Lesson 13: Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

Nuclear Chemistry

Answer 1

The study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure.

Question 2

Radiation

Answer 2

Energy given off by matter in the form of rays or high speed particles.

Question 3

Four Types of Radiation

Answer 3

1. Alpha particle(a).
2. Beta particle(B).
3. Gamma radiation(Y).
4. Positron(B+).

Question 4

Element Symbol

Answer 4

Letter that is the symbol of the element.

Question 5

Atomic Number

Answer 5

Number of protons in the nucleus of and atom. (Different for each element).

Question 6

Mass Number

Answer 6

Sum of the number of protons and neutrons in an atom. (Whole number).

Question 7

Atomic Mass

Answer 7

Average number of neutrons and protons for all natural isotopes of and element. (Decimal number)

Question 8

Nuclide

Answer 8

Atom with a particular number of protons and neutrons.

Question 9

Isotopes

Answer 9

Atoms (nuclides) with same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

Question 10

Nuclear Force

Answer 10

Strong force that holds the protons of the nucleus together. (Neutrons major component of this force).

Question 11

Unstable Nuclei (Radioactive Elements)

Answer 11

Have either to much protons or too many neutrons upsetting strong nuclear forces.

Question 12

Radioactive Decay

Answer 12

Unstable nuclei (radioactive elements) trying to balance themselves by giving up excess protons or neutrons.

Question 13

Radionuclide

Answer 13

Nuclide that has excess number of either protons or neutrons giving it excess energy and making it unstable.

Question 14

Alpha Particle (a) - (Description/composed of) 4,2He

Answer 14

Same components as a helium nucleus. (4 Mass Number - 2 Atomic Number)

Question 15

Lowest penetrating power of the four types of radiation (piece of paper will shield it).

Answer 15

Alpha Particle 4,2He

Question 16

Beta Particle (B) (Def) 0,-1B or 0,-1e

Answer 16

High speed electron that is ejected from the nucleus.

Question 17

100 times more penetrating power than the alpha particle. (Piece of aluminum foil will block or shield it)

Answer 17

Beta particle 0,-1B or 0,-1e

Question 18

Gamma Radiation (Y) (a stream of what) 0,0Y

Answer 18

A stream of high-speed photons.

Question 19

Penetrating power 10,000 greater than the alpha particle. (Lead reinforced concrete is required to shield it).

Answer 19

Gamma radiation 0,0Y

Question 20

Positron (B+) - Description (o,+1B or 0,+1e)

Answer 20

Particles with the same mass as an electron but w/ 1+ positive charge.

Question 21

Penetrating Power

Answer 21

The ability of each type of radiation to pass through matter.

Question 22

Ionizing Power

Answer 22

The ability of radiation to damage molecules.

Question 23

Nuclear Stability Trends

Answer 23

1. Nuclides w/ 84 or more protons are unstable.
2. Even numbers of protons and neutrons are often more stable than odd numbers. (2n and 2z) more stable than (7n and 4z).
3. Stable nuclides want to have a neutron proton ratio (n/z) equal to one for lighter elements (z <= 20). For heavier elements stable nuclides want to have a n/z ratio greater than one.
4. Magic numbers of protons and/or neutrons produce stable nuclides. (2,8,20,28,50,82,126)

Question 24

Balancing Nuclear Equations (Two Rules)

Answer 24

1. The sum of the Mass Numbers of the reactants equals the sum of mass numbers of the products.
2. The sum of the charges (Atomic Numbers) of the reactants equals the sum of the charges (Atomic Numbers) of the product.

Question 25

Antimatter

Answer 25

Particles with the same mass but the opposite sate of another property (for example, charge).

-Positrons and Electrons

Question 26

Radioactive Decay

Answer 26

Spontaneous change of an unstable nuclide into another.

Question 27

Parent Nuclide

Answer 27

The unstable nuclide in radioactive decay. (Nuclide before disintegration).

Question 28

Daughter Nuclide

Answer 28

Nuclide that results from the decay (may be stable or unstable).

Question 29

Radiation

Answer 29

Energy given off by matter in the form of rays or high-speed particles.

Question 30

Alpha Decay (Def) (Emission of what from nucleus)

Answer 30

Emission of a high-speed particle from the nucleus —-> 4,2He or —–> 4,2 a

Question 31

Beta Decay (Def) (Emission of what from nucleus)

Answer 31

Emission of an electron from a nucleus
—> 0,-1B or 0,-1e

Question 32

Positron Emission (Emission of what from nucleus).

Answer 32

Emission of a positron from the nucleus.
—-> 0,1B or —-> 0,1e

Question 33

Electron Capture (what combines with what and is converted into what) and what is released.

Answer 33

An inner shell electron combines with a proton and is converted into a neutron.

x-ray is released

0,-1e —–>

Question 34

Gamma Decay (what is released and how does it decay)

Answer 34

Gamma radiation is released.

(Decays from an excited state to a lower (ground) state).

—–> 0,0Y

Question 35

4,2a or 4,2He (a)

Answer 35

Alpha particle (a)

Question 36

0,-1B or 0,-1e (B)

Answer 36

Beta particle (B)

Question 37

0,1B or 0,1e (B+)

Answer 37

Positron (B+)

Question 38

0,0Y (y)

Answer 38

Gamma radiation (Y)

Question 39

Predicting Route of Nuclear Decay (Alpha Decay)

Answer 39

Heavy elements (A > 200) (z > 83)

Atomic mass greater than 200 and atomic number greater than 83.

Question 40

Predicting Route of Nuclear Decay (Beta Decay)

Answer 40

Too many neutrons and not enough protons.

n:z ratio too high

Question 41

Predicting Route of Nuclear Decay (Positron Emission and Electron Capture)

Answer 41

Too many protons and not enough neutrons

n:z ratio too low

Question 42

Conversion of Neutron into proton (what type of decay)

Answer 42

Beta Decay

Question 43

Conversion of a proton into neutron (what type)

Answer 43

Positron emission

Question 44

Change in mass(A)/atomic numbers(z) - from Parent to Daughter: Alpha Decay

Answer 44

A: decrease by 4

Z: decrease by 2

Question 45

Change in mass(A)/atomic numbers(z) - from Parent to Daughter: Beta Decay

Answer 45

A: unchanged

Z: increase by 1

Question 46

Change in mass(A)/atomic numbers(z) - from Parent to Daughter: Gamma Decay

Answer 46

A: unchanged

Z: unchanged

Question 47

Change in mass(A)/atomic numbers(z) - from Parent to Daughter: Positron Emission

Answer 47

A: unchanged

Z: decrease by 1

Question 48

Change in mass(A)/atomic numbers(z) - from Parent to Daughter: Electron Capture

Answer 48

A: unchanged

Z: decrease by 1

Question 49

Radioactive Series

Answer 49

The changes a radioisotope undergoes as it decays