Nuclear Chemistry Review F24

Front

What makes radioactive materials unstable?

Back

Radioactive materials have unstable nuclei.

Front

Who discovered radioactivity and won two Nobel Prizes?

Back

Marie Curie.

Front

What percentage of the parent isotope remains after 3 half-lives?

Back

12.5%.

Front

What atoms combine during fusion reactions on the sun?

Back

2 small Hydrogen atoms.

Front

In nuclear fusion, what happens to smaller nuclei?

Back

They are combined together to form one larger nucleus.

Front

What is nuclear fission?

Back

A nuclear reaction where a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei.

Front

What is the difference between nuclear fission and fusion?

Back

Fission splits large nuclei; fusion combines smaller nuclei.

Front

What is a half-life?

Back

The time required for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

Front

What is the role of neutrons in a nucleus?

Back

Neutrons help stabilize the nucleus and prevent it from being repelled by protons.

Front

What is radioactive decay?

Back

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.