The Basics
Alpha Decay
Beta Decay
Nuclear Stability
Nuclear Reactors
100
The part of the atom involved in nuclear reactions.
What is the nucleus.
100
Draw the nuclide symbol for an alpha particle.
What is a helium nucleus (2 protons, 2 neutrons, mass = 4, symbol is He).
100
Draw the nuclide symbol for a beta particle.
What is an electron (no mass, -1 charge, symbol is e)
100
These are the subatomic particles located in the nucleus.
What are protons and neutrons.
100
What type of nuclear reaction happens inside a nuclear reactor?
What is fission chain reaction.
200
These are the three types of radiation.
What is alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.
200
Write the equation for the alpha decay of Uranium-238.
The products are an alpha particle and Thorium-234.
200
Write the equation for the beta decay of carbon-14.
The products are the beta particle and nitrogen-14.
200
This is the name of the force that holds protons and neutrons together.
What is the strong nuclear force.
200
What element is commonly used as the fuel source in nuclear reactors?
What is uranium.
300
The definition of radioactivity.
What is the spontaneous change of an unstable nucleus to a more stable state through the emission of radiation.
300
write the equation for the alpha decay of Plutonium-243
The products are an alpha particle and Uranium-239.
300
Write the equation for the beta decay of radon-223.
The products are a beta particle and Francium-223.
300
Why is carbon-14 unstable while carbon-12 is not?
Carbon-14 has 8 neutrons and 6 protons. Carbon-12 has 6 neutrons and 6 protons. Carbon-14's extra neutrons make it unstable.
300
Which produces more energy per gram of starting material - A nuclear reactor or a fossil fuel power plant.
What is a nuclear reactor.
400
The difference between fission and fusion reactions.
What is fission involves the splitting of large nuclei while fusion involves the fusing of small nuclei.
400
As a result of alpha decay, Berkelium-247 was formed. What was the starting material?
The starting material was Einsteinium-251.
400
The product after 2 beta decays is Californium-247. What was the starting material?
The starting material was Curium-247.
400
Why are elements with atomic numbers greater 92 never found in nature?
The high numbers of protons and neutrons in these atoms make them very unstable. They are only made in laboratories and undergo radioactive decay very quickly.
400
As the radioactive fuel reacts, energy is released in the form of …..
What is heat (and light).
500
The name of the natural fusion reactor located closest to the earth.
What is the sun.
500
Explain the application of alpha decay in smoke detectors. (See Ch 18 of your textbook.)
Refer to page 663 of your textbook.
500
Explain how beta decay is involved in radio-carbon dating. (For help see Chapter 18 section 3 of your textbook.)
Refer to the explanation on page 658. Carbon-14 decays to Nitrogen-14.
500
What equation can be used to calculate the energy emitted due to radioactive decay?
What is E=mc^2
500
Explain three benefits and three harms associated with using nuclear reactors to generate electricity for Los Angeles.
Answers will vary but may include: Benefits: uranium is very energy dense, no carbon dioxide emissions, reliable source of energy Harms: environmental harms include damage to aquatic habitats and land loss, health risks from radiation exposure in event of melt down, possible risk of terrorist target
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