NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY

CHEM B Unit 6
TCAH

Unit 6 Study Guide Doc LINK

Radioactivity (radioactive decay)-the spontaneous
emission of rays or particles from certain elements such as
uranium.
Nuclear radiation- the radioactivity from a radioactive
source
Radioisotopes- unstable isotopes

VOCABULARY
 Essay
question 3

Alpha Radiation
Helium nuclei are emitted from a radioactive source. The helium nuclei
that is emitted is called an alpha particle (it contains two protons and two
neutrons).
Nuclear atom: Atomic number decreases by 2; mass number decreases by
4.
Low penetrating power due to large mass and big charge
Sheet of paper or your skin can stop them

RADIATION TYPES
Beta radiation
A neutron breaks apart into a proton, which remains the nucleus,
and a fast-moving electron, which is released.
Mass is very small
Moderate penetrating power
Stopped by aluminum foil or pieces of wood

RADIATION TYPES
Gamma Radiation
A high-energy photon emitted by a radioisotope is called a gamma ray.
Nuclei often emit gamma rays along with alpha or beta particles.
Gamma rays do not have a mass or charge, so there is no change to the atomic
number or mass number of the atom.
Gamma rays are extremely penetrating and can be very dangerous. They pass easily
through paper, wood, and the human body. They can be stopped by several meters
of concrete or several cm of lead.

RADIATION TYPES
WHAT CAUSES RADIOACTIVE DECAY?
Ratio of Neutrons to Protons

▶ Nuclei above or below the band of

stability will undergo radiation
▶ The type of radiation depends on
the reason for the instability
(determined by the neutron-to-
proton ratio).
▶ Some nuclei have too many
neutrons.
▶ Some nuclei have too few
neutrons.
1. Some nuclei have too many neutrons so they undergo
Beta emission. These nuclei decay by turning a neutron
into a proton to emit a beta particle.
2. Some nuclei have too few neutrons so they undergo
Electron capture. These nuclei increase their stability by
converting a proton to a neutron. This process requires
that an electron be captured by the nucleus.

TYPES OF DECAY
Half life -The time for half of the radioactive nuclei in a given
sample to undergo decay.

Nuclear reactions are not like chemical reactions where we can

manipulate the speed with other factors such as temperature,
catalysts, etc.

RADIOACTIVE HALF-LIFE (T1/2 ):

 COMMON RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES
Isotope Half-Life Radiation Emitted

Carbon-14 5,730 years β, γ

Radon-222 3.8 days α

Uranium-235 7.0 x 108 years α, γ

Uranium-238 4.46 x 109 years α

Essay question 1
EXAMPLE

You have 100 g of radioactive C-14. The half-life of C-14 is

5730 years.
▶ How many grams are left after one half-life? Answer: 50 g

▶ How many grams are left after two half-lives? Answer: 25 g

▶ How many years have passed when the sample is found to

have 12.5g of radioactive C-14?
Answer: 17,190 years
 Essay
Question 2

Transmutation - the conversion of one element into

another.

Occurs by radioactive decay

naturally
Occurs artificially in laboratory by
bombarding nucleus with particles

TRANSMUTATION
Fission Fusion
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into smaller Small nuclei combine and release much more
parts energy than fission reactions
Neutrons are released and can collide with Only occur at extremely high temperatures
other nuclei causing a “chain reaction”
Most power plants use carbon and water as
moderators to control chain reactions

NUCLEAR FISSION AND FUSION

Geiger counter: a device used to detect
nuclear radiation.
Film badge: A roll of film wrapped in paper.
Gas-filled tube used to measure radiation.
The more the film is exposed, the more
Gas atoms are ionized in presence of nuclear radiation it’s been exposed to.
radiation, creating an electric current that can
be measured.

DETECTING RADIATION NEAR A

RADIOACTIVE SITE
Agricultural tracers- used to test effects of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
Diagnosing Medical Problems-Used to detect thyroid gland disorders, brain
tumors, liver disorders, and skin cancer. These radioisotopes should have a short
half-life to minimize harm.
Treating diseases- radiation is used to treat cancer, seeding can be used to treat
cancer, thyroid diseases can be treated with radioisotopic prescription
medications.

USING RADIATION