A Getting-It-On Review and Self-Test
The Nucleus and Nuclear Energy
The mass of an atom is primarily located in the (1)
. The
principal particles in the (2)
are the (3)
and (4)
. However many other (particles found in the nucleus) (5)
are
believed to exist. The Z number is the number of (6)
and the
(7)
is the sum of protons and (8)
.
Some naturally occurring nuclides are unstable and undergo (9)
decay. This generally involves the successive emission of (10)
or (11)
, finally resulting in producing a (12)
nuclide. If an alpha particle is emitted the mass number (13)
by (14)
and the Z number (15)
by (16)
. If a
beta particle is emitted the mass number (17)
and the
Z (18)
by (19)
.
The particle emission in nuclear changes is very energetic and is called
(20)
. The most penetrating radiation is the
(21)
and the least penetrating radiation is the (22)
. Several units of radiation are: (23)
, (24)
,
(25)
, and (26)
. The curie measures (27)
whereas the other units attempt to account for the (28)
ability of the radiation.
Elemental synthesis refers to formation of new (29)
by the
bombardment of heavy elements with (30)
particles. These
particles are produced in (31)
; some examples are
the (32)
and (33)
.
Analyzing the relative nuclear stabilities suggests nuclides heavier than
iron would tend to undergo (34)
reactions whereas nuclides
lighter than iron should undergo (35)
reactions. Only a few
nuclides such as (36)
and (37)
are known to undergo
fission to form nuclides of approximately equal (38)
. This reaction is found to be self-sustaining because more than one
(39)
is produced with each fissure. Many of the nuclides
produced in a fission reaction are (40)
and potentially
dangerous to the environment. Controlled use of fission reactions is used
to convert (41)
to (42)
energy.
43.
Complete and balance these nuclear transformations:
a.
226
88
b.
247
97
c.
3
1
d.
28
15
Ra  _____  42 He
Bk  _____ 
253
101
Md  4 01 n
H  21H  _____  01n
P
28
14
Si  _____
2
44.
Draw a diagram of a nuclear reactor indicating the reaction vessel,
reactor core, moderator, control rods, fuel rods, and coolant flow.
45.
Predict the stability of these nuclides. If they are unstable, indicate
their mode of decay.
Nuclide
17
7
N
13
8
O
56
Stability
Possible Mode of Decay
Fe
251
98
Cf
ANSWERS
1. nucleus
2. nucleus
3. proton
4. neutron
5. nucleons
6. protons
7. mass number
8. neutrons
9. nuclear
10. alpha
11. beta particles
12. stable
13. decreases
14. Four
15. decreases
16. Two
17. remains constant
18. increases
19. One
20. ionizing radiation
21. gamma ray
22. alpha particle
23. curie
24. rad
3
25. roentgen
26. rem
27. disintegrations
28. penetrating
29. nuclides
30. high energy
31. particle accelerators
32.linear accelerators
33. cyclotron
34. fission
35. Fusion
36. U-235
37. Pu-239
38. mass numbers
39. neutron
40. radioactive
41. nuclear
42. electrical
43.
44.
a.
226
88
b.
247
97
c.
3
1
d.
28
15
Ra 
222
86
Rn  42 He
Bk  104 Be 
253
101
Md  4 01n
H  21H  42 He  01n
P
28
14
Si 
0
1
e
4
45.
Nuclide
Stability
17
7
N
unstable
13
8
O
unstable
Fe
stable
56
251
98
Cf
unstable
Possible Mode of Decay
1
0
0
1
n or
0
1
e
e or k-capture
4
2
He or
0
1
e