Nuclear Chemistry and Half-Lives Review

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to atomic structure, isotopes, and radioactive half-life.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom, which determines the element's identity.

Mass Number

The total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Isotopes

Atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number but different mass numbers due to varying numbers of neutrons.

Half-Life

The time required for half of the radioactive material in a sample to decay.

Decay

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.

Radioactive

A term describing substances that decay and emit radiation.

Graph of Half-Life

A visual representation that shows the amount of radioactive material remaining over time.

What is the half life of this material?

10 Days

If 50% of the material remains of a sample, how long did that decay for?

10 Days

What is the half life of this material?

15 years

If 25% of the sample remains, how many lives have occured?

2 lives

If 12.5% of the sample remains, how long did it take?

45 years