Chemistry Chapter 9

Chemistry Study Guide – Nuclear Chemistry Terms

1. Alpha Particle

• Front: "What is an alpha particle?"

• Back: "A type of radioactive decay particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons (a helium nucleus,
  2
  4
  
  H
  e
  
  
  24 He). It has low penetration and can be stopped by paper."

2. Background Radiation

• Front: "What is background radiation?"

• Back: "Radiation that is naturally present in the environment from sources like cosmic rays, soil, and radon gas."

3. Band of Stability

• Front: "What is the band of stability?"

• Back: "A graph showing the stable ratio of neutrons to protons in atomic nuclei, where stable isotopes lie."

4. Beta Particle

• Front: "What is a beta particle?"

• Back: "A high-energy electron (β
  −
  
  
  
  β−) or positron (β
  +
  
  
  
  β+) emitted during radioactive decay. It has moderate penetration, stopped by aluminum."

5. Binding Energy

• Front: "What is nuclear binding energy?"

• Back: "The energy required to separate the nucleons of an atom's nucleus. It explains the mass defect and nuclear stability."

6. Chain Reaction

• Front: "What is a nuclear chain reaction?"

• Back: "A self-sustaining process where released neutrons from nuclear fission cause further fission reactions."

7. Control Rods

• Front: "What are control rods in a nuclear reactor?"

• Back: "Rods made of neutron-absorbing materials (like boron or cadmium) that regulate the fission reaction rate."

8. Critical Mass

• Front: "What is critical mass?"

• Back: "The minimum amount of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction."

9. Curie (Ci)

• Front: "What is a curie?"

• Back: "A unit of radioactivity, defined as 3.7
  ×
  10
  10
  
  
  
  3.7×1010 disintegrations per second."

10. Electromagnetic Force

• Front: "What is the electromagnetic force in the nucleus?"

• Back: "The force causing protons to repel each other due to their positive charge."

11. Fuel Rod

• Front: "What is a fuel rod in a nuclear reactor?"

• Back: "A rod containing fissile material (e.g., uranium-235) used to sustain nuclear fission."

12. Gamma Ray

• Front: "What is a gamma ray?"

• Back: "High-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a nucleus during radioactive decay. It has high penetration, requiring thick lead or concrete shielding."

13. Geiger Counter

• Front: "What is a Geiger counter?"

• Back: "A device that detects ionizing radiation by measuring electric pulses caused by radiation interacting with gas."

14. Half-Life

• Front: "What is half-life?"

• Back: "The time required for half of a radioactive sample to decay into stable atoms."

15. Ionization Counter

• Front: "What is an ionization counter?"

• Back: "A radiation detector that measures ionized particles created by radioactive decay."

16. Mass Defect

• Front: "What is mass defect?"

• Back: "The difference between the total mass of nucleons in an atom and the actual mass of the nucleus, explained by E
  =
  m
  c
  2
  
  
  
  E=mc2."

17. Moderator

• Front: "What is a moderator in a nuclear reactor?"

• Back: "A material (e.g., water or graphite) that slows down neutrons to sustain fission."

18. Nuclear Fission

• Front: "What is nuclear fission?"

• Back: "A reaction where a large nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, releasing energy."

19. Nuclear Force

• Front: "What is the nuclear force?"

• Back: "A strong force that holds protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, overcoming the repulsion of protons."

20. Nuclear Fusion

• Front: "What is nuclear fusion?"

• Back: "A reaction where two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy (e.g., in the Sun)."

21. Nuclear Reactor

• Front: "What is a nuclear reactor?"

• Back: "A system that controls nuclear fission reactions to generate energy."

22. Nucleons

• Front: "What are nucleons?"

• Back: "The particles (protons and neutrons) found in the nucleus of an atom."

23. Plasma

• Front: "What is plasma?"

• Back: "A high-energy state of matter where electrons are separated from nuclei, found in stars and fusion reactors."

24. Primary Loop

• Front: "What is the primary loop in a nuclear power plant?"

• Back: "The closed system where coolant transfers heat from the reactor core."

25. Rad

• Front: "What is a rad?"

• Back: "A unit measuring radiation absorbed dose (1 rad = 0.01 Gy)."

26. Radioactive Decay

• Front: "What is radioactive decay?"

• Back: "The spontaneous breakdown of a nucleus, emitting radiation."

27. Radioactive Decay Series

• Front: "What is a radioactive decay series?"

• Back: "A sequence of radioactive decays where unstable isotopes transform into stable ones."

28. Radioactivity

• Front: "What is radioactivity?"

• Back: "The process where unstable atomic nuclei emit radiation."

29. Rem

• Front: "What is a rem?"

• Back: "A unit measuring the biological effect of radiation (1 rem = 0.01 Sv)."

30. Scintillation Counter

• Front: "What is a scintillation counter?"

• Back: "A device that detects radiation by measuring flashes of light produced when radiation interacts with a material."

31. Secondary Loop

• Front: "What is the secondary loop in a nuclear power plant?"

• Back: "A separate water system that receives heat from the primary loop and converts it to steam to drive turbines."

32. Shell Model of the Nucleus

• Front: "What is the shell model of the nucleus?"

• Back: "A model describing nucleons arranged in energy levels within the nucleus, similar to electron shells."

33. Steam Generator

• Front: "What is a steam generator in a nuclear plant?"

• Back: "A device that converts heat from the reactor into steam to drive turbines."