18 Nuclear Chem

Chapter 18: Nuclear Chemistry

Chapter Goals

Students will learn:

    • how the nucleus is held together

    • how to predict nuclear stability

    • how to perform nuclear decay equations

    • how to perform nuclear decay series diagrams

    • how to plot radioactive decay rates and determine an objects age

Objectives

Section 1: Atomic Nuclei and Nuclear Stability

    1. Describe how the strong force attracts nucleons.

    2. Relate binding energy and mass defect.

    3. Construct a nuclear decay series diagram.

    4. Predict the stability of a nucleus by considering factors such as nuclear size, binding energy, and the ratio of neutrons to protons in the nucleus.

Section 2: Nuclear Change

    1. Predict the particles and electromagnetic waves produced by different types of radioactive decay, and write equations for nuclear decays.

    2. Identify examples of nuclear fission, and describe potential benefits and hazards of its use.

    3. Describe nuclear fusion and its potential as an energy source.

Section 3: Uses of Nuclear Chemisty

    1. Define the half-life of a radioactive nuclide, and explain how it can be used to determine an object's age.

    2. Describe some of the uses of nuclear chemistry.

    3. Compare acute and chronic exposures to radiation.

Labs

    1. Determining the Density of Aluminum in Aluminum Foil.

    2. Determining the Thickness of a Single Sheet of Aluminum Foil.

Math Skills

  1. Balancing a Nuclear Equation (Problems A)

  2. Nuclear Decay Series Problems

    1. Determining the Age of an Artifact (Problems B)

    2. Determining the Original Mass of a Sample (Problems C)