Objectives: Describe the 3 types of radiation ; Complete nuclear equations ; Calculate half-life problems ; Describe fission and fusion reactions ; Describe the effects of radiation
What are the 3 types of radiation? List their charges and mass.
Alpha particles - +2, 4 ; Beta particles- -1, slightly greater than zero ; Gamma rays– none, none
What is the relative penetrating power of the 3 types of radiation?
Gamma > Beta > Alpha
What is Radioactive Decay?
The process whereby a radionuclide is transformed as a result of the emission of radiation from the nucleus
What is a Transmutation Reaction?
A nuclear reaction in which a nuclide of one element changes into a nuclide of another element
The loss of an alpha particle by a radioactive nuclide causes the mass number to change by what amount and the atomic number to change by what amount?
The loss of a beta particle?
The loss of a gamma ray?
Alpha -4, -2 ; Beta 0, +1 ; Gamma 0, 0
What is the meaning of a half-life of a radionuclide?
The time required for one-half of it given quantity of our radioactive substance to undergo decay
Describe nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions.
Nuclear Fission - Nuclear reaction in which a large nucleus (high atomic #) splits into 2 medium-sized nuclei w/ an accompanying release of several free neutrons and a large amount of energy ; Nuclear Fusion - Nuclear reaction in which 2 small nuclei are put together to make a larger one
What isotope is formed when Thorium-234 emits a beta particle.
Pa-234
When Po-200 decays into Pb-196, what is emitted?
An alpha particle
Tc-99m has a half-life of 8 hours. A bottle originally contained 100.0 g. How much is left after 2 days?
# half-lives = 48/8 = 6 (more)
Amt. rem. = orig. amt. * 1/2n = 100.0 g * 1 / 26 = 1.563 g
In alpha particle decay, the product nucleus has the same atomic number as the parent nucleus. True or False
False
The sun generates its energy by nuclear fission . True or false
False
In beta decay the parent and daughter nuclides have the same mass number. True or False
True
The rate of radioactive decay will increase with increased temperature. True or False
False
Alpha particles are the most massive and have the lowest penetrating power of the three types of naturally-occurring radioactive emissions. True or False
True