Nuclear Chemistry – CHEM 152

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This is a 10 point assignment.

OBJECTIVES: After having completed this unit, students should be able to:

Define and apply the definition for radioactive decay.
Classify the types of radioactive decay processes and describe the characteristic of each.
Write the nuclear symbol for protons, neutrons, electrons, alpha particles,
beta particles and positrons.
Write balanced nuclear equations for radioactive decay processes or nuclear transmutations.
Complete and balance nuclear reactions given all but one of the particles involved.
Describe the role that the neutron-to-proton ratio, magic numbers, and odd-even number (protons & neutrons) play in accounting for the stability of a nucleus.
Predict whether a nuclide is likely to be stable or unstable (radioactive). If unstable, predict the most likely mode of decay to achieve stability. (For example, explain why tritium, ³H, is unstable.)
Calculate the half-life of a radioactive nuclide given the rate constant or vice-versa.
Given any two of the following variables involved in the rate of radioactive decay, calculate the third. Variables: 1) Amount of sample, 2) Activity, 3) Decay constant, 4) Half-life, 5) Time.
State the basic assumptions made when using radiometric dating to determine the age of objects.
Calculate and predict the potential age of an object based on levels of concentration or C-14 within that sample or based on the given isotope ratio.
Describe how radioactivity of radioactive substances is detected using a badge dosimeter, Geiger counter, and scintillation counter, radiotracers.
Calculate the energy or mass change in a nuclear reaction, given one of these quantities.
Calculate the mass defect, total nuclear binding energy, and binding energy per nucleon for a nuclide given its nuclear or atomic mass and the masses for protons, electrons and neutrons.
Distinguish between fission and fusion and state what type of nuclei will undergo these processes.
Based on the plot of binding energy/nucleon versus mass number, predict whether isotopes would react via fusion or fission reactions.
Identify and balance nuclear equations for fission and fusion reactions.
Briefly describe the general design of a nuclear reactor.
State the purpose of the fuel rods, control rods, moderator and cooling fluid in nuclear reactors.
Identify the advantages of a fusion reactor over a fission reactor and explain the problems with using nuclear reactors as energy sources.

Reading and Homework Exercises

Table of Contents from: OpenStax Chemistry 2e: Chapter 21

Introduction

2.3 Atomic Structure and Symbolism

Review Section 2.3 through the subsection titled “Isotopes”, stopping when you get to the “Atomic Mass” subsection. Answer the following review questions.

Answer Questions 1-3 for the following nuclear symbol: ${}_{94}^{239}Pu$

Question 1:

Question 2:

Question 3:

21.1 Nuclear Structure and Stability

Questions 4-7 allow you to check your conceptual understanding of neutron to proton ratio and how it affects stability of a nuclide (and the relative likelihood of it being radioactive). They also check your understanding of mass defect and binding energy calculations.

Question 4:

Question 5:

Question 6:

Question 7:

21.2 Nuclear Equations

Questions 8-12 allow you to check your conceptual understanding of nuclear symbols and equations

Consider the nuclear equation : ${}_{89}^{230}Ac\to {}_{-1}^{0}e+\_\_\_$

Question 8:

Consider the nuclear equation: ${}_{80}^{201}Hg+\_\_\to {}_{79}^{201}Au+{}_{0}^{0}\gamma$

Question 9:

Consider the nuclear equation: ${}_{95}^{243}Am+\_\_\_\to {}_{115}^{288}Mc+3{}_{0}^{1}n$

Question 10:

Consider the nuclear equation: ${}_{13}^{27}Al+{}_{0}^{1}n\to {}_{11}^{24}Na+\_\_\_$

Question 11:

Question 12:

21.3 Radioactive Decay

Questions 13-20 check your conceptual understanding of various radioactive decay process. They also check your understanding of radioactive decay calculations (and your ability to apply the first order integrated rate law equations you learned in chemical kinetics to radioactive decay).

Question 13:

Question 14:

Question 15:

Question 16:

Question 17:

Question 18:

Question 19:

Question 20:

Question 21 checks your ability to do carbon dating calculations

Question 21:

21.4 Transmutation and Nuclear Energy

Questions 22-25 look conceptually at fission and fusion and the energies involved in nuclear reactions

Question 22:

Question 23:

Consider the following nuclear reaction:

${}_{23}^{51}V+{}_{0}^{1}n\to {}_{24}^{52}Cr+{}_{-1}^{0}e$

atomic mass (amu) of V-51 = 50.9440;

atomic mass (amu) of Cr-52 = 51.9405

mass (amu) : n = 1.0087

Mass (amu): e = 0.0006

Answer the following questions:

Question 24:

Question 25: