Nuclear Chemistry--Review of Isotopes
Nuclear Chemistry Notes
9.
Where are most of the radioactive elements found on the periodic table?
10. How does a nuclear reaction differ from a chemical reaction? (Hint: Which subatomic particles are involved in a nuclear
reaction? in a chemical reaction?)
11. Distinguish between alpha and beta radiation on the basis of the following:
a. mass:
b. charge:
13. Complete the equations for the decay processes below by supplying the missing atomic numbers and mass numbers.
210
a.
Pb  83 Bi + -1e
230
b.
Th  88 Ra
+
2He
14. Complete the following nuclear equations:
214
4
a.

+ __________
83Bi
2He
239
239
b.
+
___________
93Np 
94Pu
15. Alpha radiation is emitted during the disintegration of the following isotopes. Write balanced nuclear equations for their decay
processes.
238
4
a. Uranium – 238 92U 
+
________
2He
218
4
b. Polonium – 218
Po

+
___________
84
2He
16. The following radioisotopes are beta emitters (
14
a. Carbon – 14

6C
90
0
b. Strontium – 90 38Sr 
-1e
0
-1e). Write
0
-1e +
+
balanced nuclear equations for their decay processes.
___________
___________
17. How are the mass number and atomic number of a nucleus affected by the loss of the following?
Particle
Mass Number Change
Atomic Number Change
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
18. Write nuclear equations for these conversions.
131
131
a.
I
to
Xe
b.
185
c.
13
Au
C
to
181
to
14
Ir
C
19. Scientists often use heavy ion bombardment to produce new elements. Write the product of the following nuclear equations.
6
63
a.
Li
+
Ni

_________
252
10
b.
Cf
+
B

___________