Worksheet 17

NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
Syllabus reference 9.2.5

1 Match the statement on the left with the most appropriate answer on the right. Write the
letter corresponding to this in the space provided.
_________ i Elements which actively emit radiation. a nuclear fission

_________ ii Elements with the same atomic number but b alpha particle
different mass number.
_________ iii Relatively heavy positively charged radioactive c carbon-14
emission with low penetrating power.
_________ iv Lighter negatively charged radioactive d transuranic
emission.
_________ v Penetrating ray similar to X-ray. e Geiger-Mller
counter
_________ vi Elements with atomic number greater than 92. f radioactive
_________ vii Radioactive isotope used for carbon dating. g half-life
_________ viii Final product of uranium-238 decay. h gamma
_________ ix Splitting a nucleus into two roughly equal i lead
fragments.
_________ x Time required for half the atoms in a given j isotopes
sample to undergo radioactive decay.
_________ xi One type of device used for detecting radiation. k beta particle
2 Complete the following table.

NAME ALPHA PARTICLE BETA PARTICLE GAMMA RAY

Symbol

Identity Electromagnetic
radiation
Relative mass 0.00055

Relative charge

Penetrating power Very low

Effect of electric and No effect

magnetic fields

Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill Australia CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY HSC Module 1 WS 17

3 a How many protons, neutrons and electrons are present in each of the following atoms?
i 7935Br

ii 8135Br

iii 9038Sr

iv 12353I

b Write the symbols of the type in Q3a for:

i iodine-131

ii iridium-193

iii antimony-121

iv rubidium-123

4 a Using the figure below, decide whether or not the following isotopes would be stable.

Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill Australia CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY HSC Module 1 WS 17

 i 5526Fe

ii 9344Ru

iii 24294Pu

b Describe the two conditions under which a nucleus is unstable.

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5 Describe two processes by which scientists have been able to produce transuranic
elements.

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Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill Australia CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY HSC Module 1 WS 17

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6 Name three instruments or processes that can be used to detect radiation.

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Copyright 2007 McGraw-Hill Australia CONQUERINGCHEMISTRY HSC Module 1 WS 17