AP Chemistry - Nuclear Worksheet #3
1.  The bombardment of fluorine-19 by alpha particles generates sodium-22 and neutrons. Write the nuclear equation for this transmutation, including the intermediate compound nucleus.
 
2. Neutron bombardment of cadmium-115 results in neutron capture and the release of gamma radiation. Write the nuclear equation. 
 
3. If an atom of beryllium-7 decays by the capture of a K-electron, into which isotope does it change? Write the equation.
 
4. What are some "rules of thumb" that can be used to judge if a particular radionuclide might have a long enough half-life to warrant the effort to make it?
 
5. Contrast the source and magnitude of energies liberated in chemical reactions and nuclear transformations.
 
6. Identify the particle resulting from these natural decay processes. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 
 
7. Explain why a neutrino is required in beta-particle emission.
 
8. Write an equation for the nuclear transmission of one of the naturally occurring isotopes of Hg into Au. 
 
9. Write balanced nuclear equations for each of the following artificial nuclear transmutations. Indicate the compound formed as the intermediate. The brackets indicate the particle that causes the transmutation and the ejected particle.
a) Li6 (n, alpha)                     b) B10 (n, alpha) 

c) O17 (p, alpha)                   d) N14 (n, p) 

e) O18 (n, gamma)                 f) H3 (d, n) 

g) H2 (p, T)                          h)  Li7 (p, n) 

i) Na23 (n, 2n)                       j) U235 (n, fission) 
 
10. Complete and balance the following equations: 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 
 
11. A radioactive element A with mass number 180 and atomic number 80, emits an alpha particle and changes to element B. Element B emits a beta particle and is converted to element C. Write nuclear equations for these three changes using mass number and atomic numbers of the particle A, B and C. Which of the particles A, B, or C, are isotopes of the same element