Atom: Nuclear Reactions

Atom: Nuclear Reactions

How are these 3 types of decay similar different from one another?

alpha decay / beta-minus / beta-plus

Multiple Select

Which subatomic particle/s is/are directly involved in nuclear reactions?

• protons

• neutrons

• the electrons outside the nucleus

Nuclear reactions can be:

natural or artificial

The next question can somehow tell if you've worked on part 3 of the playlist, and how much you have understood the concept of nuclear reactions so far...

Open Ended

Why would an element spontaneously undergo decay?

Why would an element spontaneously undergo decay?

The goal is to have a more stable nucleus.

NUCLEAR EQUATIONS

For a better analysis of nuclear reactions, EQUATIONS are used. So let's study/review how to write them!

Get ready for the next review question...

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What does "A" denote in this expression?

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What is the number of protons of this chemical species?

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What SYMBOL is used to separate the reactant/s from the product/s in a nuclear equation?

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The highlighted symbols are called what?

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What type of nuclear decay is shown in this equation?

Multiple Select

By how much does the atomic number and mass number of an element decrease after going through alpha decay? Choose the two correct answers.

• Atomic number decreases by 2.

• Atomic number decreases by 4.

• Mass number decreases by 2.

• Mass number decreases by 4.

Multiple Select

Which of the following is TRUE about beta-minus decay?

• A beta-minus is ejected by the reactant.

• A beta-minus is taken in by the reactant.

• The number of protons is increased.

• The number of protons is decreased.

Multiple Choice

How do you compare the original element and the new element formed through beta-minus decay?

• The new element has an atomic number that is one MORE than the original.

• The new element has an atomic number that is one LESS than the original.

• The new element has a mass number that is one MORE than the original.

• The new element has a mass number that is one LESS than the original.

Open Ended

Briefly describe what happens in a beta-plus decay.

Beta-plus Decay

A proton transforms into a neutron (by ejecting a positron) decreasing the atomic number of the original element by one.