Exam 23: Nuclear Chemistry

In the uranium-238 decay series there are eight radioisotopes starting with U that decay by alpha emission, and six radioisotopes that decay by beta emission. The final product of this series is a stable isotope. The symbol for this product is

In the following reaction, identify X.

Decay of lutetium-167 by electron capture yields

Naturally occurring uranium contains approximately 1% U-235 and 99% U-238.Of these, the isotope that undergoes fission in a nuclear reactor is U-238.

Rubidium-87 decays by beta decay with a half-life of 4.9 $\times$ 10¹⁰ yr. How many ⁸⁷Rb atoms are in a moon rock sample that has a rubidium decay rate of 3,500 disintegrations per hour?

Predict which nucleus is less stable, or .

Cobalt-60 is a beta emitter with a half-life of 5.3 years. Approximately what fraction of the cobalt-60 atoms in a particular sample will remain after 32 years?

Balance the equation n + Zr ? + H .

The isotope with the greatest nuclear binding energy per nucleon is

Describe the role of a moderator in a fission reactor, and give examples of two substances that are used as moderators.

Complete and balance the nuclear equation

A typical radius of an atomic nucleus is about

Complete and balance the nuclear equation

Which is the most penetrating of the three types of nuclear radiation?

Which type of radiation is the least penetrating?

The energy released by the sun is the result of

If 12% of a certain radioisotope decays in 5.2 years, what is the half-life of this isotope?

Balance the equation

Alpha particles are identical to

Find the nuclear binding enrgy of potassium-40 (atomic mass = 39.9632591 amu)in units of joules per nucleon.[Data: neutron mass = 1.674928 $\times$ 10^-24 g; proton mass = 1.672623 $\times$ 10^-24g; electron mass = 9.109387 $\times$ 10^-28 g; N_A = 6.0221367 $\times$ 10²³ /mol; c = 2.99792458 $\times$ 10⁸ m/s]