5.3.1 Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry

Fill in the Blank

Prerequisite Vocabulary

________ is the emission of radiation by an unstable atomic nucleus.

Hotspot

Which of the following subatomic particles contribute to nuclear chemistry?

Categorize

Options (4)

balanced number of protons and neutrons

balance between the strong nuclear force and proton repulsion

unbalanced numbers of protons and neutrons

imbalance between the strong nuclear force and proton repulsion

Categorize each characteristic of a stable or an unstable nucleus into the category it best represents.

stable nucleus

unstable nucleus

Labelling

Use what you learned about the atomic masses and atomic numbers in balanced nuclear equations to fill in the atomic mass and atomic number of radon.

Note that the symbol for helium is used to represent the alpha particle in the equation below.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

222

86

Multiple Choice

Thorium-234 is a radioisotope that undergoes beta minus decay. What will be in place of the question marks for the nuclear equation, shown below?

Match

Match the description with the term it best represents.

• the composition of, structure of, and changes that happen in the nucleus of an atom

• a balance between the attractive force that holds protons and neutrons together and the repulsive force between the protons

• responsible for binding protons and neutrons within the nucleus

• influences the stability of an atom's nucleus

nuclear chemistry

nuclear stability

strong nuclear force

balance of protons and neutrons

• nuclear chemistry

• nuclear stability

• 
  

  strong nuclear force

• balance of protons and neutrons

Categorize

Options (6)

involves the release of a particle containing two protons and two neutrons

can be stopped by a sheet of paper or by human skin

involves the emisson of high-energy electrons or positrons

can penetrate human tissue but can be stopped by plastic or thin metal

involves the release of electromagnetic waves with high energy

can penetrate deeply into human tissue and can be stopped by lead or concrete

Place the following descriptions into the correct categories.

alpha radiation

beta radiation

gamma radiation

Open Ended

Strontium-90 is a radioisotope that releases nuclear radiation. Based on the nuclear equation below, which kind of radiation does strontium release? Explain how you can identify the type of radiation released.