Classification of Nuclear Reactions, Practice Worksheet
Types of Nuclear Reactions:
Natural decay
-A radionuclide emits radiation in the form of energy or small particles.
(alpha, beta, beta+ (positron), and gamma emissions)
Electron capture
-A neutron poor radioisotope combines a proton with captured electron to produce a neutron.
Fission
-natural or artificial production of two smaller daughter nuclides from one large nuclide, often
accompanied by energy
and small particles.
Fusion:
-Combination of two or more nuclei to form a third, different nucleus.
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
BALANCING NUCLEAR REACTIONS WORKSHEET
Predict the missing product or reactant in the following nuclear reactions. Determine the type of nuclear reaction (α
emission, β emission, γ emission, positron emission, artificial transmutation, fission, or fusion) described.
Type of Nuclear Reaction:
⟶
1.)
1.)
42 K
19
2.)
239 Pu
94
3.)
235 U
92
⟶ _____ +
4.)
1 H
1
+
3
1
H ⟶ _____
4.)
5.)
6 Li
3
+
1
0
n ⟶
5.)
6.)
27 Al
13
7.)
9 Be
4
+
8.)
37 K
19
⟶
⟶
+
e + _____
0
-1
4
2
1
1
4
2
4
2
He + _____
H ⟶ _____ +
4
2
⟶
9.)
_____ +
10.)
238 U
92
4
2
11.)
14 C
6
12.)
187 Re
75
7.)
13.)
22 Na
11
14.)
218 Po
84
⟶ _____ +
15.)
253 Es
99
+
91 Kr
36
1
0
+ 3
1
0
n
n
+ _____ ⟶
He ⟶
11.)
188
75
22
10
4
2
1
0
9.)
10.)
N + _____
+ _____ ⟶
4
2
He
8.)
Ba +
142
56
He ⟶ _____ +
14
7
6.)
e + _____
1 n
0
⟶
3.)
231 Th
90
He ⟶ 3015 P + _____
0
+1
+
2.)
He + _____
Re +
1
1
H
Ne
He
n + _____
12.)
13.)
14.)
15.)
Write the Balanced nuclear equations for the alpha decay of:
a) Plutonium-234
b) Strontium-90
Write the balanced nuclear equations for the alpha, beta and gamma decay of Radium-226