PHYS 3330 Module 5.2

Artificial Production of Radionuclides

Recommended Reading

Module 5.2: Artificial Production of RadionuclidesDownload

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Explain the methods used for the artificial production of radioactive nuclides and their applications in medicine.

Nuclear Reactions

Practice!

Practice 5.2.1
What is the Q value for this reaction?
A. 8.4 MeV
B. 6.2 MeV
C. 7.3 MeV
D. 5.7 MeV
E. 3.5 MeV

Discuss!

When the isotope 27Al is irradiated with alpha particles, the products from each aluminum nucleus are a neutron and a nuclide that emits positrons to give the stable isotope 30Si. 

Write nuclear equations for these two processes.