Scribd
Upload
4 views2 pages

2

The nucleus is the central part of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, where most of the atom's mass and positive charge is concentrated. Key terms include atomic number (number of protons), mass number (total of protons and neutrons), and concepts like isotopes and radioactivity. Nuclear reactions such as fission and fusion involve the splitting or combining of nuclei, releasing significant energy.

Uploaded by

khadijashaikh0007
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views2 pages

2

The nucleus is the central part of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons, where most of the atom's mass and positive charge is concentrated. Key terms include atomic number (number of protons), mass number (total of protons and neutrons), and concepts like isotopes and radioactivity. Nuclear reactions such as fission and fusion involve the splitting or combining of nuclei, releasing significant energy.

Uploaded by

khadijashaikh0007
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1. What is a Nucleus?

 The nucleus is the tiny central part of an atom where almost all the mass and
positive charge of the atom is concentrated.

 It consists of two types of particles: protons (positive charge) and neutrons (no
charge).

 Protons and neutrons are collectively called nucleons.

📌 2. Important Terms

 Atomic Number (Z): Number of protons in the nucleus.

 Mass Number (A): Total number of protons + neutrons in the nucleus.

 Isotopes: Nuclei with same Z but different A (i.e., same element but different number
of neutrons).

 Isobars: Nuclei with same A but different Z.

 Isotones: Nuclei with same number of neutrons but different Z and A.

📌 3. Size & Density

 The nucleus is very small (~10⁻¹⁵ m) compared to the whole atom (~10⁻¹⁰ m).

 Nuclear density is extremely high (~10¹⁷ kg/m³) and roughly same for all nuclei.

📌 4. Mass Defect & Binding Energy

 When protons and neutrons form a nucleus, the total mass of the nucleus is less
than the sum of individual masses. This difference is called mass defect.

 This missing mass appears as binding energy, which holds the nucleus together.

📌 5. Radioactivity

 Radioactivity is the spontaneous breakdown of an unstable nucleus with the


emission of radiation like α (alpha), β (beta), and γ (gamma) rays.

 α-decay: Nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons + 2 neutrons).

 β-decay: Nucleus emits a beta particle (electron or positron) changing the atomic
number but not the mass number.
 γ-decay: Emission of high-energy electromagnetic radiation without change in
particles.

📌 6. Nuclear Reactions

 Nuclear Fission: A heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei releasing energy.

 Nuclear Fusion: Light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus releasing even more
energy (important in stars).

📌 Quick Recap

✔ Nucleus = dense central part of atom with protons & neutrons.


✔ Atomic number (Z) = number of protons; Mass number (A) = protons + neutrons.
✔ Radioactivity results from unstable nuclei.
✔ Fission & fusion are nuclear reactions that release large energy

You might also like