Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

Radioactivity

Answer 1

Spontaneous decay of an unstable nucleus

Question 2

Alpha emission

Answer 2

A helium-4 cation (He²⁺), is released from a decaying nucleus; ie, 2 protons and 2 neutrons; typically done by large, heavy elements

Question 3

Beta emission

Answer 3

A neutron decays is into a proton and electron; The electron is emitted

Done by atams that have a high nuetron to proton ratio

Question 4

Gamma (radiation) emission

Answer 4

High energy, short wavelength radiation that has no mass and accompanies alpha and beta emission

Question 5

Half life

Answer 5

The time it takes for half of a sample to decay, t_1/2

Question 6

Half life equation

Answer 6

Question 7

Fission

Answer 7

Bombarding a large isotope with a smaller one, usually a neutron, so that it breaks apart into two or more different elements

Question 8

Mass defect

Answer 8

During nuclear fission some mass is converted to energy and is released; based on Einstein’s equation E=mc²

Question 9

Nuclear fusion

Answer 9

Combining small nuclei to produce a large nucleus; aka a larger element