Chapter 19: Nuclear Chemistry

These flashcards cover key concepts in nuclear chemistry as discussed in Chapter 19, focusing on radioactive isotopes, decay processes, detection methods, and applications.

What are radioisotopes?

Unstable nuclei that become stable by radioactive decay.

What does the atomic number (Z) represent?

The number of protons in an element's nucleus.

What is radioactivity?

The spontaneous decay of a nucleus, emitting particles and energy.

What is transmutation in nuclear chemistry?

The process where one element transforms into a different element due to radioactive decay.

What holds the nucleus together in atoms?

The strong nuclear force.

What is the 'Band of Stability'?

A region on a graph of neutron vs. proton ratios where stable isotopes are found.

What occurs during alpha decay?

Release of an alpha particle (He nucleus) leading to a decrease in mass and atomic number.

What happens during beta decay?

A neutron is transformed into a proton, causing an increase in atomic number by 1 without changing the mass number.

What is gamma radiation?

High energy photons emitted during radioactive decay, generally accompanying other decay types.

Define half-life in nuclear chemistry.

The time required for half of a radioactive sample to decay into daughter isotopes.

What are detection methods for radiation?

Geiger counters and scintillation counters are commonly used to detect radiation.

What is nuclear fission?

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei, accompanied by the release of energy.

What is nuclear fusion?

The process of combining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, which releases a significant amount of energy.

How can the age of an object be determined using carbon dating?

By comparing the C-14 ratio of the object to that of living tissue, decay is used to calculate the age.

What is a decay series?

A sequence of decay processes undergone by a radioactive isotope until a stable isotope is reached.

What are control rods used for in a nuclear reactor?

Control rods are used to manage the rate of fission reactions by absorbing neutrons.

What is critical mass in the context of nuclear fission?

The minimum amount of fissile material required to sustain a chain reaction.

How does the activity of a radioactive sample change over time?

The activity decreases exponentially over time, defined by the half-life.

What is the significance of the decay constant in radioactive decay?

The decay constant indicates the probability of decay per unit time for a radioactive isotope.