Example Chapter Outline – Chemistry
Use this outline as a template (pattern) to follow when writing chapter outlines for
chemistry class. For my example, I have outlined the first section of Chapter19. Please
refer to the chapter to get a feel for the depth of information I am looking for.
Chapter 19 – Radioactivity and Nuclear
Energy
Jane Doe (your name)
Chemistry – W5 (your class period)
8/16/2011 (the date you write the outline)
Section 19.1 – Radioactivity
Nuclei of atoms are very small and very dense. Large amount of energy involved in
holding nucleons together in small space. Protons and neutrons make up nucleus.
Nucleons: protons and neutrons
Atomic number: number of protons in nucleus (Z)
Mass number: sum of number of protons and neutrons in nucleus (A)
Isotopes: Atoms that have identical atomic numbers but different mass numbers
Nuclide: term applied to each unique atom, represented by AZX where X represents
symbol for element.
A. Radioactive Decay
Nuclei can decay – in other words they can lose particles. A nuclear equation
can represent this decay – it shows the nuclide before and after
decomposition. The Z number on both sides of the equation must be equal.
Radioactive: a nuclide that experiences spontaneous decomposition
Beta particle: an electron, represented by 0-1e. Mass number = 0
Nuclear equation: Symbolic representation of nuclear decay;
e.g. 146C  147N + 0-1e
Types of Radioactivity
Different types of radioactive decay:
 production of an alpha particle, results in loss of mass nuber
and loss of 2 in atomic number:
o 22288Ra  42He + 21886Rn
 production of a beta particle, results in no change in mass
number, but increase of 1 in atomic number:
o 23490Th  23491Pa + 0-1e
 production of gamma rays, results in no change in mass
number and no change in atomic number:
o 23892U  42He + 23490Th + 200γ
 production of a positron, results in no change in mass number
and decrease of 1 in atom number
o 2211Na  01e + 2210Ne
 electron capture, rare, results in decrease of atomic number
and production of gamma rays:
o 20180Hg + 0-1e  20179Au + 00γ
Sometimes nuclide must go through series of radioactive decays to
reach stability.
Alpha particle: helium nucleus 42He
Alpha particle production: very common mode of decay for heavy
radioactive nuclides
Beta particle production: another common decay process
Gamma ray: a high-energy photon of light
Positron: a particle with the same mass as electron by opposite charge
Positron production: type of radioactive decay
Electron capture: process in which one of the inner-orbital electrons is
captured by the nucleus
B. Nuclear Transformations
Particles of an element can be bombarded by smaller particles moving at
very high speeds and thus be made to transform into another element.
Particle accelerators are used to achieve the high particle speeds necessary.
Positively charged α particles (He nuclei) and neutrally charged neutrons can
be used to bombard particles along with other small nuclei. This is how
scientists make new elements.
Transuranium elements: synthesized elements with atomic numbers 93 112
C. Detection of Radioactivity and the Concept of Half-life
There are two ways of detecting radioactivity mentioned in text – Geiger
counter and scintillation counter. Both involve the detection of particles
being struck by high-energy particles. Half-life is important concept – a
radioactive nucleus with a short half-life is much more likely to decay than a
nucleus with a long half-life.
Geiger-Muller or Geiger Counter: Detects radioactivity by measuring
ionization of Argon gas in the presence of rapidly moving particles being
released by radioactive decay
Scintillation Counter: Detects radioactivity by measuring light given off by
substance as its particles are hit by rapidly moving particles given off by
radioactive decay.
Half-life: Time required for half of the original sample of nuclei to decay.