What is nuclear transmutation used for?

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another chemical element. Nuclear transmutation occurs in any process where the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is changed.

What is required for nuclear transmutation to occur?

A transmutation can be achieved either by nuclear reactions (in which an outside particle reacts with a nucleus) or by radioactive decay (where no outside particle is needed). Therefore, in nuclear transmutation, an atom has its “identity” (e.g. atomic mass) “lost” (changed) due to nucleon alteration.

What is nuclear transmutation in physics?

transmutation, conversion of one chemical element into another. A transmutation entails a change in the structure of atomic nuclei and hence may be induced by a nuclear reaction (q.v.), such as neutron capture, or occur spontaneously by radioactive decay, such as alpha decay and beta decay (qq. v.).

How does nuclear transmutation differ from radioactivity?

The key difference between radioactivity and transmutation is that radioactivity refers to natural transmutation, whereas transmutation refers to the change of one chemical element into another via either natural or artificial means.

What is transmutation in nuclear chemistry?

transmutation, conversion of one chemical element into another. A transmutation entails a change in the structure of atomic nuclei and hence may be induced by a nuclear reaction (q.v.), such as neutron capture, or occur spontaneously by radioactive decay, such as alpha decay and beta decay (qq.

How does nuclear transmutation process occur in particle accelerator?

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or isotope into another. This occurs either through nuclear reactions in which an outside particle reacts with a nucleus, which can be supplied by a particle accelerator, or through radioactive decay, where no outside particle is needed.

How does nuclear transmutation differ from radioactivity Support your answer with suitable examples?

Transmutation through radioactive decay is a natural process that occurs spontaneously. Transmutation through nuclear reactions does not have to be spontaneous and can be used in synthesis reactions to create new elements.

What is the difference between nuclear transmutation and artificial radioactivity?

Nuclear transmutation is the change of one chemical element to another due to change in the number of protons or neutrons in a nucleus. Artificial radioactivity is the process of activating a stable element through radiation.

What are the differences between radioactive decay and nuclear transmutation?

Nuclear decay reactions occur spontaneously under all conditions and produce more stable daughter nuclei, whereas nuclear transmutation reactions are induced and form a product nucleus that is more massive than the starting material.

How is nuclear transmutation achieved practice?

Explanation: Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one chemical element or an isotope into another. A transmutation can be achieved either by nuclear reactions (in which an outside particle reacts with a nucleus) or by radioactive decay (where no outside particle is needed).

How does nuclear transmutation different from radioactivity?