CHE 121: Chapter 11 (Nuclear Chemistry) – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Nucleon
answer
A general term for both protons and neutrons.
question
Nuclide
answer
The nucleus of a specific isotope of an element.
question
Nuclear Reaction
answer
A reaction that changes an atomic nucleus, usually causing the change of one element into another.
question
Radioactivity
answer
The spontaneous emission of radiation from a nucleus.
question
Gamma Radiation (symbol?)
answer
γ
question
Alpha Particle (symbol?)
answer
α
question
Beta Particle (symbol?)
answer
β
question
Gamma (γ) Radiation
answer
Radioactivity consisting of high-energy light waves.
question
Beta (β) Particle
answer
An electron (e⁻), emitted as radiation.
question
Alpha (α) Particle
answer
A helium nucleus (He²⁺), emitted as a "α" radiation.
question
Radioisotope
answer
A radioactive isotope.
question
Radionuclide
answer
The nucleus of a radioactive isotope.
question
Nuclear Decay
answer
The spontaneous emission of a particle from an unstable nucleus.
question
Transmutation
answer
The change of one element into another due to nuclear decay.
question
Alpha Emission
answer
When an atom emits an "α" particle, the nucleus loses two protons and two neutrons.
question
Beta Emission
answer
Involves the decomposition of a neutron to yield an electron and a proton.
question
Gamma Emission
answer
Cause no change in the mass or atomic number because the rays are simply high-energy electromagnetic waves.
question
Gamma Emission
answer
Can occur alone but usually accompanies "α" or "β⁻" emission as a mechanism for the new nucleus.
question
Positron (β+)
answer
A "positive electron," which has the same mass as an electron but a positive charge.
question
Symbol for Positron Emission
answer
β+
question
Positron Emission
answer
Conversion of a proton in the nucleus into a neutron plus an ejected positron.
question
Electron Capture (E.C.)
answer
A process in which the nucleus captures an inner-shell electron from the surrounding electron cloud, thereby converting a proton into a neutron.
question
How many kinds of Radioactive Decay?
answer
5
question
What are the kinds of Radioactive decay?
answer
1. Alpha Emission; 2. Beta Emission; 3. Gamma Emission; 4. Positron Emission; 5. Electron Capture.
question
Symbol for Electron Capture
answer
E.C.
question
Formula for Half-Life
answer
(t1/2)
question
Half-life
answer
The amount of time required for one-half of a radioactive sample to decay.
question
Decay Series
answer
A sequential series of nuclear disintegrations leading from a heavy radioisotope to a non-radioactive product.
question
Ionizing Radiation
answer
A general name for high-energy radiation of all kinds.
question
X Rays
answer
Electromagnetic radiation with an energy somewhat less than that of Gamma Rays
question
Cosmic Rays
answer
A mixture of high-energy particles- primarily of protons & various atomic nuclei- that shower the earth from outer space.
question
Artificial Transmutation
answer
The change of one atom into another brought about by the nuclear bombardment reaction.
question
Critical Mass
answer
The minimum amount of radioactive material needed to sustain a nuclear chain reaction.
question
Chain Reaction
answer
The reaction is self sustaining
question
Nuclear Fission
answer
The fragmenting of heavy nuclei
question
Nuclear Fusion
answer
The joining together of light nuclei. Requires enormous amounts of "T" and pressure to take place.
