Chemical Building Blocks

Front 1

Nuclear Reactions

Back 1

Reactions involving the particles in the nucleus of an atom.

Front 2

Protons

Back 2

Are in the nucleus of an atom and determines its identity.

Front 3

Chemical Change

Back 3

Only involves an atom's electrons

Front 4

Radioactive Decay

Back 4

The atomic nuclei of unstable isotopes release fast-moving particles and energy.

Front 5

Isotopes

Back 5

Atoms with the same number of protons and different number of neutrons.

Front 6

Discovery of Radioactivity

Back 6

In 1896, the French scientist Henri becquerel discovered the effects of radioactive decay quite by accident while studying a mineral containing uranium.

Front 7

Radioactivity

Back 7

Name that Marie Curie gave to a spontaneous emission of radiation by an unstable atomic nucleus

Front 8

How is a nuclear Reaction different from a chemical reaction?

Back 8

A chemical reaction will not convert one element into a different element while such a change happens only during nuclear reactions.

Front 9

Types of Radioactive Decay

Back 9

Natural radioactive decay can produce alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays.

Front 10

Alpha particle

Back 10

consists of two protons and two neutron and is positively charged.

Front 11

Beta particle

Back 11

a fast-moving electron given off by a nucleus during radioactive decay.

Front 12

Gamma Radiation

Back 12

Consists of high-energy waves, similar to X-rays. Also called gamma rays has no charge and does not cause a change in either the atomic number or atomic mass.

Front 13

What happens during Radioactive Decay?

Back 13

Radioactive elements give off particles and energy.

Front 14

Alpha Decay

Back 14

Produces a positively charged particle.

Front 15

Beta Decay

Back 15

Produces a negatively charged particle.

Front 16

Gamma Decay

Back 16

Produces a particle that has no gain or loss of particles.

Front 17

How does Alpha Radiation affect the body?

Back 17

Can cause an injury much like a bad burn.

Front 18

What can block alpha particles?

Back 18

A sheet of paper.

Front 19

How can Beta Radiation affect the body?

Back 19

Can travel into the human body and damage cells.

Front 20

What can block beta particle?

Back 20

Aluminum sheet

Front 21

How can gamma radiation affect the body?

Back 21

Can pass right through a human body, delivering intense energy to cells and causing severe damage.

Front 22

What can block most Gamma rays?

Back 22

A concrete block

Front 23

What are the uses of Radioactive Isotopes?

Back 23

Determining the ages of natural materials on Earth, tracing the steps of chemical reactions and industrial processes, diagnosing and treating disease, an providing sources of energy.

Front 24

What are the two properties of radioactive isotopes?

Back 24

They change into different kinds of matter and they give off detectable radiation.

Front 25

Radioactive Dating

Back 25

The process of determining the age of an object using the half-life of one or more radioactive isotopes.

Front 26

Half-life

Back 26

The length of time needed for half of the atoms of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay.

Front 27

Tracers

Back 27

Radioactive isotopes that can be followed through the steps of a chemical reaction or an industrial process.

Front 28

What are the uses of radioactive isotopes in Science?

Back 28

Scientists can follow tracers which are radioactive isotopes , using equipment that detects radiation. This technique is helpful for studying reactions in living organisms.

Front 29

What are the uses of radioactive isotopes in industry?

Back 29

Tracers (radioactive isotopes) are used to find weak spots in metal pipes, especially oil pipelines.

Front 30

What are the uses of radioactive isotopes in medicine?

Back 30

Doctors use them to detect medical problems and to treat some diseases. Tracers (radioactive isotopes) are injected into the body travel to organs and other structures where that chemical is normally used.

Front 31

What is the fuel source for nuclear power plants?

Back 31

Radioactive isotopes

Front 32

Safe use of Radioactive Materials

Back 32

People who work with these materials must wear protective clothing and use insulating shields. Wastes from these materials can't just be thrown away. These items must be disposed of properly.