Nuclear, Lesson 3-6 Learning Check

Last name, First name

MANUAL GRADE RESPONSE: Compare and contrast the two lithium isotopes. In your comparison, suggest a reason for the difference in stability between the two atoms.

Isotopes are different versions of the same element. Isotopes have the same number of _____________ but different numbers of ________________.

• electrons; protons
• protons; electrons
• neutrons; electrons
• protons; neutrons

MANUAL GRADE RESPONSE: Based on the following reading and the PhET simulation "isotopes and mass" describe why Uranium 238 is more abundant (more common) than Uranium 235.

What is the name of the force that holds protons and neutrons together in a nucleus?

• strong nuclear force
• gravitational force
• weak nuclear force
• electromagnetic force

Why do protons repel each other?

• they are both neutrally charged
• they are both positively charged
• they are both negatively charged
• none of the above

MANUAL GRADE RESPONSE: Based on the video we watched in class (linked here) what is the role of a neutron in the nucleus? https://illinois.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/lsps07.sci.phys.matter.stability/island-of-stability/

Review the image linked below. What is the relationship between stable atoms (dark red) with a large number of protons and the amount of neutrons required to stabilize it? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zx9jGgkvNWgKmpzzZU5dq9SYEEwZnmDv2KTkv0kfFgw/edit?usp=sharing

• As protons increase, the amount of neutrons required to stabilize the nucleus decreases
• As protons increases, the amount of neutrons required to stabilize the nucleus increases

Based on the graph linked below, an atom with 40 protons and 40 neutrons would be stable for how much time? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zx9jGgkvNWgKmpzzZU5dq9SYEEwZnmDv2KTkv0kfFgw/edit?usp=sharing

• 10^14 years
• 100 years
• 1 year
• 1 second

Based on the graph linked below, an atom with 90 protons and 140 neutrons would be stable for how much time? https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zx9jGgkvNWgKmpzzZU5dq9SYEEwZnmDv2KTkv0kfFgw/edit?usp=sharing

• 10^6 years
• 100 years
• 1 year
• 1 second