Review Sheet: Nuclear ReactionsName ______
Period _____ Date ______
Use each of the terms below just once to complete the following sentences.
alpha particle
beta particle
gamma ray
radioactivity
1)The spontaneous emission of radiation by a nucleus is known as ______.
2)A(n) ______is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation commonly released during radioactive decay.
3)A(n) ______is a high-energy electron released from a nucleus during radioactive decay.
4)A(n) ______consists of a helium nucleus.
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alpha
aluminum foil
beta
concrete
gamma
helium
high energy electrons
lead
mass
negative
protons
radioactive
Isotopes with unstable nuclei are (5)______. The radiation they emit may be alpha, (6)______, or gamma. (7)______radiation consists of alpha particles (positively charged (8)______nuclei) that are easily stopped by a sheet of paper. Because an alpha particle consists of two (9)______and two neutrons, but no electrons, it has a +2 charge. Beta radiation is composed of fast-moving particles, which are (10)______and usually carry a (11)______charge. Beta radiation is more penetrating than alpha radiation; it is stopped by (12)______. (13)______radiation is electromagnetic radiation similar to visible light, but much more energetic. Gamma radiation has no (14)______or charge. It is extremely penetrating. (15)______and (16)______reduce the intensity of gamma radiation but do not completely stop it.
True/False
17)Gamma radiation has a negative charge.
18)When a beta particle is emitted, the atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number stays the same.
19)When a radioactive nucleus emits an alpha particle, its atomic number decreases by 4, and its mass number decreases by 2.
20)When a gamma ray is emitted, the atomic mass and atomic number both increase.
Answer the following questions
21)What is the correct nuclear notation for the isotope oxygen-15?
22)What is the most difficult type of radiation to block out?
23)What does the subscript on the nuclear symbol for the alpha particle, He, mean?
24)After an isotope decays by the loss of a beta particle, it has one more proton. Where did the extra proton come from?
25)What is the nuclear symbol for an alpha () particle?
26)What is the nuclear symbol for a beta () particle?
Complete each of the following nuclear equations.
27) C + _____
28) Ra + ______
29) Th + ______
30) Fr He + ______
31) Why is nuclear fusion regarded as a better source of energy for future human needs than is nuclear fission?
______
______
______
Fill in the blank.
energy
energy
heat
helium
hydrogen
neutron
neutrons
nuclear accidents
nuclear fission
nuclear fusion
radioactive waste
smaller nuclei
(32)______is the process by which a single large nucleus breaks apart into two smaller nuclei.
Three different products formed in any nuclear fission reaction are (33)______, (34)______, and (35)______. If a neutron begins a nuclear chain reaction, then one product of that reaction must be a(n) (36)______.
Two major concerns people have about nuclear reactions are the possibility of (37)______and the issue of how to dispose of (38)______.
(39)______is the reaction that occurs when two small nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus. The sun's (40)______is produced when (41)______nuclei fuse to make (42)______nuclei.
Although fusion is cleaner, safer, and more efficient than fission for producing energy, it is not currently used to produce energy because of the large amount of (43)______required to start the reaction.