Unit 9 Nuclear Chemistry
Key Terms
radiation positron decay curve
radioactive decay gamma ray nuclear imaging
radioisotope nuclear equations PET scan
alpha particle ionizing radiation external radiation therapy
beta particle half-life internal radiation therapy
Problem Checklist
5.1. Describe the four types of radiation (alpha particles, beta particles, positrons and gamma rays) and
write their full symbols
5.2. Write balanced nuclear equations for each type of radioactive decay (alpha decay, beta decay, positron
emission, gamma emission)
5.3. Describe the penetrating power & methods required for proper shielding for each type of radiation
5.4. Solve problems involving radioisotope half-lives
5.5. Discuss the use of some radioisotopes used in medicine
Textbook Problems
Textbook Section Relevant Practice Problems
p.148 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 5.11
5.1 Natural Radioactivity
p.171 5.57, 5.79
p.156 5.13, 5.15, 5.17, 5.19
5.2 Nuclear Reactions
p.171 5.59, 5.61, 5.65cd (skip ab)
p.162 5.29, 5.31, 5.33
5.4 Half-Life of a Radioisotope
p.171 5.67, 5.75, 5.77
5.5 Medical Applications Using Radioactivity p.165 5.35
Answers Ch 5 – p.172
, Notes - Unit 9 Nuclear Chemistry
Contents
Unit 9 Nuclear Chemistry .............................................................................................................................................. 1
Key Terms .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Problem Checklist ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Textbook Problems .................................................................................................................................................... 1
5.1 Natural Radioactivity ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Radioactivity .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Radioisotope ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Types of Radiation ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Biological Effects of Radiation ................................................................................................................................... 4
Radiation protection ................................................................................................................................................. 4
5.2 Nuclear Reactions................................................................................................................................................... 5
Balancing Nuclear Equations ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Alpha Decay............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Beta Decay................................................................................................................................................................. 7
positron emission ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Gamma Radiation...................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Half-Life of a Radioisotope ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Half-Life Calculations ................................................................................................................................................. 9
5.5 Medical Applications Using Radioactivity .............................................................................................................. 9
Using radioactive isotopes for Imaging: .................................................................................................................... 9
Using radioactive isotopes for treatment ............................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Natural Radioactivity
Radioactivity
• Certain Isotopes of Carbon, Hydrogen, and elements with atomic number 20 or greater are
unstable.
• These unstable isotopes emit radiation to become more stable.
Radioisotope
• isotope of an element that emits radiation.
• can be one or more isotopes of an element.
• includes the mass number in its name.
Key Terms
radiation positron decay curve
radioactive decay gamma ray nuclear imaging
radioisotope nuclear equations PET scan
alpha particle ionizing radiation external radiation therapy
beta particle half-life internal radiation therapy
Problem Checklist
5.1. Describe the four types of radiation (alpha particles, beta particles, positrons and gamma rays) and
write their full symbols
5.2. Write balanced nuclear equations for each type of radioactive decay (alpha decay, beta decay, positron
emission, gamma emission)
5.3. Describe the penetrating power & methods required for proper shielding for each type of radiation
5.4. Solve problems involving radioisotope half-lives
5.5. Discuss the use of some radioisotopes used in medicine
Textbook Problems
Textbook Section Relevant Practice Problems
p.148 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 5.11
5.1 Natural Radioactivity
p.171 5.57, 5.79
p.156 5.13, 5.15, 5.17, 5.19
5.2 Nuclear Reactions
p.171 5.59, 5.61, 5.65cd (skip ab)
p.162 5.29, 5.31, 5.33
5.4 Half-Life of a Radioisotope
p.171 5.67, 5.75, 5.77
5.5 Medical Applications Using Radioactivity p.165 5.35
Answers Ch 5 – p.172
, Notes - Unit 9 Nuclear Chemistry
Contents
Unit 9 Nuclear Chemistry .............................................................................................................................................. 1
Key Terms .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Problem Checklist ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Textbook Problems .................................................................................................................................................... 1
5.1 Natural Radioactivity ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Radioactivity .............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Radioisotope ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Types of Radiation ..................................................................................................................................................... 3
Biological Effects of Radiation ................................................................................................................................... 4
Radiation protection ................................................................................................................................................. 4
5.2 Nuclear Reactions................................................................................................................................................... 5
Balancing Nuclear Equations ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Alpha Decay............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Beta Decay................................................................................................................................................................. 7
positron emission ...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Gamma Radiation...................................................................................................................................................... 7
5.4 Half-Life of a Radioisotope ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Half-Life Calculations ................................................................................................................................................. 9
5.5 Medical Applications Using Radioactivity .............................................................................................................. 9
Using radioactive isotopes for Imaging: .................................................................................................................... 9
Using radioactive isotopes for treatment ............................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Natural Radioactivity
Radioactivity
• Certain Isotopes of Carbon, Hydrogen, and elements with atomic number 20 or greater are
unstable.
• These unstable isotopes emit radiation to become more stable.
Radioisotope
• isotope of an element that emits radiation.
• can be one or more isotopes of an element.
• includes the mass number in its name.
