Chemistry Worksheet
NAME: _____________________________
Nuclear Reactions Basics
Block: _________
1. Define radioactivity (radioactive decay) in your own words.
2. Explain how a nuclear reaction differs from a chemical reaction.
3. Fill in the following table for the indicated particles released during radioactive decay.
Particle
Isotope notation
Symbol
Description
alpha
beta
positron
4. These two radioactive elements that are alpha particle (α) emitters. Write the nuclear
reactions for each decay including the formation of the daughter products:
a.
213
84Po
 _____________________________________
b.
241
93Np
 _____________________________________
5. These two radioactive elements that are beta particle (β–) emitters. Write the nuclear
reactions for each decay including the formation of the daughter products:
a.
15
7N
 _______________________________________
b.
41
19K
 _______________________________________
6. These two radioactive elements that are positron (β+) emitters. Write the nuclear
reactions for each decay including the formation of the daughter products:
a.
56
27Co
 ______________________________________
b.
80
33As
 ______________________________________
7. These two radioactive elements decay by electron capture (EC). Write the nuclear
reactions for each decay including the formation of the daughter products:
a.
35
16S
b.
69
38Sr
+
+
0
−1𝑒
0
−1𝑒
 _________________________________
_________________________________
Copyright© 2015, Alan D. Crosby, Newton South High School, Newton, MA 02459