Name ____________________________________
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Nuclear Chemistry & Radiation
Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry involves the changing of an atom’s nucleus. These nuclear reactions are caused
by the emissions of particles in the nucleus in the form of both neutrons and protons. This emission of
particles is what we refer to as radiation. When elements give off radiation they can alter their identities
and can actually change into other elements.
What makes some nuclei unstable?
Elements are considered radioactive when their nuclei (nucleus) is unstable. The stability of nuclei
is based on their ratio of protons to neutrons. These unstable nuclei lose protons and neutrons in order to
form a ratio that is more stable. Unstable nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation in a process called
radioactive decay. Radioactive decay allows unstable atoms to lose energy by releasing one of several
different types of radiation. The three most common forms of radiation are alpha (), beta () and
gamma ().
Characterizing the 3 Types Radiation
Directions: In groups of 3 you will each be responsible for learning more about one of the 3 types of
radiation. You each will receive a short paragraph on 1 of the three types of radiation. As you read each
paragraph, you will identify 5 properties of each type of radiation – their symbols, the particles emitted,
their charges, their masses, and their penetrating power – and record these characteristics in the table
below. When finished share your findings with your group.
Properties of Radiation
Radioactive
Decay Type
Symbol
Particle Emitted
Charge
Mass
Penetrating
Power
Alpha Decay
Beta Decay
Gamma Decay
Radioactive Decay Reactions
Radioactive decay reactions are used to identify and model the emission of either alpha or beta
particles.
Initial Atom  Emitted Particle + Decay Product
1. What type of particle is given off in the following nuclear reactions
a.
92
238
b.
6
14
U 
C
7
14
Th + 42 He
90
234
N +
1
0
e
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Writing Radioactive Decay Reactions
1) Write your initial atom
2) Make sure the atomic numbers and mass numbers on the left side of the arrow equal the atomic
numbers and mass numbers on the right side of the arrow
Initial Atom

Boron-19 goes through Alpha decay

Phosphorus-33 goes through Beta decay

Uranium-235 goes through Alpha Decay

Radon-222 goes through Alpha Decay

Iodine-127 goes through Beta Decay

Emitted
Radioactive
Particle
If you can do these, you will ACE these types of questions on your next quiz!...
1. Uranium-242 goes through alpha decay.
2. Fluorine – 20 goes through beta decay
Decay Product