Unit 3.4 Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

What is radioactivity?

Answer 1

The result of unstable nuclei emitting energy or a particle to form more stable nuclei

Question 2

What are the different types of radiation?

Answer 2

• Alpha
• Beta
• Gamma

Question 3

What properties does alpha radiation have?

Answer 3

Slow moving,positively charged particles that come from the nucleus of a radioactive element

Question 4

What does Alpha radiation consist of?

Answer 4

Two protons and Two neutrons with a 2+ charge

Question 5

What level of penetration does Alpha have?

Answer 5

Little penetration and will be stopped by a few cm of air or a sheet of paper

Question 6

Nuclear decay with the emission of an Alpha particle

Answer 6

232 228 4 2+
Th - - - - > Ra + He^
90 88 2

Question 7

What are Beta Particles?

Answer 7

Electrons

Question 8

What are the particles in Beta radiation like?

Answer 8

Fast moving, negatively charged particles, formed when a neutron from the nucleus splits into a proton and an electron

Question 9

What is the penetration like in Beta Particles?

Answer 9

They have a greater penetration than Alpha and can pass through air but can’t penetrate thin metal foil

Question 10

What does the nuclear equation for Beta decay create?

Answer 10

A product with an atomic number that has increased but the mass number is unchanged

Question 11

Example of a Beta decay nuclear question?

Answer 11

228 228 0
Ra—> Ac+ e
88 89 - 1

Question 12

What is Gamma radiation?

Answer 12

Non-particle, it’s not a particle but a form of electromagnetic radiation of high energy

Question 13

What does the non particulate nature of Gamma waves mean?

Answer 13

They do not change the nature of an atom, so there are no nuclear equations for Gamma radiation

Question 14

What is the penetration like in Gamma radiation?

Answer 14

The greatest penetration of the three types of radioactivity and thick lead or concrete is required to absorb Gamma Rays

Question 15

The nature of the Beta Particle

Answer 15

Negatively charged so is attracted to the positively charged plate

Question 16

The nature of the Alpha particle

Answer 16

Positively charged, so attracted to the negatively charged particle

Question 17

Nature of Gamma waves

Answer 17

No charge because they are Non-particulate, so aren’t affected by any of the charged plates

Question 18

Uses of radioisotope Gamma emitter cobalt-60

Answer 18

The treatment of tumours

Question 19

Uses of radioisotope, less penetrating Beta emitter phosphorus-32

Answer 19

Treatment of skin cancer

Question 20

Uses of radioisotopes with a short half life

Answer 20

• Leaks in pipelines can be investigated

- The radiation emitted can be detected if a leak is present

Question 21

Uses of radioisotope Americium-241

Answer 21

• Domestic smoke alarms

- small amounts of smoke can affect the amount of radiation passing through a small gap and an alarm is triggered