| Copyright © 2009 by William L. Stubbs |
The alpha-beta theory provides a framework for modeling the nucleus of the atom that produces models
that agree well with measured masses. A further test of its validity is its ability to address various observed
nuclear phenomena. Among these are beta decay, alpha decay, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and
spontaneous fission.
Beta decay is the expulsion of either a positive or a negative beta particle by the nucleus in order to become
more stable. With alpha-beta theory proposing that each nucleon in a nucleus is made of over 1,800 beta
particles, it can address beta decay simpler and more directly than traditional nuclear theory.
Conventional thinking is that alpha decay occurs because as the nucleus gets larger, the repulsive Coulomb
forces produced by additional protons slowly overtake the short-ranged strong forces holding the nucleus
together. In alpha-beta theory, alpha decay occurs when an alpha particle attached to a nucleus with one
bond, loses that bond, and no longer links to the nucleus.
Nucear fission fires neutrons into very heavy nuclei, usually uranium or plutonium, where they split the
nucleus, releasing energy. While it is clearly known how to induce fission, what actually happens inside the
nucleus remains a black box to some extent. The design of the uranium and plutonium nuclei in alpha-beta
theory allows for a simple, straightforward explanation of the nuclear fission process.
Nuclear fusion is another nuclear process used to produce energy. Known to be the process that powers
the stars,fusion is simply bringing to light nucei together to form a heavier one. The alpha-beta models of
deuterium and tritium offer simple physical explanations for the fusion cross sections observed and why the
deuterium-tritium reaction is the more attractive of the choices.
Finally, many isotopes beyond thorium-232 can decay by spontaneous fission, which occurs when a nucleus
splits into two, seemingly unprovoked. The alpha-beta models of these nuclei provide a mechanism for the
occurrence of this phenomenon.
that agree well with measured masses. A further test of its validity is its ability to address various observed
nuclear phenomena. Among these are beta decay, alpha decay, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and
spontaneous fission.
Beta decay is the expulsion of either a positive or a negative beta particle by the nucleus in order to become
more stable. With alpha-beta theory proposing that each nucleon in a nucleus is made of over 1,800 beta
particles, it can address beta decay simpler and more directly than traditional nuclear theory.
Conventional thinking is that alpha decay occurs because as the nucleus gets larger, the repulsive Coulomb
forces produced by additional protons slowly overtake the short-ranged strong forces holding the nucleus
together. In alpha-beta theory, alpha decay occurs when an alpha particle attached to a nucleus with one
bond, loses that bond, and no longer links to the nucleus.
Nucear fission fires neutrons into very heavy nuclei, usually uranium or plutonium, where they split the
nucleus, releasing energy. While it is clearly known how to induce fission, what actually happens inside the
nucleus remains a black box to some extent. The design of the uranium and plutonium nuclei in alpha-beta
theory allows for a simple, straightforward explanation of the nuclear fission process.
Nuclear fusion is another nuclear process used to produce energy. Known to be the process that powers
the stars,fusion is simply bringing to light nucei together to form a heavier one. The alpha-beta models of
deuterium and tritium offer simple physical explanations for the fusion cross sections observed and why the
deuterium-tritium reaction is the more attractive of the choices.
Finally, many isotopes beyond thorium-232 can decay by spontaneous fission, which occurs when a nucleus
splits into two, seemingly unprovoked. The alpha-beta models of these nuclei provide a mechanism for the
occurrence of this phenomenon.
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