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CHM012.1-Nuclear-Reactions Answer Key

This document discusses nuclear reactions and radioactive decay. It describes the three main types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It then explains how the atomic number and mass number change during different decay processes such as alpha emission, beta emission, gamma emission, positron emission, and electron capture. The document also discusses how unstable heavy nuclei above or below the band of stability can decay to become more stable. Finally, it asks questions about specific unstable isotopes and their most likely mode of decay.

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Prechiel Avanzado-Barredo
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50 views3 pages

CHM012.1-Nuclear-Reactions Answer Key

This document discusses nuclear reactions and radioactive decay. It describes the three main types of radiation emitted during radioactive decay as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. It then explains how the atomic number and mass number change during different decay processes such as alpha emission, beta emission, gamma emission, positron emission, and electron capture. The document also discusses how unstable heavy nuclei above or below the band of stability can decay to become more stable. Finally, it asks questions about specific unstable isotopes and their most likely mode of decay.

Uploaded by

Prechiel Avanzado-Barredo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nuclear Reactions- Radioactive Decay

1. What are the types of radiation emitted by the nuclei of radioactive elements?

alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays

2. What changes occur to the atomic number and mass of a nucleus during each of the following decay
scenarios?

a. an α particle is emitted The atomic number (Z) decreases by 2 units and the mass number (A)
decreases by 4 units.
b. a β particle is emitted The atomic number increases by 1 unit and the mass number remains
unchanged.
c. γ radiation is emitted The emission of gamma radiation does not cause any changes in the atomic
number (Z) or mass number (A) of the nucleus
d. a positron is emitted A decrease in the atomic number while maintaining the same mass number.
e. an electron is captured A decrease in the atomic number while maintaining the same mass number.
Gamma rays may also be emitted.

3. What is the change in the nucleus that results from the following decay scenarios?

a. emission of a β particle The key change in beta-minus decay is the conversion of a neutron into a
proton
b. emission of a β+ particle The key change in beta-plus decay is the conversion of a proton into a
neutron
c. capture of an electron The key change in electron capture is the conversion of a proton into a
neutron

4. Many nuclides with atomic numbers greater than 83 decay by processes such as electron emission. Explain the
observation that the emissions from these unstable nuclides also normally include α particles.

5. Why is electron capture accompanied by the emission of an X-ray?

Here, represents the original nucleus, and is the resulting nucleus after electron capture, with νe

representing the electron neutrino released in the process. The X-ray is emitted to conserve lepton number

during the proces.

6. Explain how unstable heavy nuclides (atomic number > 83) may decompose to form nuclides of greater
stability (a) if they are below the band of stability and (b) if they are above the band of stability

(a) In this case, the nucleus may undergo a process known as beta decay. In beta decay, a neutron is transformed
into a proton, and an electron (beta particle) and gamma rays are emitted. This increase the proton-to-neutron
ratio, moving the nucleus towards a more stable configuration. For example,

→91Pa + β −+ν eˉ
7. Which of the following nuclei is most likely to decay by positron emission?

a. chromium-53
b. manganese-51
c. iron-59

Answer and explain your choice. 3 pts. For positron emission to occur, a nucleus should have a relatively higher

number of protons. For positron emission to occur, a nucleus should have a relatively higher
number of protons. In this case, iron-59 (option c) with 26 protons is the most likely to
undergo positron emission.
__________________________________________________________________________________

8. The following nuclei do not lie in the band of stability. How would they be expected to decay? 2 pts. each

a. - β-decay

b. is a fissile isotope that undergoes nuclear fission rather than traditional radioactive decay. Fission is a process
where the nucleus of a heavy atom, in this case, uranium-235, splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a
significant amount of energy together with neutrons.

c. For Ca-37 β-decay (neutron emission could also be possible)

d. β-decay

e. _α-decay

9. Predict by what mode(s) of spontaneous radioactive decay each of the following unstable isotopes might

proceed: 2 pts. each


a. β-decay
b. β-decay
c. α-decay
d. β-decay
e. positron emission
f. β-decay
g. α-decay

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