Nuclear Physics

Distinguishing Decay

100

What type of decay emits 2 protons and 2 neutrons?

Alpha decay.

200

What particle is emitted during beta decay?

 A beta particle (electron).

300

 What is missing in the following equation:

Identify the decay: ²³⁸₉₂U → ______ + ⁴₂He

²³⁴₉₀Th

400

What type of radiation is stopped by aluminum

Beta

500

How is gamma decay different than alpha and beta

It is not a particle

Decay Curves

100

What does the y-axis represent in a decay curve? 

The percentage or amount of the remaining isotope.

200

What happens to the daughter isotope as the parent isotope decays?

It increases

300

How can you determine the age of an artifact using decay curves?

Measuring the ratio of parent to daughter isotope

400

A rock sample contains 110g of a radioactive isotope. The isotope has a half life of 10 years. How much remains after 30 years?

13.75g

500

A rock sample contains 80g of a radioactive isotope with a half life of 20 years. How much of the daughter isotope is present after 60 years?

70g

Nuclear Fusion

100

Describe nuclear fusion

combining of smaller nuclei to form a larger nucleus

200

Where does nuclear fusion commonly occur

Core of stars

300

Write a fusion equation using deuterium (²₁H)

²₁H + ²₁H --> ⁴₂He + energy

400

Complete the following equation:

²₁H + ³₁H --> ⁴₂He + _______

¹₀n

500

What conditions are necessary for fusion to occur

High temperatures and pressure

Nuclear Fission

100

Describe fission

A heavy nucleus splits into smaller nuclei 

200

What is released during nuclear fission?

energy, neutrons, smaller daughter nucleus

300

What is a nuclear chain reaction?

A series of reactions where released neutrons trigger more fissions.

400

Complete the following equation: 

 ²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n --> ⁹²₃₆Kr + _______ + ¹₀n + energy

¹⁴³₅₆Ba

500

Why is a neutron necessary for fission?

To make the nucleus unstable