Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

Nonionizing radiation

Answer 1

Radiation considered safe, not causing cancer

Question 2

Half-life

Answer 2

Time for half of a substance to decay

Question 3

Radioisotope

Answer 3

An isotope that exhibits radioactivity

Question 4

Alpha particles

Answer 4

Consist of two protons and two neutrons

Question 5

Beta particles

Answer 5

Can be electrons or positrons emitted

Question 6

Gamma rays

Answer 6

High frequency electromagnetic radiation

Question 7

Mass number change

Answer 7

Mass number decreases by 4 when alpha particle is emitted

Question 8

Atomic number change

Answer 8

Mass number decreases by 2 when alpha particle is emitted

Question 9

How is the Law of Conservation of Mass “violated” in nuclear chem?

Answer 9

Mass converts to energy in nuclear reactions

Question 10

Band of stability

Answer 10

Region where stable nuclei are found

Question 11

Nuclear chain reaction

Answer 11

Neutrons cause further fission in nuclei

Question 12

Geiger counter

Answer 12

Geiger-Muller counters are handheld devices that click or beep when they detect radiation by measuring ionization in a gas-filled tube

Question 13

Positron

Answer 13

Particle with positive charge, equal mass to electron

Question 14

Nuclear force

Answer 14

Force holding atomic nucleus together

Question 15

Ionizing radiation

Answer 15

Radiation that removes electrons, creating ions

Question 16

Radiometric dating

Answer 16

Dating method using proportions of radioactive isotopes

Question 17

How do smoke detectors use radioisotopes?

Answer 17

They use radioisotopes to ionize air for smoke detection

Question 18

Scintillation detector

Answer 18

Device that detects radiation via light emission

Question 19

Film badge dosimeter

Answer 19

Device for measuring exposure to radiation

Question 20

Positron emission tomography

Answer 20

Medical imaging technique using positrons

Question 21

Decay

Answer 21

Process of an unstable nucleus emitting radiation

Question 22

Fission

Answer 22

Splitting of a nucleus releasing energy

Question 23

7 types of electromagnetic radiation

Answer 23

Radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, gamma rays

Question 24

Radiation therapy to treat cancer

Answer 24

• Cancer cells are more susceptible to radiation than healthy cells
• Often, the radiation used is a beam of x-rays or gamma rays

Question 25

How are radioisotopes used as tracers to help detect cancer and thyroid problems

Answer 25

• PET Scan: “positron emission tomography”
• Measures positron emissions
• Can be used to detect cancer, also used in brain imaging

Question 26

Average atomic mass formula

Answer 26

(Percent to decimal)(Mass) + (Percent to decimal)(Mass)

Question 27

Atomic mass number

Answer 27

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom’s nucleus

Question 28

Film badges

Answer 28

Film badges are small cards containing light-sensitive film that darkens when exposed to radiation, used to measure a person’s radiation exposure over time

Question 29

Scintillation counters

Answer 29

Scintillation counters detect radiation by using special materials that emit light when hit by radiation; this light is then converted into an electrical signal to measure the radiation level