Key Area 2: Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

Radioactive decay involves?

Answer 1

Changes in the nuclei of atoms

Question 2

Unstable nuclei are called?

Answer 2

Radioisotopes

Question 3

Radioisotopes can become stable nuclei by giving out?

Answer 3

Alpha, Beta or Gamma radiation

Question 4

Alpha particles consist of?

Answer 4

Two protons, two neutrons and carry a double positive charge

Question 5

Alpha particles have a range of?

Answer 5

Only a few cm in the air and are stopped by a piece of paper

Question 6

Alpha particles will be attracted towards a?

Answer 6

Negatively charged plate

Question 7

A positively charged plate is called an?

Answer 7

Anode

Question 8

A negatively charged plate is called a?

Answer 8

Cathode

Question 9

Beta particles are electrons ejected?

Answer 9

From the nucleus of an atom

Question 10

Beta particles can travel?

Answer 10

Over a meter in air but can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium

Question 11

Beta particles will be attracted towards a?

Answer 11

Positively charged plate

Question 12

Gamma rays are not?

Answer 12

Deflected by an electrical field

Question 13

Gamma rays are able to travel?

Answer 13

Great distances in the air

Question 14

Gamma rays are?

Answer 14

Electromagnetic waves emitted from within the nucleus of an atom

Question 15

Gamma rays can be stopped by barriers made of materials like?

Answer 15

Lead and concrete

Question 16

Alpha particle is represented as?

Answer 16

4
He
2

Question 17

A beta particle can be represented as?

Answer 17

0
e
-1

Question 18

A proton can be represented as?

Answer 18

1
p
1

Question 19

A neutron can be represented as?

Answer 19

1
n
0

Question 20

The sum of the atomic numbers of the left of the arrow equal the?

Answer 20

Sum of the atomic numbers on the right of the arrow

Question 21

The sum of the mass number on the left of the arrow?

Answer 21

Equals the sum of the mass numbers in the right of the arrow

Question 22

The half-life is the time for half?

Answer 22

of the nuclei of a particular isotope to decay.

Question 23

The half-life of an isotope is?

Answer 23

constant, unaffected by chemicals or physical conditions

Question 24

What can be used to date materials

Answer 24

Radioactive isotopes

Question 25

The half-life of an isotope can be determined from?

Answer 25

A graph showing a decay curve

Question 26

Radioisotopes have a range od uses in?

Answer 26

medicine and industry

Question 27

In radioactive decay process?

Answer 27

unstable nuclei are rearranged into more stable nuclei by the release of energy

Question 28

Alpha particle is written as?

Answer 28

4 2+ He 2

Question 29

Beta particle is written as

Answer 29

0 e -1

Question 30

In radioactive decay process .... nuclei are rearranged into more stable nuclei by the release of energy. This breakdown is a?

Answer 30

unstable random process

Question 31

Examples od radiation

Answer 31

Cosmic rays, Artificial sources (medical, nuclear power)

Question 32

Alpha particle is

Answer 32

a slow moving positively charged particle, attracted to the negative plate

Question 33

Beta particle is

Answer 33

a fast moving negatively charged particle, has a greater attraction to the positive plate

Question 34

Gamma particle is

Answer 34

an electromagnetic radiation (travels at the speed of light) no deflection

Question 35

Alpha particle cant go through a hand but can go through?

Answer 35

Paper

Question 36

Beta particle can't go through aluminium but can go through?

Answer 36

Hand

Question 37

gamma rays can go through everything but

Answer 37

concrete

Question 38

What is background radiation

Answer 38

a natural phenomenon and is caused by various factors

Question 39

What causes background radiation?

Answer 39

natural sources and artificial sources

Question 40

Why do radioactive elements emit radiation

Answer 40

when an unstable atom decays to become more stable

Question 41

Medical radioisotopes examples

Answer 41

60Co - Gamma radiography (cancer treatment) 32P - treatment of excess red blood cells in the body

Question 42

Industrial radioisotopes example

Answer 42

137Cs - thickness gauging 60Co - Gamma radiography and medical equipment sterilisation

Question 43

Which radioisotope is used to date the age of once living materials?

Answer 43

Carbon-14