CHE 107 Lecture Notes - Lecture 40: Neutron Activation Analysis, Neutron Activation, Nondestructive Testing
19 Oct 2018
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Document Summary
Nuclear chemistry: provides new tool for identifying & quantitating elements. Nuclear reactor: source of neutrons that can be used for bombarding atoms, causing some neutrons to be captured to produce radioactive isotopes. Radioactive isotopes: atoms w/ the same # of protons but a different # of neutrons: to identify radioactive isotope, it"s necessary to measure energy of gamma rays emitted as radioactivity. Neutron activation analysis: measures gamma-ray frequencies of specimens that have been bombarded w/ neutrons: provides highly sensitive & nondestructive analysis for simultaneously identifying & quantitating 20-30 trace elements. Forensic analysis has employed neutron activation on find trace elements in: metals, drugs, paint, soil, gunpowder residue, hair, since this technique requires access to nuclear reactor, it has limited value to forensic analysis. If spread onto a surface, will dry into hard film. Can best be described as consisting of pigments & additives suspended in binder: automobile manufacturers normally apply variety of coatings to body of automobile, coatings may include:
