Chemistry
Objectives

Identify the two forces acting inside the nucleus and describe the role they play in
radioactivity.

Define radioactivity.

List and describe the three naturally occurring forms of radioactive decay.

Complete nuclear reactions.

Describe the difference in mass from one side of an equation to the other and
where that matter goes.

Distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.

What is a chain reaction? What role do the neutrons play in the process? What
does the term critical mass refer to in a chain reaction?

Define the term ½ life as it relates to radioactive decay.

Perform calculations related to whole ½ lives. Given ½ life, a period of time and
an initial amount determine a final amount or given initial and final amounts
determine the time that has passed.

Given a diagram label the parts of a nuclear power plant and describe what each
part does.

Write a persuasive essay either pro nuclear energy or opposed to nuclear energy.
o
o
o
o
What is the issue with waste?
What is a spent fuel rod?
What is nuclear proliferation?
What is a moderator?
Strong force: Nuclear force that holds the nucleus together.
Weak Force: The nuclear force that pulls the nucleus apart and is
responsible for radiation.
Radioactivity: the process by which unstable nuclei emit or absorb
particle in order to become stable nuclei.
What is nuclear binding energy? The reduction in mass of a nuclei
compared to the sum of its parts. Using e=mc2 you can calculate
the energy that is holding the nucleus together.
Alpha Decay: () Loss of a helium nucleus. Makes the nucleus
lighter.
Beta Decay (): Loss of an electron by the nucleus. Converts a
neutron into a proton.
Gamma Decay (): Light energy that accompanies radioactive
decay.
E=mc2 How does this equation relate to nuclear reactions?
Fission: Splitting of a large nucleus into smaller ones.
Fusion: Lighter nuclei coming together to make a larger one.
Biological effects: What types of cells are most affected by
radiation? Provide at least 2 examples. Rapidly reproducing cells
that are common in reproductive organs and developing fetuses.
Radiation has the ability to breaks bonds in DNA, why is that a
unique and significant health risk? This can lead to chromosomal
damage and possible birth defects.
What is a rem? A Rad? How much energy the radiation has. A
RBE? (Relative biological effectiveness) how dangerous is this
type of radiation.
What is a radioactive tracer and how is it used in medicine? How
does it differ from radiation treatment?
1. 10.0g of a substance with a half-life of 2 years will decay into 1.25 g in how long?
2. A 48g sample is changed into 6 g in 8 minutes. What is its half-life?
3. A substance has a half-life of 3 years. If you have 36.0g how much will you have
in 12 years?
4. You have 48g of a radioactive substance you need to deliver 6 grams If the ½ life
is 10 minutes how much time do you have?
5. What fraction of a substance is left after 4 half lives?