Build a Nucleus

1. Introduction

Topics

• Nuclear Physics
• Nuclear Decay
• Isotope
• Chart of Nuclides
• Nuclear Shell Model

Learning Goals

• Explain how the changing the number of neutrons or protons affects the atomic number and isotope species.
• Describe how different decays will change the nucleons in the nucleus and if that changes the symbol of the atom being shown and affects parameters like atomic number/atomic mass.
• Predict the shell model depiction of an isotope based on the isotope symbol or name.
• Find the isotope on the nuclide chart using the symbol, name, or the number of protons and neutrons.
• Predict the resulting isotope and the decay path of an isotope from its position on the nuclide chart.