Name:
Block:
Date:
Nuclear Chemistry Worksheet
Identify the following types of nuclear radiation
0
1
1.
e
2.
4
2
He
0
0
3.
γ
4. Has no mass or charge, almost always follows α or β decay
5. Occurs when a neutron breaks apart and forms a proton
6. Least penetrating nuclear decay
7. Most damaging nuclear decay to the human body
8. Nuclear decay that can be stopped by skin or paper.
9. Nuclear decay that can be stopped by aluminum.
10. As a result, a proton is transformed into a neutron
11. The opposite of beta decay
12. Type of decay isotopes >Z83 will undergo
Complete the following nuclear equations.
K →
13.
42
19
14.
9
Be
4
15.
6 Li
3
0e
-1
+
__________
16.
→
9Be
4
+ __________
17.
→
4He
2
+ __________
239 Pu
94
235
U
92
→
4
2
He + __________
→ _________ +
18. __________ →
142
56
Ba +
231
90
91
36
Th
Kr + 3
1
0
n
Nuclear Decay Series
The figure maps the radioactive decay of uranium-238 to lead-206. Use the figure to answer
the following questions.
92U

↑

84Po

↑

238
218
 
↓
214
82Pb

↑

234
90Th

↑

88Rn

↑

214
83Bi

↑

222
206
82Pb
Stable Iosotope

↑

19. How many alpha particles are
234
91Pa

↑

226
90Pa

↑

230
92Th
214
84Po

↑

210
82Pb
210
84Po

↑

produced as one atom of uranium-
234
92U
↓



238 decays to an atom of lead-206?
___________
20. How many beta particles?
21. Explain why lead-206 is a stable
↓
210
83Bi
isotope.


22. When protactinium-229 goes through two alpha decays, francium-221 is formed. Write the
nuclear equation for this.
23. Write the nuclear equation for the decay of Po-210 if it undergoes 2 consecutive alpha decay
followed by a beta decay followed by another alpha decay.
24. The decay chain (or series) of uranium-238 is shown in the following figure. What is the final
product in this decay series?
25. Using the figure to the right, list each type of
decay that uranium-238 goes through to become
lead-206.
26. Thorium-232 undergoes radioactive decay
until a stable isotope is reached. Write the
reactions for the decay of Th-238. There are
eleven steps beginning with Alpha decay with
each product becoming the reactant of the next decay. Circle the final Stable isotope.
• Alpha:
• Beta:
• Beta:
• Alpha:
• Alpha:
• Alpha:
• Alpha:
• Beta:
• Beta:
• Alpha: