NUCLEAR REACTIONS WEBQUEST
Go to: http://www.wwnorton.com/college/chemistry/gilbert2/contents/ch20/studyplan.asp
-OR- Google wwnorton chemistry studyspace click the book cover & choose
chapter 20.
**You will be doing 3 different chem tours click the link that matches the heading
Fusion on Hydrogen
1. Hydrogen fusion is the ____________ reaction in which hydrogen
_____________ fuse together under very high temperature and
________________ to create ___________________.
2. This reaction releases _______________________ amounts of energy and is
responsible for the heat and light created by the _______________.
3. Real world connections: How was hydrogen fusion used after WWII?
4. Real world connections: Why are scientists developing hydrogen fusion in
power plants?
5. The Hydrogen Fusion Reaction occurs over several steps
a. Step 1: 2 hydrogen nuclei (_________________) fuse together to form a
________________ and a ________________.
 A deuteron is the nucleus of deuterium (__________) atom
 A positron is a positively charged _________________
 ______+
b. Step 2: Each deuteron combines with one _____________ to form a
_______ nucleus

+ ________
c. Step 3: 2
collide to form a __________ nucleus.
 This reaction regenerates 2 free _______________, which can
participate in a new round of ________________________

_________ + __________ + __________
d. The end reaction for the fusion of hydrogen to helium is
 4 ______  _______ + 2 ________
e. Positrons from fusion collide with ______________ present in the sun's
core. These particles ____________________ each other, and the mass
is converted into _______________ in the form of ______ rays.
6. All stars in the universe consume ____________ as fuel. The fusion reaction
produces heat and light and is the first step in the creation of ____________
___________________. Only _________ stars have the _____________________ &
_____________________ needed to create the __________________ elements.
7. Science Connections: The amount of energy released by fusion can be
calculated by the equation ________________________. About _________%
of the mass of hydrogen used is converted into ____________________.
Radioactive Decay Modes
8. Radioactive decay is a ____________________________ process where an
___________________ atomic nucleus disintegrates, emitting
_______________________ in the process.
9. 4 modes of decay are _______________________, _________________________,
_________________________________, ________________________________
10. Real World Connections: Radioactive decay is going on all around us.
What are 2 uses for radioactive material?
11. Alpha Decay: an ____-particle is ejected from the _____________ nucleus
of a radioactive element.
a. An -particle consists of 2 _______________& 2 _________________ and is
identical to the nucleus of a __________ atom.
b. The loss of protons results in the formation of a new _________________
12. Beta Decay: a _____-particle is ejected from the ______________ nucleus
of a radioactive element.
a. a β-particle is a ____________________________________.
b. A neutron converts to a _______________during the loss of a___charge
c. The increase in protons makes a new element with _________________
13. Positron Emission: a positron is ejected from the _________________ nucleus
of a radioactive element.
a. A proton converts to a _____________ as the ___charge is lost.
b. The decrease in protons makes a new element with atomic # of ____
14. Electron Capture: an orbital _____________ is captured by the ____________
nucleus of a radioactive element.
a. The gain of a ____ charge converts 1 proton into a _________________.
b. This decrease in protons produces an element with atomic # of _____
 The reaction emits an uncharged, massless particle called a _______
15. Science Connections: Another kind of radiation consists of _________ rays.
a. They're identical to _____________& can be harmful to human________
16. Concept Question: 2 types of radioactive decay have the same net
effect on the nucleus. Which 2 and Why?
Balancing Nuclear Reactions
17. Nuclear reactions differ from chemical reactions because they involve
altering the_______________ so elements are _______________& ___________
18. Real World Connections: What percent of the world's electricity is nuclear
power?
19. Label the parts of the symbols used in nuclear reactions
20. Know these symbols & their meanings to understand nuclear reactions.
21. Two conditions must be met to balance nuclear
reactions:
a. sum of the mass of ________________ must =
the sum of the mass of __________________
b. sum of the_______________of reactants must =
the sum of protons of the__________________
22. Go through the sample problems and pay close
attention to how they're done; you will be doing
the practice problems.
a. Question1: read the directions & complete the question and check
answer to see if you were right!
b. Question 2:
c. Question 3:
d. Question 4:
23. Nuclear reactions are different from chemical reactions in that
________________________________________________________.
24. Science Connections: The _____________ that nuclear reactions occur
_______________ wildly.
 The term _____________________ describes the rate at which
_________________________ elements decay.
Go to: http://www.uccs.edu/~faculty/danderso/vgcl/nuclear/nucl_expt_1.html
-OR- Google: UCCS virtual nuclear chemistry. You’ll be doing experiments 1 & 2
25. Experiment 1: Radiation & Matter. Complete the experiment & fill out the table
26. What type of material would provide enough protection for a person
working with alpha-emitting substances?
27. What type of material would provide enough protection for a person
working with beta-emitting substances?
28. Is there a type of material that is effective against gamma rays?
29. What would you need to protect yourself from gamma radiation?
30. Experiment 2: Types of Radiation. Complete the experiment & fill out the table
31. Iodine-131, used for the treatment of goiter, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid
cancer, emits both beta and gamma particles. What type of shielding
should be used when working with I-131? Why?
32. X rays are similar to gamma rays. Why is a lead apron placed over a
patient’s chest and lab when receiving routine X rays in the dentist’s office?