Nuclear Equations

You can write equations for nuclear reactions - just like you can for chemical reactions

What two values have to add to give the same total on both sides of a balanced nuclear equation? [2]
- The atomic (proton) and mass (nucleon) numbers
  - What type of radiation is emitted from this decaying Uranium nucleus shown above? [1]
    - Alpha-emission
  - What is the mass and atomic number of the emitted particle shown above? [2]
    - mass number = 4 nucleons (protons + neutrons)
    - atomic number = 2 protons
  - By how much does the mass and atomic numbers of the Uranium nucleus change after it decays into a Thorium nucleus? [2]
    - mass number: 238 --> 234 = - 4 nucleons (protons + neutrons)
    - atomic number: 92 --> 98 = - 2 protons
  - How did the Uranium nucleus change into a different element (Thorium)? [1]
    - the number of protons in the nucleus determines the name of the element. An element with 92 protons in its nucleus will always be called Uranium. An element with 90 protons in its nucleus is always be known as Thorium.
  - How could you represent this nuclear reaction as an equation? [1]
    - - What does the atomic number add up to on either side of this equation? [1]
        
        left: 92
        
        right: 90 + 2 = 92
      - What does the mass number add up to on either side of this equation? [1]
        
        left: 238
        
        right: 234 + 4 = 238
  - Sometimes more than one type of radiation is emitted. What types are shown above? [2]
    - Beta-emission
      - What is the atomic and mass number of Beta-radiation? [2]
        
        mass number = 0 nucleons (protons + neutrons)
        
        atomic number = -1 proton
    - Gamma-emission
      - What is the atomic and mass number of Gamma-radiation? [2]
        
        mass number = 0 nucleons (protons + neutrons)
        
        atomic number = 0 protons
  - From which part of the atom was the Beta-particle emitted and why is this unusual? [2]
    - the nucleus
    - A beta-particle is an electron. Electrons are usually whizzing around a nucleus and not found inside it.
  - How many protons and neutrons does the Thorium-234 nucleus have? [2]
    - atomic number = 90 protons
    - mass number = 234 nucleons (protons + neutrons). Therefore 234 nucleons - 90 protons = 144 neutrons
  - How many protons and neutrons are in the nucleus after beta-decay? [2]
    - atomic number = 91 protons
    - mass number = 234 nucleons (protons + neutrons). Therefore 234 nucleons - 91 protons = 143 neutrons
  - What has changed? [2]
    - 1 neutron disappeared (144 neutrons --> 143 neutrons)
    - 1 proton gained (90 protons --> 91 protons)
  - How can you explain this change? [1]
    - During Beta-decay, a neutron inside the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron (i.e. the Beta-particle)
  - Which of the following equations best represents this nuclear reaction? [1]
    - the middle equation
Classwork
- 1) Uranium-238 is an alpha emitter. Write a nuclear equation to show the emission of an alpha particle by uranium-238.
- 2) Complete and Balance the following nuclear equations:
- 3)
Homework
- 1) The equation shows an isotope of carbon undergoing radioactive decay. --> X +
  - What type of decay is this?
  - Give the nucleon number and atomic number of element X
    - nucleon number =
    - atomic number =

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Nuclear Equations

You can write equations for nuclear reactions - just like you can for chemical reactions

What two values have to add to give the same total on both sides of a balanced nuclear equation? [2]

Classwork

Homework