Chem 163 Ready for class? Nuclear reactions
1. Write a proper notation for alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ), positron, proton and neutron.
2. Sketch band of stability.
In your own words, explain what it represents.
3. Write a balanced equation.
a)
100
45
b)
1
0
c)
238
92
0
-1
Rh +
n +
235
92
U +
  ___
U 
16
8
O 
236
92
U
250
100

141
56
Ba + ____ + 3 01 n
Fm + ___
d) palladium-106 decays by electron capture.
e) radon-222 decay to polonium-218?
f) A nucleus decays by successive α, β, β, α emissions to produce uranium-236.
4. (a) Explain in your own words what a first order reaction means.
(b) Explain in your own words what a second order reaction means.
(c) Explain in your own words what a zeroth order reaction means.
5. (a) What is the half-life of an isotope if the decay constant is 1.6 × 10-2 yr-1?
(b) What order reaction is this? How can you tell?
6. Cobalt-56 has a half-life of 78 days. Starting with 1.42 mg of this isotope, how much would remain
after 312 days?
7.
241
95
Am is used in many home smoke alarms. If 33% of the americium in a smoke detector decays in
690 years, what is the half-life of this isotope?
8. The molar nuclear mass of boron-10 is 10.012937 g/mol. The molar mass of a proton is 1.007825
g/mol. The molar mass of a neutron is 1.008665 g/mol. Calculate the binding energy (in J/mol) of B10. (c = 2.998  108 m/s)
9. Calculate the energy released (per mole of tritium consumed) for the following fusion reaction,
4
2
He +
3
1
H 
6
3
Li + 01 n
given the following molar masses of nucleons and nuclei. (c = 2.998  108 m/s)
particle
mass (g/mol)
proton
1.007825
neutron
1.008665
tritium
3.01605
helium-4
4.00260
lithium-6
6.01512
10. Write definition for fusion and fission.
11. Write definition for Ci, Bq, Gy, Sv
12. Write at least 2 applications of nuclear chemistry.
13. Look up at least two articles regarding Japan’s nuclear reactor accident that happened on March 11,
2011. Site the sources. Write at least three interesting facts and why they were of interest to you.