Intro To Nuclear Chem

Question 1

Mass Defect

Answer 1

Difference between the mass of an atom and the sum of the masses of the subatomic particles composing that atom

Question 2

What causes mass defect?

Answer 2

Conversion of the mass to energy when the nucleus was originally formed

Question 3

Nuclear Binding Energy

Answer 3

The energy that was released when a nucleus is formed from nucleons (E=mc^2) and the energy required to break apart the nucleus. Therefore, it’s a measure of the stability of a nucleus.

Question 4

Band of Stability

Answer 4

A stable nuclei cluster shown as a neutron to proton ratio (most stable micro are 1:1 ratio) (higher atomic masses show close to a 1:5:1 ratio; this is accounted for because proton electrostatic repulsion is greater than the effect of the nuclear forces)

Question 5

Transmutation

Answer 5

Change in the identity of a nucleus as a result of a change in the number of its protons

Question 6

Radioactive Decay

Answer 6

The spontaneous disintegration of a nucleus into a slightly lighter nucleus, accompanied by emission of particles, electromagnetic radiation, or both.

Question 7

Alpha Emission

Answer 7

An alpha particle is 2 protons and 2 neutrons (Helium atom) bound together and emitted from the nucleus during some type of radioactive decay.

Question 8

Beta Emission

Answer 8

A beta particle is an electron emitted from the nucleus when a neutron is converted to a proton.

Question 9

Positron Emission

Answer 9

A positron is a particle that is emitted from the nucleus when a proton is converted into a neutron

Question 10

Electron Capture

Answer 10

An inner orbital electron is captured, it combines with a proton, and a neutron is formed

Question 11

Gamma Emission

Answer 11

Gamma rays are high energy electromagnetic waves emitted from a nucleus as it changes from an exited state to a ground energy state. Very similar to light, yet much more dangerous. Typically occurs immediately after other types of decay.

Question 12

Nucleon

Answer 12

Description of atomic nuclei based on protons and neutrons particles

Question 13

Half Life Expressed

Answer 13

Final mass = initial mass (0.5)^#of half lives

Question 14

Nuclear Fission

Answer 14

Splitting a nucleus by bombarding it with neutrons

Question 15

Components of a Nuclear Power Plant

Answer 15

Shielding, fuel, control rods, moderator, coolant

Question 16

Atomic Bomb

Answer 16

Fission reaction

Question 17

Nuclear Fusion

Answer 17

Light mass nuclei combine to form a heavier, more stable nucleus (more energy than fission)

Question 18

Hydrogen Bomb

Answer 18

Fusion reaction

Question 19

Dangerous radiation is _

Answer 19

Ionizing

Question 20

Roentgen (Rent-gin)

Answer 20

Unit to measure nuclear radiation (based on ionization factor)

Question 21

Rem

Answer 21

Quantity of ionizing radiation that can damage human tissue compared to one roentgen of X-rays

Question 22

Radiation Detectors

Answer 22

Film badges, Geiger-Müller counter, scintillation counter

Question 23

Mass of a Helium-4 Atom

Answer 23

4.00260 amu, 0.03038 amu less than the sum of all its particles