Download 24.5 Nuclear Equations - The Free Learning Channel

• The two most common modes of natural radioactivity are alpha decay and beta decay.
• Most nuclear reactions emit energy in the form of gamma rays.
Further Reading / Supplementary Links
Short animation showing the bending of α, β, and γ radiation under the influence of electrically charged
plates.
Review Questions
1. Write the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of radon−198.
2. Write the nuclear equation for the beta decay of uranium−237.
3. There are six known quarks: up, down, charmed, strange, top, and bottom. Protons and neutrons
are each made of only up and down quarks, and they are made of three quarks each. The up quark
carries a charge of + 23 , and the down quark carries a charge of − 31 . Determine by the final charge
on the proton and neutron what combination of three up and down quarks are required to make a
proton and what combination will make a neutron.
4. Only one particle is missing from this equation. What are its atomic and mass numbers?
4
1
14
N + He → H + ?
7
2
1
5. To what element does the missing particle in question #1 belong?
6. When a U-235 nucleus is struck by a neutron, the nucleus may be split into Ce-144 and Sr-90 nuclei,
also emitting four electrons and two neutrons. Write the equation for this nuclear reaction.
7. Complete the following nuclear equations by supplying the missing particles.
196
4
At → He + ?
85
2
208
4
Po → He + ?
84
2
210
4
Rn → He + ?
86
2
201
201
Hg + ? →
Au
80
79
?+ →
210
0
Po + e
84
-1
24.5 Nuclear Equations
Lesson Objectives
The student will:
• define and give examples of fission and fusion.
• classify nuclear reactions as fission or fusion.
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