It is possible, under the right conditions, for us to
transform one element into another. This is done by
"slamming" a particle into a nucleus, causing the
nucleus to change and therefore the identity or the mass of
the atom. Alpha particles can be used to transform one
nucleus into another. Since the nucleus of the alpha
particle is positive and the nucleus of the atom being
bombarded is also positive, the particles will naturally repel
each other. In order to over come this repulsion, the
reaction must be performed at very high speeds (speed of
light). These speeds are achieved using particle
accelerators.
Examples of Nuclear Transformations
Nitrogen can be transformed into hydrogen by combining
its nucleus with an alpha particle. An atom of hydrogen
(proton) is produced as part of the transformation.
Aluminum-27 can be transformed into phosphorus-30 by
combining its nucleus with an alpha particle. A
neutron is produced as part of the transformation.
Other small nuclei, such as Carbon-12 and nitrogen-15 can
be used to bombard heavier nuclei.
Synthesis of Some of the Transuranium Elements
Uranium is the heaviest natural element. In 1940,
neptunium was produced by neutron bombardment of
uranium-238. The process initially give uranium-239,
which decays to neptunium-239 by the production of a beta
particle.
| Neutron Bombardment |
neptunium (Z = 93) |
|
|
americium (Z = 95) |
 |
|
|
|
| Positive-ion Bombardment |
curium (Z = 96) |
 |
|
californium (Z = 98) |
OR |
|
|
 |
|
rutherfordium (Z = 104) |
 |
|
dubnium (Z = 105) |
 |
|
seaborgium (Z = 106) |
 |