Practical Chemistry
TEST Objectives/Notes:
Unit 3:
NUCLEAR Chemistry
 Define radioisotope and state why certain elements are radioactive.
o Elements with atomic numbers greater than 83 are unstable and undergo decay.
o An isotope that is unstable and thus radioactive, is call a radioisotope.
o Isotope: atoms having the same atomic number but a different atomic mass.
 Recognize isotopes of an element and interpret isotopic notation.
o Remember, isotopes have the same atomic number! (But different atomic mass.)
o Isotopic Notation for carbon: 126C or C-14 (hyphen notation).
 List the common nuclear particles, and write their symbols.
o Alpha, Beta, Positron and Gamma radiation (refer to Table O in Reference Table).
o Know the identity of the numbers written as part of the symbol for these particles.
o Also know their penetrating power: high, moderate, or low.
 Predict products of natural decay reactions.
o Use Table N in the Reference Table to determine what particle emission occurring
during natural decay of a radioisotope.
o Identify the types of radioactive decay a sample undergoes.

Write and balance nuclear reactions undergoing transmutation.
o Understand the symbol notation.
o Remember that the total charge/mass on the reactant (left) side of the “yields” sign
() must equal the total charge/mass on the product (right) side of the equation.
 Distinguish between natural and artificial transmutation reactions.
o Natural transmutation is a spontaneous emission of radiation from an unstable
nucleus in order to achieve stability. (ONE reactant on left side of  sign).
o Artificial transmutation occurs when the nucleus is bombarded with high-energy
particles causing the change in the nucleus (TWO reactants on left side of  sign).
 Define the difference between fission and fusion.
o A fission reaction involves the splitting (or breaking up) of a heavy nucleus to
produce lighter (lower atomic number) nuclei.
o A fusion reaction involves the combining (or building up) of two light nuclei to
produce a heavier (higher atomic number) nucleus.
 Define the term Half-Life and solve problems involving its terms.
o The time it takes for half of the atoms in a given sample of an element to decay is
called the half-life of the element. Each isotope has its own half-life.
o Use Table N in the Reference Table to determine the half-life of a radioisotope.
 Describe the uses of radioactive isotopes.
o Relating to Dating (organic: C-14; geological: U-238)
o Tracers (P-31: plants; C-14: organic)
o Medical treatments (thyroid: I-131; tumors: Co-60; Tc-99)