Nuclear Chemistry Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from the Nuclear Chemistry Review notes.

Beta particle

_-1⁰ e, β^-

Symbol of alpha particle

₂^4​He, α

Neutron

₀¹n, ​n​

Positron

₊₁⁰​e, β+

What happens to the nucleus of an atom during alpha decay?

The nucleus loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons (an alpha particle), decreasing the atomic number by 2 and the mass number by 4.

What happens to the nucleus of an atom during beta decay?

A neutron in the nucleus turns into a proton and an electron. The electron (beta particle) is emitted, and the atomic number increases by 1, but the mass number stays the same.

What is “background radiation”?

Background radiation is the low level of natural radiation that is always present in the environment. It comes from sources like cosmic rays from space, radioactive materials in the Earth, and even small amounts in food, air, and building materials.

Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons of Kr-73

36 protons, 37 neutrons, 36 electrons

What must be conserved in a nuclear reaction?

Both mass number (top number) and atomic number (bottom number) must be conserved (balanced) on both sides of the equation.

What is an alpha particle, and how does alpha decay affect the nucleus?

An alpha particle is ^4_2He (2 protons, 2 neutrons). Alpha decay decreases the mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2.

What is beta minus decay (\beta⁻ decay)?

A neutron turns into a proton, emitting an electron (_0^{-1}e). The atomic number increases by 1, mass number stays the same.

What is beta plus decay (\beta⁺ decay) or positron emission?

A proton turns into a neutron, emitting a positron (_0^{+1}e). The atomic number decreases by 1, mass number stays the same.

What is electron capture?

The nucleus captures an inner orbital electron (_0^{-1}e), converting a proton into a neutron. Atomic number decreases by 1, mass number stays the same.

How do you find the unknown particle in a nuclear equation?

Subtract the sum of known products’ mass and atomic numbers from the reactants’ sums. The difference is the unknown particle.

What is a neutron and how does it appear in nuclear reactions?

A neutron is _0^1n (mass 1, atomic number 0). It can be absorbed or emitted during nuclear reactions like fission or neutron capture.

What is a proton and how does it appear in nuclear reactions?

A proton is _1^1H (mass 1, atomic number 1). It can be emitted or captured during nuclear reactions.

How to balance nuclear equations with compound particles (like carbon-12)?

Add atomic and mass numbers of all reactants and products; balance by finding unknowns so total mass and atomic numbers are equal on both sides.

What is the significance of gamma rays (𝛾) in nuclear reactions?

Gamma rays are energy released during nuclear transitions; they have zero mass and zero charge and often appear in equations alongside other particles.