Nuclear Chemistry
2007
20 minutes
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Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
2007
20 minutes
Program Synopsis
The program deals with the development of early theories of the atom and how our knowledge of the structure of
the nucleus developed. The major figures involved in the study of the nucleus and their discoveries are described.
The types of nuclear radiation, their properties and how they are detected are dealt with in a clear and logical
manner. Fission and fusion are compared. The uses (and dangers) of nuclear radiation are dealt with. Animation is
used to good advantage to illustrate many usually hard to grasp concepts.
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Nuclear Chemistry
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Nuclear Chemistry
Teacher Notes:
Peter Gribben
BA, BSc (Hons), PGCE
Introduction
For centuries scientists and others have developed ideas, theories and models about matter, and in particular,
how its composition at an atomic level can be best understood – including the quantity and structure of sub-atomic
particles. Over the years our understanding of nuclear chemistry has come a long way. It has been responsible for
significant technological advancements in our recent past, and will continue to shape many aspects of scientific
research and development into the future.
Program Rationale
A thorough knowledge of atomic theory and causes and effects of nuclear (ionising) radiation is essential for any
student of Chemistry. The way in which the understanding of the nucleus was built by using previous discoveries
is a classic example of the process of scientific research.
Program Timeline
00:00:00
00:01:14
00:03:34
00:08:15
00:14:05
00:17:25
00:19:21
Introduction
Chapter 1 – The Composition of Atoms and their Nuclei
Chapter 2 – Stable and Unstable Nuclei
Chapter 3 – Radioisotopes and their uses
Chapter 4 – Fission and Fusion
Conclusion
Credits
Useful Resources
Books and Other Print Resources
•
Most Year 10 Science texts and 11/12 Chemistry text books have a good description of the nucleus.
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Nuclear Chemistry
Program Worksheet
Before the Program
1
Name the three major sub-atomic particles.
2
Where are electrons located in an atom?
3
Which particles are found in the nucleus?
4
What do the scientists Dalton, JJ Thompson, Rutherford and Böhr all have in common?
5
Name two pieces of information about an element shown in the periodic table.
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Nuclear Chemistry
During the Program
Have a pen/pencil and paper ready. Consider the following terms:
nucleon, radioactive, radiation, isotope, binding force, stable, alpha, beta, gamma, Becquerel, cloud chamber,
Geiger-Müller tube, the Curies, Rutherford, Soddy, radioisotope, transmutation, decay, half life, Fermi, Hahn,
Meitner, Strassmann, radiotherapy, fission, nuclear waste, plutonium, fusion, thermonuclear, Bohr.
As the program plays, as these terms occur, jot down a quick thought about them.
a)
nucleon
b)
radioactive
c)
isotope
d)
stable
e)
alpha particle
f)
beta particle
g)
gamma ray
h)
Henri Becquerel
i)
cloud chamber
j)
Ernest Rutherford
k)
Geiger Muller tube
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Nuclear Chemistry
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Nuclear Chemistry
l)
radioisotope
m) transmutation
n)
decay
o)
half life
p)
radiotherapy
q)
fission
r)
nuclear waste
s)
plutonium
t)
fusion
u)
thermonuclear
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Nuclear Chemistry
After the Program
After the program has been viewed, complete the sentences using words from the list.
Alpha, Becquerel, beta, binding force, cloud chamber, decays, fission, fusion, gamma, Geiger-Müller tube, half life,
isotopes, nuclear waste, nucleons, plutonium, radioactive, radiation, radioisotope, radiotherapy, stable,
thermonuclear, transmutation.
1
Protons and neutrons are also known as
.
2
Unstable nuclei are
3
Alpha, beta and gamma area all types of nuclear
.
4
.
particles are helium nuclei and
particles are fast moving electrons.
5
Elements with different numbers of neutrons exist as
6
Particles in the nucleus are held together by a
7
Elements that don’t decay are
8
A
9
The amount of radiation present in a sample can be measured using a
counter.
10
11 A
12
.
.
shows the path of ionising radiation.
and
discovered radiation when uranium affected some of his photographic plates.
is a radioactive isotope of an element.
is the change of one chemical element into another.
13 Radiation activity is measured in
14 The
..
or disintegrations per second.
of a radioisotope is the time taken for its radioactivity to fall to
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Nuclear Chemistry
half of its initial value.
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Nuclear Chemistry
15
can be used to treat cancer patients.
16 Many people oppose the use of radioactive materials for power generation because of the difficulties of
disposing of
.
17
is a by-product of some nuclear processes.
18
is the process of nuclei joining.
19 Nuclear fusion can result in a
explosion.
Decide whether the following statements are true or false
1.
Neils Bohr was the first person to come up with a theory on atomic structure.
2.
Electrons have approximately 2000 times the mass of a proton.
3.
All elements with an atomic number greater than 83 are radioactive.
4.
Unstable nuclei become stable by emitting radiation.
5.
The Periodic table lists all elements, both natural and synthetic.
6.
Irene and Frederick Curie produced the first radioactive isotope.
7.
The half lives of all radioactive elements are the same.
8.
In nuclear reactions, mass can be changed to energy.
9.
Radiation can be used to destroy abnormal cells.
10. Radiation can be used to measure the thickness of sheets of metal.
11. Nuclear power stations have only been constructed in the last ten years.
12. Fusion is the process occurring in the Sun.
13. Plutonium can remain radioactive for many thousands of years.
14. Knowing the half-life of a radioisotope can help us determine the age of geological materials and artefacts.
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