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IB SQA National 5 Chemistry Unit 3 - Chemistry in Society > Ch 4. Nuclear Chemistry > Flashcards

Ch 4. Nuclear Chemistry Flashcards

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1
Q

What is nuclear fusion?

A

A reaction in which the nucleus of one element fuses with the nucleus of a different element, creating the nucleus of a heavier element.

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2
Q

Under what conditions can nuclear fusion occur?

A

High heat and pressure.

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3
Q

Give an example of a nuclear fusion reaction.

A

Hydrogen (Mass no. 1) + Hydrogen (Mass no. 2) = Helium (Mass no. 3)

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4
Q

What is released in a nuclear fusion reaction?

A

Huge amounts of energy, in the form of;
light,
heat,
and cosmic rays

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5
Q

What are cosmic rays (or cosmic radiation)?

A

A form of radiation which comes from the Sun.

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6
Q

What is an isotope?

A

Atoms with the same atomic number, but different mass numbers (number of neutrons).

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7
Q

Why does nuclear fusion occur?

A

Some isotopes are naturally unstable.

Changes in the nucleus allow the atom to become more stable.

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8
Q

What effect does nuclear fusion have?

A

The changes to the nucleus produce energy and small particles which fire out from the nucleus. The energy and particles are known as radiation and the unstable atoms are described as radioisotopes.

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9
Q

How does nuclear fusion occur?

A
  1. Unstable isotopes disintegrate (decay) spontaneously.
  2. As they decay, they emit particles of radiation and release energy.
  3. The isotopes become more stable in the process.
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10
Q

What does the stability of an atom depend on?

A

The ratio of protons to neutrons in its nucleus.

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11
Q

What is background radiation?

A

Radiation we receive everyday. It can come from many artificial and natural sources.

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12
Q

How can radioisotopes become more stable?

A

By emitting radioactive particles or re-arranging themselves whilst releasing energy.

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13
Q

What are the 3 common types of radiation particles?

A
  1. Alpha
  2. Beta
  3. Gamma
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14
Q

How many protons and neutrons are found in the nucleus of an alpha particle?

A

2 protons. 2 neutrons.

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15
Q

What is the mass of an alpha particle?

A

4 amu

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16
Q

What is the charge of an alpha particle?

A

positive (+2)

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17
Q

How can alpha particles be stopped?

A

Due to their size they are relatively heavy and slow moving. They do not travel very far in the air and can be stopped by a few cm of air of a sheet of paper.

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18
Q

How are Beta particles formed?

A

Beta particles consist of a high energy/speed electron which is formed when a neutron splits into a proton and an electron.

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19
Q

What is the mass of a Beta particle?

A

0 amu

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20
Q

What is the charge of a Beta particle?

A

negative (-1)

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21
Q

What material must be used to stop Beta particles?

A

Since Beta can penetrate much further than alpha particles, the require a thin sheet of aluminium to stop them.

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22
Q

How are Gamma rays formed?

A

Gamma rays are pure energy and are formed when a the protons and neutrons rearrange themselves in the nucleus.

23
Q

What is the mass of a Gamma particle?

A

0 amu

24
Q

What is the charge of a Gamma particle?

A

Neutral (0)

25
Q

How fast can Gamma rays travel?

A

The speed of light. (as do all electromagnetic waves)/

26
Q

How can Gamma rays be stopped?

A

They can penetrate through several cm of metal and are only stopped by thick blocks of lead or concrete.

27
Q

Which radioactive particle causes the most damage to humans?

A

Alpha. But only if it gets inside our bodies.

28
Q

Which radioactive particle causes the least damage to humans?

A

Gamma. However these can pass through our bodies and so harm a larger area.

29
Q

What is nuclear decay?

A

This is where the nucleus of a radioisotope goes through a change that causes a radioactive particle to be released and a new element to form.

30
Q

How can we tell when an element has changed by nuclear decay?

A

The number of protons in the nucleus will always change.

31
Q

What 3 things can Nuclide Notation be used to show?

A
  1. The atomic no. (charge)
  2. The mass number of the radioisotopes
  3. The radioactive particles emitted.
32
Q

What can alpha particles be compared to?

A

The nucleus of a helium atom.

33
Q

What is lost during alpha decay?

How is this noticed in nuclide notation?

A

Two protons and two neutrons.

The mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number by two.

34
Q

Look at the equations showing nuclear decay

A

in notes.

35
Q

What can Beta particles be compared to?

A

An electron with no mass and a negative charge.

36
Q

What happens to Beta during nuclear decay?

How is this noticed in Nuclide notation?

A

A neutron splits into a proton and a high speed electron, which is ejected. This causes the atomic number to go up by one but the mass to stay the same.

37
Q

What happens to Gamma during nuclear decay?

A

This results in the release of energy but no change to the atomic number or mass number.

38
Q

What other particles are involved in nuclear or radioactive decay?

A

Protons and neutrons.

39
Q

Look at Diagram

A

Find this in notes under heading ‘EXPERIMENT - RADIOACTIVITY AND CHARGE’

40
Q

What equipment is used to detect different radiations?

A

The Geiger-Muller Tube, connected to a counter.

41
Q

See Diagram

A

Find this in notes under heading

‘EXPERIMENT - PENETRATING POWER’

42
Q

What are radioactive particles (Gamma, Alpha and Beta) referred to as and why?

A

Ionising radiation. Because when they hit neutral atoms and molecules they will cause them to be ionised.

43
Q

What happens if a radioactive sample is placed next to a Geiger counter and left?

A

The level of radiation will gradually fall over time.

44
Q

If a graph of counts/minute against time is plotted when measuring radiation, what is found?

A

The shape of the graph is always the same (exponential) no matter what radioisotope is used.

45
Q

What happens to the rate of radioactive decay as time goes on?

A

The slope of the decay curve decreases i.e. the rate of radioactive decay decreases.

46
Q

What is the rate of radioactive decay affected by?

A

The mass of the radioisotope present.

Unlike ordinary chemical reactions, it is not affected by temperature, pressure or catalysts.

47
Q

What is half life when referring to radioisotopes?

A

The time taken for the radioisotopes mass or activity to fall by half. Each radioisotope has a unique half life.

48
Q

What symbol is used to represent half life?

A

t1/2

49
Q

Practice Calculating Half life.

A

See Notes

50
Q

To which fields are the properties of radioisotopes beneficial for solving problems?

A

Industry, Medicine, and Energy generation.

51
Q

What 6 examples is radiation used for in everyday life?

A
  1. Smoke alarms
  2. Industry
  3. Inside Jet Engines
  4. Tracing movements of water
  5. Medicine
  6. Generating electricity
52
Q

How is radiation harmful?

A

Exposure to radiation can cause living cells int he human body to die or mutate, causing cancer, horrific birth defects, burns to the skin and in cases of acute exposure, death.

53
Q

Read pg 120 of N5 Textbook about The uses of Radioisotopes.

A

Learn one or two from each.

IB SQA National 5 Chemistry Unit 3 - Chemistry in Society (4 decks)

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