Unit 5 Review: Nuclear Chemistry

Front

What is a beta particle?

Back

A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron emitted during radioactive decay of an atomic nucleus.

Front

What is half-life?

Back

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

Front

How do you calculate the remaining amount of a radioactive substance after a certain number of half-lives?

Back

Remaining amount = Initial amount × (1/2)^(number of half-lives).

Front

What is the half-life of strontium-90?

Back

The half-life of strontium-90 is 25 years.

Front

What is the significance of uranium-238 in geology?

Back

Uranium-238 is used to determine the age of geological formations through radioactive dating.

Front

What happens to the half-life of a radioactive isotope as it decays?

Back

The half-life remains the same regardless of the amount of substance present.

Front

What is a radioactive isotope?

Back

A radioactive isotope is an isotope of an element that is unstable and emits radiation as it decays.

Front

What is nuclear fission?

Back

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.

Front

What is nuclear fusion?

Back

Nuclear fusion is the process of combining two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus, releasing energy.

Front

How many half-lives does it take for 10 g of uranium-232 to decay to 1.25 g?

Back

It takes 3 half-lives.