Nuclear Chemistry

Front

What does the term 'half-life' mean in nuclear chemistry?

Back

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time required for half of the isotope in a sample to decay.

Front

What is the half-life of phosphorus-32 (32P)?

Back

The half-life of phosphorus-32 (32P) is 14 days.

Front

What type of nuclear reaction is fission?

Back

Fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, often producing free neutrons and photons.

Front

What is the charge of a beta particle?

Back

A beta particle has a charge of -1.

Front

What do isotopes of an element have in common?

Back

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

What is the symbol for gamma radiation?

Back

The symbol for gamma radiation is 'γ'.

Front

What is the difference between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation?

Back

Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, beta radiation consists of electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons.

Front

What is a common application of nuclear chemistry in medicine?

Back

A common application of nuclear chemistry in medicine is the use of radioactive isotopes in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment.

Front

What is the principle behind radioactive decay?

Back

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation.

Front

How does the stability of an isotope relate to its half-life?

Back

Generally, isotopes with longer half-lives are more stable than those with shorter half-lives.