Nuclear Reactions Flashcards
What is a nuclear reaction?
A process that alters the composition, structure or energy of an atomic nucleus
Why is the emission of radioactive radiation called a nuclear reaction?
The radiation is emitted from the nuclei of unstable atoms
Give 4 points of information on chemical reactions
Used to differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions
Involves electrons rather than nucleus
No new element is formed
No release of nuclear radiation
Chemical bonds broken and formed
Give 4 points of information on nuclear reactions
Used to differentiate between chemical and nuclear reactions
Changes take place in nucleus and electrons not involved
A new element is formed
Nuclear radiation is released
No chemical bond breaking or bond formation involved
What is the changing of one element into another called?
Transmutation
What happens when an atom of radium-226 emits an alpha particle?
4 changes
Two protons and two neutrons are lost form the nucleus
The atomic number decreases by two
The mass number decreases by four
Radium-226 becomes radon-222
In general, what happens when an atom loses an alpha particles?
2 changes
It changes into an atom of the element two places before it in the Periodic table
The mass number decreases by four
What happens when an atom of carbon-14 loses a beta particle?
3 changes
The mass number stays the same
Carbon atom changes into a nitrogen atom
Atomic number increases by one
In general, what happens when an atom loses a beta particle?
2 changes
It changes into an atom of the element one place after it in the periodic table
The mass number stays the same
What happens to an atom when it emits gamma radiation?
The loss of gamma radiation does not give rise to any new atoms i.e. energy has simply been lost from the nucleus
In what reactions does transmutation occur?
In nuclear reactions (emission of alpha or beta particles) and not chemical reactions
