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Transmutation is a process of converting a number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus to produce an atom of different atomic numbers. When we say a substance transmutes, it means that the substance has lost its original form to get converted into a new form.
- In general usage, the word transmutation refers to any transformation from one form to another.
- The word is derived from the Latin word ‘transmutare’, which simply means, alternating from one form to another form.
- The process involves changing the identity of an atom into another element or isotope.
- The first artificial transmutation was proposed by Lord Rutherford in 1911.
- He bombarded alpha particles of nitrogen-14 for the production of oxygen-17 with protons.
- It can be calculated either by nuclear reactions or by the radioactive decay process.
Key Terms: Transmutation, Nuclear Fusion, Nuclear Fission, Chemistry Transmutation, Transmutation Chemical Equations, Nuclear Reaction, Atomic Radiation, Radioactivity, Radioactive Materials, Transmutation Reactions
What is Transmutation?
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In chemistry, transmutation is converting a chemical element or an isotope into another chemical element by changing the number of protons.
- In this process, the conversion can take place in two ways: natural and synthetic.
- Natural transmutation has created many heavier chemical elements by the process of stellar nucleosynthesis.
- Some radioactive elements on Earth’s crust tend to undergo radioactive decay under natural conditions.
- These elements readily participate in chemical reactions that result in the formation of new radioactive or non-radioactive elements, with some emissions as the by-product, which are called nuclear reactions.
- Hence, nuclear reactions explain the concept of transmutation.
- In this process, the nucleus changes the number of protons to produce an atom with a different atomic number.
- Lord Rutherford, in 1911, performed the first artificial transmutation when he bombarded alpha particles on Nitrogen-14 to produce Oxygen-17 with protons.
147N + 42He → 178O + 11H
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Fusion and Fission Reaction
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There are two types of nuclear reactions, namely, nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
Nuclear Fusion
The nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei merge or combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles is known as Nuclear Fusion.
- The word fusion means to amalgamate, to merge or to combine.
- The process of nuclear fusion also witnesses a difference in the masses of the reactants and products due to either energy release or energy absorption.
Nuclear Fission
The nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei is known as Nuclear Fission. The word fission means splitting. The process of nuclear fission usually produces gamma photons and releases large amounts of energy.
Chemical Transmutation Definition
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Chemical transmutation is the process of converting one element into another through a series of chemical reactions. These reactions involve natural decay of elements, which involves a change in energy.
- Transmutation involves transforming a substance from one state into another by the creation of new elements with a change in atomic number.
- The example of chemical transmutation is as follows:
Example of Transmutation: Conversion of Uranium-238 to Plutonium-239Uranium-238 (non fissile) can be transmuted to Plutonium-239 (fissile) by the following chemical reaction:
Conversion of Uranium-238 to Plutonium-239 Here, Uranium-238, through the absorption of a neutron (n) and the emission of a quantum of energy known as a gamma ray (γ), becomes the isotope Uranium-239.
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Transmutation Reactions
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Transmutation elements are formed from radioactive elements, which emit radiation, such as alpha, beta, or gamma rays. Natural transmutation is a spontaneous process that has created the majority of elements in the universe, including helium, oxygen, and carbon.
- This process involves a series of chemical reactions with unstable radioactive elements.
- It results in the formation of elements like uranium 238, which is transmuted to form 206, which is a stable element.
- On the other hand, artificial transmutation is carried out in nuclear reactors by bombarding particles like neutrons.
- Some common examples of transmutation reactions are as follows:
131 53I ------→ 131 54 Xe + 0 -1e
14 7N + 4 2He ------→ 1 1 H + 17 0
222 88Ra ------→ 4 2He + 218 86 Rn
²²₁₁ Na → ²²₁₀ Ne + ⁰₋₁ e
Transmutation Chemistry Equations
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The transmutation chemistry equations involve balancing equations in which the mass number of the reactants and products must be conserved.
- When more than one reactant and product are formed, then the sum of the mass numbers remains the same before and after the reaction.
- This results in the emission of particles of varying amounts, which is called a chain reaction.
- In some equations, an element captures its own electron and results in the formation of a new element.
- This process is also called K-capture, in which Ruthenium is converted into Tc.
¹0044 Re + ⁰₋₁ e → ¹0043 Tc
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Things to Remember
- Transmutation, also known as nuclear transmutation, involves a change in the nucleus of an atom with a change in atomic number.
- In nuclear reactions, neutrons are present in the reactants as well as in the products.
- Nuclear Fission reactions release large amounts of energy.
- In nuclear fusion, two or more atomic nuclei combine to form one or more different nuclei.
- Frederick Soddy and Ernest Rutherford first observed the transmutation in 1901 when they observed thorium converted into radium via radioactive decay.
Previous Year Questions
- What is not true for equipotential surface for uniform electric field?
- Given the masses of various atomic particles…?
- Find the binding energy per nucleon for…?
- Condiser the nuclear fission…?
- A radioactive nucleus decays by two different processes. The half life for the first process is…?
- The activity of a radioactive sample falls from…?
- Two radioactive materials A and B have decay constants…?
Sample Questions
Ques: What is Transmutation? (2 marks)
Ans: Transmutation refers to the conversion of one chemical element into another. This happens when the structure of the atom's nucleus is altered. Transmutation is derived from the Latin word ‘Transmutare’, which simply means, changing from one form to another.
Ques: What is transmutation in chemistry? (2 marks)
Ans: In chemistry, transmutation is the process of conversion of one element into another. In the process of transmutation, the conversion can take place in two ways, the first is through natural means and the other one is through synthetic means.
Ques: What is a nuclear fusion reaction? (2 marks)
Ans: The nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei merge or combine to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles, is known as Nuclear Fusion. The word fusion means to amalgamate, to merge or to combine. The process of nuclear fusion also witnesses a difference in the masses of the reactants and products due to either energy release or energy absorption.
Ques: What are the applications of transmutations? (3 marks)
Ans: Transmutation has various applications, including:
- Production of new elements (elements beyond naturally occurring ones)
- Medical isotope production for diagnostic procedures and treatments
- Potential future use in nuclear waste management (converting long-lived radioactive waste into shorter-lived or stable isotopes)
Ques: What is a nuclear fission reaction? (3 marks)
Ans: Nuclear fission is a process where the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation.
- A heavy atomic nucleus, typically an isotope of uranium (like Uranium-235) or plutonium, acts as the starting point.
- This nucleus is bombarded by a neutron (often a slow-moving neutron).
- The neutron collides with the nucleus, making it unstable.
Ques: Explain the transmutation of Uranium-238 to Plutonium-239? (4 marks)
Ans: Uranium-238, through the absorption of a neutron (n) and the emission of a quantum of energy known as a gamma ray (γ), becomes the isotope Uranium-239. Over a certain period of time (approximately 23.5 minutes), Uranium-239 loses a negatively charged electron, or beta particle (β-); this loss of a negative charge raises the positive charge of the atom by one proton so that it is effectively transformed into the element Neptunium (Np; with an atomic number of 93, one more than that of Uranium). Neptunium-239 in turn undergoes beta decay, being transformed into plutonium-239 (atomic number 94).
Ques: Who performed the first artificial mutation reaction? (1 mark)
Ans: The first artificial transmutation was performed by Lord Rutherford in 1911. He bombarded alpha particles on Nitrogen-14 to produce Oxygen-17 with protons.
Ques: What are two types of transmutation? (2 marks)
Ans: Natural and artificial transmutation are two types of transmutation. The radioactive decay of an isotope is an example of natural transmutation. The nucleus undergoes changes due to alpha or beta decay to form a new element. When particles are fired at target atoms within particle accelerators, unusual elements are created. This process is known as artificial transmutation.
Ques: What is radioactive decay? (4 marks)
Ans: Radioactive Decay is a spontaneous process where an unstable nucleus within an atom emits particles and transforms into a different element. This doesn't involve any external influence.
- Alpha Decay: Emission of an alpha particle (two protons and two neutrons) from the nucleus.
- Beta Decay: Emission of either a beta particle (electron) or a positron (anti-electron) along with a neutrino.
- Electron Capture: An electron from the atom's electron cloud is captured by the nucleus, transforming a proton into a neutron.
Ques: What are the criteria for balancing Transmutation Chemistry Equations? (4 marks)
Ans: In a nuclear transition, the mass numbers of reactants and products need to be preserved. If there are many reactants or products, the total mass values before and after the chemical reaction must not change. In a similar vein, during any transmutation process, electric charge must be conserved.
- The process releases certain particles, some of which may be more or less energetic.
- These particles can carry on the process and are sometimes known as chain reactions.
- According to certain transmutation equations, an element takes up its own electron and transforms into a new element.
- This is known as K-capture, similar to how K-capture turns Ruthenium to Tc.
Ques: What are the advantages of transmutations? (4 marks)
Ans: The advantages of transmutations are as follows:
- Nuclear Waste Management: Nuclear power generation produces radioactive waste products. Transmutation has the potential to address this challenge by converting long-lived radioactive isotopes in the waste into shorter-lived or even stable isotopes.
- Medical Isotope Production: Certain transmutation reactions can create isotopes with specific radioactive properties useful in medicine. These isotopes can be used for diagnostic imaging techniques (like PET scans) or targeted radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
- Fuel Recycling: In some nuclear reactors, transmutation can be used to "recycle" spent nuclear fuel. This involves separating out usable fissile material (like plutonium) from the waste and converting it into a form that can be used again in reactors.
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