Understanding Nuclear Equations

What do nuclear equations primarily show?

• The transformation of isotopes over time

• The conservation of energy in chemical reactions

• The formation of new elements

• The breakdown of chemical bonds

In a nuclear equation, what must be conserved on both sides of the equation?

• Mass and volume

• Volume and atomic numbers

• Mass and atomic numbers

• Energy and charge

When completing a nuclear equation, what is the first step?

• Find the atomic number of the missing particle

• Determine the type of decay

• Calculate the total mass number on each side

• Identify the missing element

What is the atomic number of phosphorus, which is used in one of the examples?

• 16

• 15

• 17

• 14

What is a positron similar to?

• A neutron with a positive charge

• An electron with a positive charge

• A proton with a negative charge

• A gamma ray with a positive charge

In the example involving hydrogen isotopes, what is produced alongside a neutron?

• A gamma ray

• A helium atom

• A beta particle

• A positron

What element is identified by the atomic number 5 in the periodic table?

• Boron

• Oxygen

• Carbon

• Nitrogen

What type of particle is emitted when a radioactive isotope of iridium decays?

• Neutron

• Alpha particle

• Beta particle

• Gamma ray

In the final example, what is the atomic number of the element produced from the decay of silver?

• 46

• 47

• 48

• 49

What is the mass number of a beta particle?

• 0

• 1

• 2

• 3