Ch 21 Nuclear Chemistry

An atom is mostly

empty space

Almost all of an atom’s mass is contained in the

nucleus

Atomic number (Z)

Number of protons in an atoms nucleus

Atomic mass (A)

number protons + number neutrons

Nucleon

any component of a nucleus (either proton or neutron)

Isotopes

atoms of the same element with different atomic masses (different number of neutrons)

Ordinary or nuclear?

Isotopes have same chemical properties

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Isotopes have differing properties

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Identity of atoms is preserved

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Conversion of one element to another

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Reaction rate affected by ΔT, ΔP, and catalysts

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Reaction rate unaffected by ΔT, ΔP, and catalysts

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Involves small changes in energy

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Involves huge amounts of energy

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Mass is consumed

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Mass is converted to energy

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Change how atoms are connected

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

Changes in nucleus

nuclear

Ordinary or nuclear?

Reaction occurs in e

ordinary

Ordinary or nuclear?

e are “ignored”

nuclear

In nuclear transformations, atoms of certain isotopes are

unstable

Nuclear transformations decay _____, releasing ____

spont, radiation and energy

Alpha decay

⁴₂ He

A decreases by 4

Z decreases by 2

Beta decay

High energy e: ⁰_-1 e

A unchanged

Z increase by 1

Balancing nuclear reactions

sum of Z right = sum of Z left

sum of A right = sum of A left