Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Video 1: Nuclear Chemistry Definitions (16:42)
Section 1: Basic Definitions
Nuclear Chemistry
Radioactivity
Nuclear Decay
Radiation
Section 2: Types of Radiation to Know
Radiation
Proton
Neutron
Electron (beta-minus)
Positron (beta-plus)
Alpha particle
Gamma radiation
Description and Symbol
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Section 3: Properties of Certain Types of Radiation
Property
Alpha Particle
Beta-minus
particle
Beta-positive
particle
Gamma Radiation
Charge
Speed
Can be stopped
by…
Section 4: Isotopes
Definition:
There are two ways to identify isotopes:
Hyphen Notation = element – mass number
Example:
Chemical Configuration
Example:
Isotopes of hydrogen have special names:
Deuterium and tritium are radioactive isotopes of hydrogen, but protium is not radioactive. Why are some isotopes
radioactive but others are not?
Transuranium elements =
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Section 4 Example Problems
1. Write the hyphen-notation and the chemical configuration for an iron atom that has 23 electrons and 32 neutrons.
2. Write the hyphen-notation and determine the number of protons, neutrons and electrons for 32P.
15
Vocabulary
Things to Memorize
Formulas
Questions for the Teacher
Stamp
Video 2: Chemical vs. Nuclear Reactions (6:32)
Section 5: Nuclear Reactions v Chemical Reactions
Chemical Reaction
Nuclear Reaction
Forms
Energy changes
Involves
Section 6: Writing Nuclear Reactions
1. Set up 2 equations: one using the mass (top) numbers and the other using the atomic (bottom) numbers.
2. Calculate the missing mass number.
3. Calculate the missing atomic number.
4. Use the atomic/mass #s to determine the identity of the missing particle.
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Section 6 Example
29
Mg
12
 -10e + __________
*Notice that the mass (top) numbers and the atomic (bottom) numbers follow the Law of Conservation of Mass:
Mass Numbers:
29 = 0 + ______
Atomic Numbers:
12 = -1 + ______
Section 7: Types of Nuclear Reactions
Emit means:
Alpha Emission
Definition:
Example: Alpha decay of 241Am
1. Fill in the missing particle for the alpha decay of radon-222.
𝟐𝟐𝟐
Rn
𝟖𝟔
 𝟒He + __________
𝟐
2. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha particle emission by uranium-235.
Beta Emission
Definition:
Example: Beta decay of 14C
3.
Fill in the missing particle for the beta decay of magnesium-27.
27
Mg
12
0
 __________ + -1e
4. Write the nuclear equation for the beta particle emission by iodine-131.
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Positron Emission
Definition:
Example: Positron Emission of 11C
5. Fill in the particle that is missing from the equation for the positron emission by potassium-40.
40
K
19
 0e + __________
1
6. Write the nuclear equation for the positron emission by oxygen-15.
Electron Capture
Definition:
Example: Electron capture of 7Be
7. Fill in the particle that is missing from the equation for the electron capture by iodine-125.
125
I
53
0
+ -1e  __________
8. Write the nuclear equation for the electron capture by sodium-22.
Gamma Emission
-Gamma rays are emitted during…
-Gamma rays do NOT change the mass # or atomic # because they are _________________ not __________________.
9. Use the picture below to help explain why there is no change in the element or the isotope during gamma
emission.
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
240
Pu*
94
240
Pu
94
γ ray
Vocabulary
Things to Memorize
Formulas
Questions for the Teacher
Stamp
Video 3 Fission and Fusion (8:27)
Fission vs. Fusion
Fission
Definition:
Occurs in:
•
•
•
Example of a Fission Reaction:
1
0n
92
141
1
+ 235
92U  56 ______ + 36 _____ + 3 0 _____
•
*Notice that neutrons are on both the reactant side and product side. The neutrons produced can hit other
235
U atoms to start a new fission reaction. This is called a ___________________.
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Power: Pros and Cons
Pros
•
Cons
•
•
•
•
•
Nuclear Power Plant
In the reactor, uranium-235 in
the fuel rods is bombarded by
neutrons to undergo
radioactive decay. One of the
products of the nuclear
reaction is more neutrons.
These neutrons bombard
other uranium-235 atoms.
This process of the neutron
products causing new
reactions to occur is called a
chain reaction.
Understanding the Nuclear Power Plant
PARTS
A. Containment structure
B. Control Rods
C. Reactor
D. Steam generator
H. Turbine
K. Fuel Rods
I. Condenser
Function in the nuclear power plant
Unit 5: Nuclear Chemistry
Fusion
Definition:
Occurs in:
Example:
2
______
1
+ 31______  42______ + 10_____
Fusion Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
•
•
•
•
•
Vocabulary
Things to Memorize
Formulas
Questions for the Teacher
Stamp
Student Notes - Nuclear Chemistry
QR Codes: Unit 5 Nuclear Chemistry
General Chemistry
Video 1: Nuclear Chemistry Definitions (16:42)
Video 2: Chemical vs. Nuclear Reactions (6:32)
Video 3 Fission and Fusion (8:27)
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