C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Part I: What’s My Radiation Type?
1. 
My type of radiation: _______________________________________________________
2. 
My Question of Inquiry
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. 
Make a prediction about the three types of radiation. What do you think is the most
significant characteristic of each type of radiation?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. 
Describe and draw the three radiation types, starting with the one you are assigned.
Type 1: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Type 2: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Type 3: ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
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C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Part I: What’s My Radiation Type?, continued
4. 
Each of the types of radiation can be stopped by a different kind of barrier. Sketch a
barrier that will stop each type of radiation and label what it is.
α radiation
β radiation
γ radiation
5. 
Sketch how each type of radiation would react as it emerges from the radiation source.
Use a different color or type of line for each form of radiation and make a key to
identify the lines.
Applied Electric Field
+
Radiation Source
-
2 C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Part I: What’s My Radiation Type?, continued
6. 
Fill in the characteristic properties of each type of radiation in the table below.
Property
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Composition
(particles or rays)
Symbol
Charge
Description of
particle or ray
Can be blocked by
(barrier)
.
7. 
Complete the nuclear equations by filling in the missing nucleus or particle. Use a
Periodic table and the alpha and beta particles below for reference. Demonstrate how
mass is conserved by writing the addition of the mass numbers and atomic numbers of
the reactants and products.
Alpha particle :
A.
B.
C.
4
2 He
238
92 U à
or
4
2 He
0
________ à -1 β
218
84Po à
0
4 α
2
214 Pb
82
Beta particle : -1 β
0 e
or -1
Conservation of mass
+
________
+ 142 Nd
60
+
_____
3 Mass number 238 = 4 + ___
Atomic number 92 = 2 + ___
Mass number
___ = 0 + 142
Atomic number ___ = -1 + 60
Mass number 218 = 214 + ___
Atomic number 84 = 82 + ___
C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Part II: Radioactivity and Medicine
1. 
My radioactive isotope:
__________________________________________________________________________
2. 
For what is it used?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. 
How long does it take for half the amount of the radioactive isotope to decay?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. 
How is it produced?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. 
Write the radioactive decay equation that your radioactive isotope undergoes to result
in a stable, non-radioactive product.
4 C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Part III: A Little Nuclear Stability, Please
Draw your whole decay series on the chart below. Write the symbol for each element at
each intermediate step. Begin in the upper right corner of the chart.
Name of Decay Series:______________________________________________________
95
94
93
92
91
Atomic Number
90
89
88
87
86
85
84
83
82
81
200 202 204 206 208 210 212 214 216 218 220 222 224 226 228 230 232 234 236 238 240 242
Mass Number
5 C.12ABC: Nuclear Chemistry
Atomic Structure and Nuclear Chemistry
Reflection and Conclusions
1. 
How do the three types of radiation compare to each other? Which is the most harmful
to humans? __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. 
How is a nuclear equation representing radioactive decay different from a chemical
equation representing a chemical reaction?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
3. 
Most of the first 82 elements on the Periodic table have stable isotopes and have an
average atomic mass listed underneath the element’s symbol. How are elements with
no stable isotopes indicating on the periodic table? How do these elements achieve a
more stable form?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. 
Explain how you answered your Question of Inquiry.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
5. 
Using all of the following terms, develop a graphic organizer based on what you have
learned in this Explore. Use a separate sheet of paper, if needed. Terms: radioactivity, radioactive decay, nuclear equation, alpha radiation, beta
radiation, gamma radiation, helium nuclei, electron, photon, nuclear equation, alpha
particle, beta particle, gamma ray, neutral, decay series, transmutation..
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