8/10/2019 HW 3D - Radio Active Isotopes

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HW 3D - Radio Active Isotopes

1. How does an unstable nucleus release energy?

2. What are the three main types of nuclear

radiation?

_______________________________________

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3. What part of the atom changes during radioactive

decay?

4. How is the atomic numberand atomic mass

numberof a nucleus changed by:

a. alpha decay

b. beta decay

c. gamma decay

5. Which of the three kinds of radiation discussed in

class is the most penetrating?

Hour _____ Name _________________________

Transmutation Reactions

The conversion of an atom of one element to an

atom of another element is called transmutation.

There are at least two ways that transmutation

occurs, by radioactive decayand whenparticles

bombard the nucleus of an atom.

6. Complete these nuclear equations by writing the

symbols of the missing particles resulting from

nuclear decay.

94

242Pu "

2

4He + _______

What type of decay is represented above? Alpha | Beta

12

28Mg "

-1

0e + _______

What type of decay is represented above? Alpha | Beta

_______ " 2

4He +

100

257Fm

What type of decay is represented above? Alpha | Beta

_______ " -1

0e +

83

211Bi

What type of decay is represented above? Alpha | Beta

7. Cesium-137,55

137Csis one of the radioactive

wastes from a nuclear power plant or an atomic

bomb explosion. It emits beta and gamma

radiation. Write the nuclear equation for the

decay of cesium-137.

8/10/2019 HW 3D - Radio Active Isotopes

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