Mich
Week 6 Lab: Nuclear Chemistry
Objectives:
• Identify the differences between chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.
• Identify the concept of radioactive decay.
• Identify the nuclear changes associated with alpha, beta or gamma decay.
• Write the products of nuclear reactions involving alpha, beta or gamma emissions.
• Explain the concept of half-lives and complete half-life calculations.
• Identify common subatomic particles and energies involved in nuclear reactions
• Recognize common modes of radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma, and electron
capture) by observing differences in nucleic mass defect and/or binding energies
• Describe common applications of radioactive isotopes (nuclear medicine,
radiometric/carbon dating, nuclear energy)
• Describe how carbon dating works
Radioactivity is something that only happens in nuclear power plants, right?
In this simulation, you will learn that radioactivity is much more common than you might
think—in fact, you are surrounded by it! You will also learn what types of atoms are radioactive
and why, and how alpha, beta, and gamma decay generate different types of radioactivity.
Understand the processes happening in the atomic nucleus
Use our holofloor to visualize how protons and neutrons interact in the nucleus. Experiment with
stability of isotopes and figure out why some combinations are more stable than others.
Analyze properties of alpha, beta, and gamma decay
Radioactive isotopes can undergo alpha, beta, and gamma decay. Each of these processes
generates radioactivity; luckily, we are in a virtual simulation and we can experiment with these
isotopes without being exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Additionally, you will be able to
see how protons and neutrons interact in the nucleus thanks to our advanced holofloor.
Not all atoms are stable. When atoms are born in a nuclear reactor, whether it be the heart of a
star or a power plant, a portion of them are radioactive and are referred to as radioisotopes.
These radioisotopes break down over time, releasing energy and transforming into more stable
forms in processes known as radioactive decay.
Part 1: Complete Labster lab: Nuclear Chemistry
1. Purpose: Describe in complete sentences and in your own words, the purpose of this
experiment.
The purpose of this lab is to identify common subatomic particles and energies involved
in nuclear reactions.
2. Observations: Record three observations from the simulation.
I. How carbon dating is utilized.
II. How half-life is utilized.
III. Identifying how the differences in nucleic mass defect or bind energies
This study source was downloaded by 884789 from cliffsnotes.com on 04-04-2025 16:09:40 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/24744293
, 3. Complete the table below
Radiation type Affect on atomic Affect on number Affect on mass
number of product of protons in number of product
product
Alpha particle -2 -2 -4
Beta particle +1 +1 +0
Gamma +0 +0 +0
particle
Positron -1 -1 +0
Electron -1 -1 +0
capture
4. In the space below, use X for the symbol of an element, Z for the atomic number and A
for the mass number to write a general nuclide symbol.
This study source was downloaded by 884789 from cliffsnotes.com on 04-04-2025 16:09:40 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/24744293
Week 6 Lab: Nuclear Chemistry
Objectives:
• Identify the differences between chemical reactions and nuclear reactions.
• Identify the concept of radioactive decay.
• Identify the nuclear changes associated with alpha, beta or gamma decay.
• Write the products of nuclear reactions involving alpha, beta or gamma emissions.
• Explain the concept of half-lives and complete half-life calculations.
• Identify common subatomic particles and energies involved in nuclear reactions
• Recognize common modes of radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma, and electron
capture) by observing differences in nucleic mass defect and/or binding energies
• Describe common applications of radioactive isotopes (nuclear medicine,
radiometric/carbon dating, nuclear energy)
• Describe how carbon dating works
Radioactivity is something that only happens in nuclear power plants, right?
In this simulation, you will learn that radioactivity is much more common than you might
think—in fact, you are surrounded by it! You will also learn what types of atoms are radioactive
and why, and how alpha, beta, and gamma decay generate different types of radioactivity.
Understand the processes happening in the atomic nucleus
Use our holofloor to visualize how protons and neutrons interact in the nucleus. Experiment with
stability of isotopes and figure out why some combinations are more stable than others.
Analyze properties of alpha, beta, and gamma decay
Radioactive isotopes can undergo alpha, beta, and gamma decay. Each of these processes
generates radioactivity; luckily, we are in a virtual simulation and we can experiment with these
isotopes without being exposed to harmful levels of radiation. Additionally, you will be able to
see how protons and neutrons interact in the nucleus thanks to our advanced holofloor.
Not all atoms are stable. When atoms are born in a nuclear reactor, whether it be the heart of a
star or a power plant, a portion of them are radioactive and are referred to as radioisotopes.
These radioisotopes break down over time, releasing energy and transforming into more stable
forms in processes known as radioactive decay.
Part 1: Complete Labster lab: Nuclear Chemistry
1. Purpose: Describe in complete sentences and in your own words, the purpose of this
experiment.
The purpose of this lab is to identify common subatomic particles and energies involved
in nuclear reactions.
2. Observations: Record three observations from the simulation.
I. How carbon dating is utilized.
II. How half-life is utilized.
III. Identifying how the differences in nucleic mass defect or bind energies
This study source was downloaded by 884789 from cliffsnotes.com on 04-04-2025 16:09:40 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/24744293
, 3. Complete the table below
Radiation type Affect on atomic Affect on number Affect on mass
number of product of protons in number of product
product
Alpha particle -2 -2 -4
Beta particle +1 +1 +0
Gamma +0 +0 +0
particle
Positron -1 -1 +0
Electron -1 -1 +0
capture
4. In the space below, use X for the symbol of an element, Z for the atomic number and A
for the mass number to write a general nuclide symbol.
This study source was downloaded by 884789 from cliffsnotes.com on 04-04-2025 16:09:40 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/24744293
