Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear Chemistry

By Mihir Paranjape

Nuclear vs Chemical Reactions

​Nuclear	​Chemical
​Nucleus	​Electrons
Hight Temp and Pressure	​Normal Conditions
​New Elements/Isotopes	​Compounds
​Large Amount of Energy	​Smaller Amount of Energy
​Nuclear Fission, Fusion, Radioactive Decay	​Combustion, Acid Base, Oxidation, Biochemical, Manufacturing compounds etc.

Radioactive Decay

Larger Nucleii are Unstable, these achieve stability by losing energy or particles and become lighter and more stable.

This process is called Radioactive Decay.​

Radioactive Decays are represented by Nuclear Reactions.

To Balance Nuclear reactions, you have to balance

Mass Number

Atomic Number​

​

Radioactive Decay

Radioactive decays are defined based on particles emitted. e.g.

• Alpha: He⁴₂ nucleus

• Beta: Electron ⁰_-1e​

• Gamma: No p​articles are emitted. High energy radiation.

• Positron: ​⁰₁e

• Electron Capture: Capture of electron.​

​

Alpha Decay

Alpha Particle (α​) is emitted.

e.g

​

²³⁸₉₂U​ He⁴₂ + ^238-4=234_92-2=90

​

Look up element with atomic number of 90, it is Th, so product is

²³⁴₉₀Th ​

Beta Decay

Alpha Particle (β​) is emitted.

e.g

​

²³⁸₉₂U​ e⁰_-1 + ^238-0=238_92--1=93

​

Look up element with atomic number of 93, it is Np, so product is

²³⁸₉₃Np ​

Gamma Decay

Gamma Rays (γ​) are emitted. These have no particles

e.g

​

²³⁸₉₂U​ γ + ^238-0=238_92-0=92

​

So there is no change in the nucleus

²³⁸₉₂U ​

Multiple Choice

emitted helium nucleus

• positron

• radioactivity

• alpha particle

• gamma radiation

• beta particle

Multiple Choice

Which type of nuclear radiation is being emitted here along with Rn

• alpha
• beta
• gamma
• none

Multiple Choice

If Thorium-234 undergoes a beta decay, What element will be left in its place?

• Actinium-234
• Thorium-233
• Protactinium-234
• Radium-230

Multiple Choice

If we start off with element ⁵⁰₂₄X after an gamma decay we get another element that looks like

• _⁵²24X
• _⁵⁰23X
• _⁵⁰24X
• _⁵⁰25X

Multiple Choice

If we start off with element ⁵⁰₂₄X after an beta decay we get another element Y that looks like

• _⁵⁰23Y
• _⁴⁶22Y
• _⁵⁰25Y
• _⁵⁰24Y

Multiple Choice

After one ____________ of a radioactive element, half of the original radioactive material remains.

• half-life

• cycle

• decay

Multiple Choice

If 10 mg of iodine 131 is given to a patient, how much is left after 24 days? The half-life of iodine-131 is 8 days.

• 1.25mg
• 1.25g
• 10g
• 10mg

Beta Decay

Alpha Particle (β​) is emitted.

e.g

​

²³⁸₉₂U​ e⁰_-1 + ^238-0=238_92--1=93

​

Look up element with atomic number of 93, it is Np, so product is

²³⁸₉₃Np ​

Multiple Choice

This is an example of...

• Fission  reaction
• Fusion reaction
• Decomposition reaction
• Combustion

Gamma Decay

Gamma Rays (γ​) are emitted. These have no particles

e.g

​

²³⁸₉₂U​ γ + ^238-0=238_92-0=92

​

So there is no change in the nucleus

²³⁸₉₂U ​