Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Nuclear transmutation is the process of changing one chemical element or isotope into another through nuclear reactions. This can occur naturally, such as in radioactive decay, or artificially in particle accelerators and nuclear reactors.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Nuclear transmutation can occur via processes such as alpha decay, beta decay, and neutron capture.
Artificial transmutation often involves bombarding target nuclei with particles like neutrons, protons, or alpha particles.
Transuranium elements (elements beyond uranium in the periodic table) are typically produced through artificial transmutation.
During nuclear transmutation, the atomic number of the nucleus changes, resulting in a different element.
The conservation laws of mass-energy and charge are maintained during nuclear transmutation reactions.
A type of radioactive decay where an unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons), resulting in a new element with a lower atomic number.
A type of radioactive decay where a neutron is transformed into a proton (or vice versa), with the emission of an electron or positron and an antineutrino or neutrino.
Neutron Capture: A nuclear reaction where an atomic nucleus absorbs a neutron, often leading to subsequent beta decay and thus changing the element.