Unit 8: Nuclear Chemistry

Which process involves the joining of small nuclei?

• Beta decay
• Alpha decay
• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion

Which process involves the splitting of large nuclei?

• Beta decay
• Alpha decay
• Nuclear fission
• Nuclear fusion

Is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles and energy 

• radioactivity 
• radioisotope
• beta decay
• background radiation 

What makes an element's nucleus unstable and therefore radioactive?

• Too many protons with the same charge repelling away from each other.

• Not enough neutrons to help bind the nucleus together.

• A nucleus is bombarded with high speed particles that slam into the nucleus and make it unstable.

• All the above can be factors

What is the process in which an unstable atomic nucleus emits charged particles or energy or both?

• radioactivity

• oxidation

• decomposition

• none of the above

Which of these symbols can be used to represent alpha decay?

• 
• 
• 
• 

What is the structure of an alpha particle?

• a fast-moving electron

• an electromagnetic wave

• a fast-moving positron

• 2 protons and 2 neutrons

Which of these symbols can be used to represent a beta decay?

• 
• 
• 
• 

What is the structure of gamma radiation?

• a Helium nucleus

• a fast-moving positron

• an electromagnetic wave

• a neutron

In the equation,  ^14₆C --> ^14₇N + ^0_-1B, the _______ decay of radioactive carbon-14 results in the creation of a new nitrogen-14 atom.

• Radioactive
• Beta
• Alpha
• Gamma