Unit 2 - Nuclear Reactions Flashcards
What does the mass number represent?
The number of protons plus neutrons
What are the three types of radioactive decay?
Alpha, beta and gamma
What is emitted during alpha decay?
Helium nucleus
What is the mass no & atomic no of a helium nucleus?
Mass = 4 Atomic = 2
What is emitted during beta decay?
An electron and a neutrino
What effect does gamma emission have on mass and atomic no.
None
What happens to mass and atomic number during beta emission?
Mass number stays the same
Atomic number increases by one
What happens to the mass and atomic number during alpha emission?
Mass number decreases by 4
Atomic number decreases by 2
What is nuclear fission?
When a large nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei
What are the 2 types of nuclear fission?
Spontaneous
Induced
When does induced fission take place?
When a large nucleus is bombarded with neutrons and absorbs one of them. Making the nucleus unstable and causing it to split
What is nuclear fission the basis of?
Chain reactions
What is nuclear fusion?
When 2 small nuclei join together to make a larger nucleus
In nuclear reactions why is the total mass before greater than the total mass after?
Some of the mass has been converted into energy
What equation is used to calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions?
E = mc^2
What are the steps to find energy released in a nuclear reaction?
Find mass before
Find mass after
Find difference in mass
E=mc^2
What does the atomic number represent?
The number of protons in the nucleus
What does nuclear decay do to atoms
Makes them more stable
What is an Alpha particle?
A helium nucleus
What is the mass and atomic number of a beta particle
Mass = 0 Atomic = -1
What is a beta particle often represented by?
An electron
What is emitted during gamma emission?
A high energy Photon of electromagnetic radiation
What is spontaneous fission?
A natural process in which a larger nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei
What does nuclear fission result in the release of?
Neutrons
How do u tell if a fission reaction is spontaneous or induced?
A neutron on the left hand side = induced
Otherwise = spontaneous
What can nuclear fission be used to produce energy in?
Nuclear reactors
Where & why does nuclear fusion take place?
In stars to release energy
What is the rule concerning mass in all nuclear reactions?
The total mass before is greater than the total mass after
