Nuclear chemistry laboratory
Conserve mass and atomic numbers through decay, then calculate mass defect and binding energy.
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Scientific learning path
- 01UnderstandLive
- 02ExploreLive
- 03ExperimentLive
- 04ObserveLive
- 05ExplainLive
- 06ApplyLive
- 07TestLive
Explanation mode
23892X
Parent nuclide
23490X
Daughter nuclide
⁴₂He
Emitted particle or photon
Description of this simulation
A=238, Z=92 undergoes alpha decay to A=234, Z=90, emitting ⁴₂He.
Quick test · 3 questions
- Mass defect
- 1.934203 u
- Total binding energy
- 1801.70 MeV
- Binding energy per nucleon
- 7.570 MeV
Learning guide
- Learning objective
- Balance nuclear equations and distinguish decay bookkeeping from nuclear binding energy.
- Core equation
- A and Z are conserved; E=Δmc²; 1 u c²=931.494 MeV
- Why the result changes
- Each decay mode changes proton and neutron counts in a defined way while conserving charge and nucleon number.
- Try this challenge
- Compare alpha and beta-minus decay of the same A and Z and explain the different daughters.
- Sources
- AME2020/NUBASE2020; CODATA 2022
What this model shows — and what it simplifies
Educational ModelA and Z conservation determine the daughter; mass defect converted with E = Δmc² gives nuclear binding energy.
Where do we see this in real life?
Nuclear chemistry enables imaging, cancer treatment, dating, smoke detection, power and isotope tracing.
Explain this result
Scientific review record
Building- Module version
- v1 bundled
- Published
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- Last reviewed
- Not yet verified
- Academic level
- School
- Reviewer
- Not publicly assigned
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