atomic structure and radioactivity
TRANSCRIPT
Atomic Structure/Atomic Structure/Radioactivity Radioactivity
Excitation/IonizationExcitation/Ionization
Takes a specific/exact amount of E to Takes a specific/exact amount of E to excite an eexcite an e-- from one state to the next from one state to the next
E in addition to this can ionizeE in addition to this can ionize Result = ion pairResult = ion pair
This a key concept in HP as it is the This a key concept in HP as it is the method by which E is transferred to method by which E is transferred to living materialliving material
Some Key PointsSome Key Points
All matter composed All matter composed of combinations of of combinations of elementselements
Smallest piece of Smallest piece of element that retains element that retains characteristics is an characteristics is an atomatom
Known elements Known elements arranged on periodic arranged on periodic table according to table according to their chemical their chemical characteristicscharacteristics
118, or so, elements 118, or so, elements discovered, only 92 discovered, only 92 occur naturallyoccur naturally
Atomic ModelsAtomic Models
Solar systemSolar system Problems…Problems…
Planetary – BohrPlanetary – Bohr Maybe classical EM theory doesn’t apply Maybe classical EM theory doesn’t apply
to atomic electronsto atomic electrons Used Planck’s Quantum Theory – atomic Used Planck’s Quantum Theory – atomic
model we use todaymodel we use today
Planetary Model of the Atom
1)Protons (nucleus)
1)Positive charge
2)Large mass
2)Neutrons (nucleus)
1)No charge
2)Large mass
3)Electrons
1)Negative charge
2)Small mass
• Charge on an electron is equal but opposite the charge on a proton.
• An ion is an atom that has either lost or gained electrons and therefore has a net charge
• Electrons “orbit” nucleus
• Force of attraction between e- and nucleus balanced by centrifugal force of revolution
• A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons (zero net charge)
Fundamental PostulatesFundamental Postulates
Electron can only revolve around Electron can only revolve around nucleus in fixed radii – stationary statenucleus in fixed radii – stationary state
Photon is emitted ONLY when e- falls Photon is emitted ONLY when e- falls from orbit of higher energy to one of from orbit of higher energy to one of lowerlower
When this happens we get what?When this happens we get what?
Characteristic X-rayCharacteristic X-ray
What is What is happening?happening?
Application?Application?
Nuclear StructureNuclear Structure
What do we find in the nucleus?What do we find in the nucleus?
Neutrons (n) and protons (p)Neutrons (n) and protons (p)- Most of the mass of an atom is in - Most of the mass of an atom is in the nucleusthe nucleus
- Mass of a proton is 1836 times - Mass of a proton is 1836 times greater than the mass of the electrongreater than the mass of the electron
P and N about equalP and N about equal
What are nucleons comprised of?
Useful DefinitionsUseful Definitions
Atomic number (Z):Atomic number (Z): No. of protons No. of protons (electrons) in a given neutral atom (electrons) in a given neutral atom determines the elementdetermines the element
Atomic mass (A):Atomic mass (A): No. of neutrons No. of neutrons plusplus the number of protons in an the number of protons in an atomatom
Neutron Number (N):Neutron Number (N): Number of Number of neutrons in an atomneutrons in an atom
Useful DefinitionsUseful Definitions
Isotope:Isotope: Atoms with the same Z but Atoms with the same Z but different Adifferent A
Isotone:Isotone: Same N Same N
Isobar:Isobar: Same A Same A
• Light stable isotopes (Z<20) have N approximately equal to Z
• Heavy stable isotopes (Z>20) have N greater than Z
• Neutrons act as “spacers” to reduce electric repulsion between the protons in nucleus
Proton Mass = 1.007277 u
Neutron Mass = 1.008665 u
Neutron Mass
+ Proton Mass = 2.015942 u
Deuteron Mass = 2.013553 u
Missing Mass
(N + P – D) = 0.002389 u
What happened to the mass?????
Answer: It is converted into binding energy according to Einstein’s mass energy relation
E=mc2
For the deuteron example, this is
2.22 MeV of energy. If we want to break the deuteron apart we must give this energy back.
Units of energy : 1 calorie = 4.186 Joule
1 Btu = 252 calorie
1 MeV = 1.6 10 -13 Joule
akamass decrementmass defect
What is actually more important is the binding energy per nucleon
For Deuterium: BE/A = 2.22 MeV/2 = 1.11 MeV
Atomic Mass No (A)
Note that iron (Fe) has the highest binding energy per nucleon. This is the most stable element in nature in that it requires more energy per particle to break it apart than anything else.
Fusion energy comes from combining light elements to make heavier ones (increase binding energy per nucleon for elements lighter than iron).
Fission energy comes from breaking heavy elements into lighter ones (increase binding energy per nucleon for elements heavier than iron).
Nuclear TransformationNuclear Transformation
When the atomic nucleus undergoes When the atomic nucleus undergoes spontaneous transformation, called spontaneous transformation, called radioactive decayradioactive decay, radiation is emitted, radiation is emitted If the daughter nucleus is stable, this If the daughter nucleus is stable, this
spontaneous transformation endsspontaneous transformation ends If the daughter is unstable, the process If the daughter is unstable, the process
continues until a stable nuclide is reachedcontinues until a stable nuclide is reached
Nuclear TransformationNuclear Transformation
Radionuclides decay in one or more Radionuclides decay in one or more of the following ways: (a) alpha of the following ways: (a) alpha decay, (b) beta-minus emission, (c) decay, (b) beta-minus emission, (c) beta-plus (positron) emission, (d) beta-plus (positron) emission, (d) electron capture, (e) internal electron capture, (e) internal conversion, or (f) spontaneous conversion, or (f) spontaneous fission.fission.
Alpha Decay
An alpha () particle is composed of two protons and two neutrons, thus its atomic mass is 4 and its atomic number is 2. (Note: this is a He-4 nucleus)
XZ
A
Example
YZ-2
A-4
2
4
Th90
232
Ra88
228
2
4
Occurs with heavy nuclides (Z > 82)
Beta-Minus (Negatron) Beta-Minus (Negatron) DecayDecay
Beta-minus (Beta-minus (--) decay: occurs with ) decay: occurs with radionuclides that have high n:p ratioradionuclides that have high n:p ratio
A A 0Z Z 1 -1X Y β
Beta-Plus Decay (Positron Beta-Plus Decay (Positron Emission)Emission)
Beta-plus (Beta-plus (++) decay occurs with ) decay occurs with radionuclides that have low n:p ratio radionuclides that have low n:p ratio
Eventual fate of positron is to annihilate Eventual fate of positron is to annihilate with its antiparticle (an electron), yielding with its antiparticle (an electron), yielding two 0.511 MeV photons emitted in two 0.511 MeV photons emitted in opposite directionsopposite directions
A A 0Z Z-1 1X Y β
Ra88
228
Ac89
228
-1
0
Examples of Beta Decay
C6
11
B5
11
1
0
Beta Plus Decay
Beta Minus Decay
Electron Capture Electron Capture
Alternative to positron decay Alternative to positron decay Nucleus captures an orbital (usually K- or L-Nucleus captures an orbital (usually K- or L-
shell) electronshell) electron
Electron capture radionuclides used in Electron capture radionuclides used in medical imaging decay to atoms in excited medical imaging decay to atoms in excited states that subsequently emit detectable states that subsequently emit detectable gamma raysgamma rays
A 0 AZ -1 Z-1X e Y
Alternative emission:Alternative emission:Isomeric TransitionIsomeric Transition
During radioactive decay, a daughter may During radioactive decay, a daughter may be formed in an excited statebe formed in an excited state
Gamma rays emitted as the daughter Gamma rays emitted as the daughter nucleus transitions from the excited state to nucleus transitions from the excited state to a lower-energy statea lower-energy state
No mass/charge therefore, no change in No mass/charge therefore, no change in elementelement
Am AZ ZX X
In spontaneous fission, an atom splits instead of emitting an alpha or beta particle. Very common for heavy elements. Usually also results in neutron emissions
Example:
Spontaneous Fission
Fm100
256
Xe54
140
Pd46
112
n0
1
4
Line of StabilityLine of Stability
N=P
Proton
Neu
tron
β-
ec, β+, α
Decay SchemesDecay Schemes
Each decay process is unique to that Each decay process is unique to that radionuclideradionuclide
Majority of pertinent information about the Majority of pertinent information about the decay process and its associated radiation decay process and its associated radiation can be summarized in a line diagram can be summarized in a line diagram called a called a decay schemedecay scheme
Decay schemes identify the parent, Decay schemes identify the parent, daughter, mode of decay, intermediate daughter, mode of decay, intermediate excited states, energy levels, radiation excited states, energy levels, radiation emissions, and sometimes physical half-lifeemissions, and sometimes physical half-life
Radioactive decay seriesOften times the products of a radioactive decay are themselves radioactive. These products will continue to decaying until we reach a stable isotope.
222222RnRn
decaydecay
3.8 day3.8 day218218PoPo
decaydecay
3.1 min3.1 min214214PbPb
214214BiBi 214214PoPo
- - decaydecay
26.8 26.8 minmin
- - decaydecay
19.9 19.9 minmin
decaydecay
164164sesecc
210210PbPb
General Format for Decay General Format for Decay SchemesSchemes
β-(E, %)β+
Radionuclide
Final productγ
ecDecay Mechanism
Determining Dtr Product in Determining Dtr Product in Chart of NuclidesChart of Nuclides
OriginalNucleus
p in
n out
p out
n in
β- out
β+, ec out
out
in
Decay ConstantDecay Constant
Number of atoms decaying per unit Number of atoms decaying per unit time is proportional to the number of time is proportional to the number of unstable atomsunstable atoms
Constant of proportionality is the Constant of proportionality is the decay constantdecay constant ( ())
dN/dt = -dN/dt = - N N
A = A = N NUnits = time -1
Physical Half-LifePhysical Half-Life
= ln 2/t1/2 = 0.693/t1/2
Physical half-life and decay constant Physical half-life and decay constant are inversely related and unique for are inversely related and unique for each radionuclideeach radionuclide
The half-life of various isotopes can range from billions of years to small fractions of a second.
IsotopeIsotope Half-LifeHalf-Life
TritiumTritium 12.26 years (beta 12.26 years (beta minus)minus)
Strontium 90Strontium 90 28.8 years (beta minus)28.8 years (beta minus)
Cesium 137Cesium 137 30.2 years (beta minus)30.2 years (beta minus)
Carbon 14Carbon 14 5730 years (beta minus)5730 years (beta minus)
Radon 222Radon 222 3.8 days (alpha)3.8 days (alpha)
Polonium 218Polonium 218 3.1 minutes (alpha)3.1 minutes (alpha)
Polonium 214Polonium 214 164 microseconds (beta 164 microseconds (beta minus)minus)
Uranium 238 Uranium 238 4.5 billion years (alpha)4.5 billion years (alpha)
Uranium 235Uranium 235 710 million years (alpha)710 million years (alpha)
Plutonium 238Plutonium 238 86 years (alpha)86 years (alpha)
Plutonium 239Plutonium 239 24400 years (alpha)24400 years (alpha)
Plutonium 240Plutonium 240 6580 years (alpha)6580 years (alpha)
Plutonium 241Plutonium 241 13.2 years (beta minus)13.2 years (beta minus)
Fundamental Decay Fundamental Decay EquationEquation
Nt = N0e-t or At = A0e-t
where:Nt = number of radioactive atoms at time t
At = activity at time t
N0 = initial number of radioactive atoms
A0 = initial activitye = base of natural logarithm = 2.71828… = decay constant = ln 2/Tp1/2 = 0.693/Tp1/2
t = time
ActivityActivity
The The quantityquantity of radioactive material, of radioactive material, expressed as the number of radioactive expressed as the number of radioactive atoms undergoing nuclear transformation atoms undergoing nuclear transformation per unit time, is called per unit time, is called activityactivity (A) (A)
Traditionally expressed in units of curies Traditionally expressed in units of curies (Ci), where 1 Ci = 3.70E10 disintegrations (Ci), where 1 Ci = 3.70E10 disintegrations per second (dps)per second (dps)
The SI unit is the becquerel (Bq)The SI unit is the becquerel (Bq) 1 mCi = 37 MBq1 mCi = 37 MBq
1 g of Ra-226 = 3.7E10 dis/sec
Specific ActivitySpecific Activity
Defn of activity tells us nothing about Defn of activity tells us nothing about mass/volumemass/volume
SA = concentration of radioactivitySA = concentration of radioactivity
Ra Ra( / )i i
A TSA Ci gm N
A T
g/moleHalf-life
6.023E23 at/mole A g/mole
0.693 T1/2
Naturally Occurring SeriesNaturally Occurring Series
Thorium Series (4Thorium Series (4nn)) Neptunium Series (4Neptunium Series (4nn+1)+1) Uranium Series (4Uranium Series (4nn+2)+2) Actinium Series (4Actinium Series (4nn+3)+3)
AUNT
44nn
Divide mass numbers in a series by 4Divide mass numbers in a series by 4 The +1, +2, +3 is the remainder after The +1, +2, +3 is the remainder after
dividing by 4dividing by 4 Due to emission of either alpha (4 mass Due to emission of either alpha (4 mass
units) or beta (0 mass units)units) or beta (0 mass units) End point for three series is lead End point for three series is lead
Np series end is Bi-209Np series end is Bi-209 Each series named for long lived isotopeEach series named for long lived isotope
Serial TransformationSerial Transformation
rate of change = rate of formation - rate of change = rate of formation - rate of transformationrate of transformation
Equilibrium - special cases of serial Equilibrium - special cases of serial transformationtransformation Secular EquilibriumSecular Equilibrium Transient EquilibriumTransient Equilibrium No EquilibriumNo Equilibrium
CBA BA
Secular EquilibriumSecular Equilibrium
Half life of parent very much greater than Half life of parent very much greater than that of daughterthat of daughter occurs about 5-6 half-lives of dtroccurs about 5-6 half-lives of dtr
TT½ parent½ parent >> T>> T½ daughter½ daughter
AA << << BB
Activity of parent and dtr are equal if Activity of parent and dtr are equal if parent atoms decay only to dtrparent atoms decay only to dtr
Ex.Ex. 9090Sr is in secular equilibrium with Sr is in secular equilibrium with 9090YY
Secular EquilibriumSecular Equilibrium
BBNNBB = = AANNAA ( 1 - e ( 1 - e--t t ))
After 7 half lives: After 7 half lives: AANNAA = = BBNNBB
Activity of daughter = activity of parentActivity of daughter = activity of parent
Transient EquilibriumTransient Equilibrium
Half life of parent slightly greater Half life of parent slightly greater than that of daughterthan that of daughter
TT½ parent ½ parent > T> T½ daughter½ daughter
AA < < BB
Tc-99m = TransientTc-99m = Transient 9999Mo and Mo and 99m99mTcTc
Transient EquilibriumTransient Equilibrium
Equations 4.55 and 4.56Equations 4.55 and 4.56
AAB
BB
AB
AABBB
NN
Transient EquilibriumTransient Equilibrium
Total activity reaches a maximum Total activity reaches a maximum Equation 4.57Equation 4.57
After maximum, daughter seems to After maximum, daughter seems to decay with same half life as parentdecay with same half life as parent
AB
ABt
)/ln(
md
General Equation for Serial General Equation for Serial TransformationTransformation
0 ( )A BA A t tB
B A
N e e
SummarySummary
Decay = spontaneous nuclear Decay = spontaneous nuclear transformation which results in transformation which results in formation of new elementsformation of new elements Chemical properties do not affect decayChemical properties do not affect decay
Decay mechanisms…Decay mechanisms… Decay kinetics…Decay kinetics… Activity…Activity…
Radionuclide GeneratorsRadionuclide Generators
Technetium-99m has been the most Technetium-99m has been the most important radionuclide used in nuclear important radionuclide used in nuclear medicinemedicine
Short half-life (6 hours) makes it impractical Short half-life (6 hours) makes it impractical to store even a weekly supplyto store even a weekly supply
Supply problem overcome by obtaining Supply problem overcome by obtaining parent Mo-99, which has a longer half-life (67 parent Mo-99, which has a longer half-life (67 hours) and continually produces Tc-99mhours) and continually produces Tc-99m
A system for holding the parent in such a A system for holding the parent in such a way that the daughter can be easily way that the daughter can be easily separated for clinical use is called a separated for clinical use is called a radionuclide generatorradionuclide generator
Radionuclide ProductionRadionuclide Production
All radionuclides commonly All radionuclides commonly administered to patients in nuclear administered to patients in nuclear medicine are artificially producedmedicine are artificially produced
Most are produced by cyclotrons, Most are produced by cyclotrons, nuclear reactors, or radionuclide nuclear reactors, or radionuclide generatorsgenerators
CyclotronsCyclotrons
Cyclotrons produce radionuclides by Cyclotrons produce radionuclides by bombarding stable nuclei with high-energy bombarding stable nuclei with high-energy charged particlescharged particles
Most cyclotron-produced radionuclides are Most cyclotron-produced radionuclides are neutron poor and therefore decay by positron neutron poor and therefore decay by positron emission or electron captureemission or electron capture
Specialized hospital-based cyclotrons have Specialized hospital-based cyclotrons have been developed to produce positron-emitting been developed to produce positron-emitting radionuclides for positron emission tomography radionuclides for positron emission tomography (PET)(PET) Usually located near the PET imager because of Usually located near the PET imager because of
short half-lives of the radionuclides producedshort half-lives of the radionuclides produced
Nuclear ReactorsNuclear Reactors
Specialized nuclear reactors used to Specialized nuclear reactors used to produce clinically useful radionuclides from produce clinically useful radionuclides from fission products or neutron activation of fission products or neutron activation of stable target materialstable target material
Uranium-235 fission products can be Uranium-235 fission products can be chemically separated from other fission chemically separated from other fission products with essentially no stable isotopes products with essentially no stable isotopes (carrier) of the radionuclide present(carrier) of the radionuclide present
Concentration of these “carrier-free” Concentration of these “carrier-free” fission-produced radionuclides is very highfission-produced radionuclides is very high
Neutron ActivationNeutron Activation
Neutrons produced by the fission of Neutrons produced by the fission of uranium in a nuclear reactor can be used uranium in a nuclear reactor can be used to create radionuclides by bombarding to create radionuclides by bombarding stable target material placed in the reactorstable target material placed in the reactor
Process involves capture of neutrons by Process involves capture of neutrons by stable nucleistable nuclei
Almost all radionuclides produced by Almost all radionuclides produced by neutron activation decay by beta-minus neutron activation decay by beta-minus particle emissionparticle emission
Ideal RadiopharmaceuticalsIdeal Radiopharmaceuticals
Low radiation doseLow radiation dose High target/nontarget activityHigh target/nontarget activity SafetySafety ConvenienceConvenience Cost-effectivenessCost-effectiveness