| Objectives |
- Recall that Becquerel accidentally discovered radioactivity manifested by properties
similar to x-rays
- Know that the element uranium was responsible for Becquerel's radioactivity
- Know that the nucleus of an atom consists of protons and neutrons which together are
known as nucleons
- Know what is meant by atomic number and mass number
- Be able to understand the A-Z notation used to describe an element (i.e. 4He2
or the other variations)
- Understand the meaning of the term isotope
- Be able to name and describe the isotopes of hydrogen
- Be able to identify and discuss the three types of radiation mentioned in your text, a, b and g
- Understand that alpha particles are helium atoms without the electrons, beta particles
are equal in mass to electrons and can be either positively or negatively charged
- Know that gamma radiation is a very high energy photon
- Know that nuclear decays can be described in terms of nuclear reactions that conserve
electrical charge and nucleon number
- Know what it means to say that one element transmutes into another
- Know how much the nucleon number changes for a, b+, b- and g decay
- Be able to compete nuclear decay reactions similar to those in the book
- Understand that each radioactive nucleus has a certain probability of decaying in the
next second - no matter how long it may have already "lived"
- Know what is meant by the term half-life, and be able to solve simple problems that
involve it
- Recall that carbon-14 is used to date previously living artifacts
- Know the penetration powers of a, b
and g radiation as well as the harm that each can do to living
tissue
- Be familiar with the naturally occuring and man made sources of radioactivity.
- Recall that natural radiation exceeds man made by a factor of 5 for most people (not for
Chernoble survivors or Fernald workers)
- Know that the Strong Nuclear Force is the glue that holds the nucleus together - it is
very strong, but short range
- Know what is meant by the term Binding Energy - don't worry about calculating binding
energies
- Be able to define nuclear fission and differentiate it from ordinary radioactive decay
- Know that neutrons, fission fragments and a lot of kinetic energy are released when a
nucleus undergoes fission
- Understand that fission conserves nucleon number
- Describe a 'chain reaction' - make sure you know the difference between
subcritical,critical and supercritical
- Have a general understanding of how a nuclear power plant generates electricity
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| Homework |
- Chapter 25 Questions: 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 18, 23, 25, 28, 33, 46, 51,
55
- Chapter 25 Exercises: 1, 9, 12
- Chapter 26 Questions: 1, 2, 11, 37, 44, 45
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