Nuclear Chemistry Review

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts in nuclear chemistry, including radioactivity, transmutation, and nuclear reactions.

What are unstable radioactive elements called?

Radioisotopes

What is the atomic number threshold above which an element's nuclei is radioactive?

83

What naturally occurs when a radioisotope decays to produce a new element?

Natural Transmutation

What general equation represents natural transmutation?

A -> B + C

What are man-made reactions that usually involve splitting a heavy nucleus or combining light nuclei called?

Artificial Transmutation

What general equation represents artificial transmutation?

A + B -> C + D

What occurs when the products of one reaction cause more reactions?

Chain Reaction

What is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a given sample of an element to decay?

Half-life

What table is used to find Half-life?

Table N

What are radioisotopes uses that helps in determining the age of a material?

Dating

What branch of chemistry deals with reactions in the nucleus?

Nuclear Chemistry

Where do nuclear reactions occur?

In the nucleus

What is produced in nuclear reactions?

New element(s)

What type of heat is released in nuclear reactions?

Enormous amount

Where do chemical reactions occur?

Outside the nucleus

What is NOT produced in chemical reactions?

New elements

What occurs when one element changes into a different element?

Transmutation

What neutron to proton ratio range is considered stable?

Between 1:1 – 1.5:1

What does a greater neutron/proton ratio indicates?

More likely to be unstable