(α or ${}_2^4 \text{He}$ or ${}_2^4 \text{α})$ high-energy helium nucleus; a helium atom that has lost two electrons and contains two protons and two neutrons

particles with the same mass but opposite properties (such as charge) of ordinary particles

$\text{(β}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{e}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{β} \text{)}$ high-energy electron

(γ or ${}_0^0 \text{γ} \text{)}$ short wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic radiation that exhibits wave-particle duality

change to a nucleus resulting in changes in the atomic number, mass number, or energy state

positron $\text{(} {}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{β}$ or ${}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{e} \text{)}$

antiparticle to the electron; it has identical properties to an electron, except for having the opposite (positive) charge

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Chemistry 2e · 21.2 Nuclear Equations

Nuclear Equations: practice problems

4 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 11
Write a brief description or definition of each of the following:
(a) nucleon
(b) α particle
(c) β particle
(d) positron
(e) γ ray
(f) nuclide
(g) mass number
(h) atomic number
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Exercises 13
Complete each of the following equations by adding the missing species:
(a) $_{13}^{27} Al +_{2}^{4} He ⟶ ? +_{0}^{1} n$
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Exercises 15
Write a balanced equation for each of the following nuclear reactions:
(a) the production of ¹⁷O from ¹⁴N by α particle bombardment
(b) the production of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴N by neutron bombardment
(c) the production of ²³³Th from ²³²Th by neutron bombardment
(d) the production of ²³⁹U from ²³⁸U by $_{1}^{2} H$ bombardment
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Exercises 17
The mass of the atom $_{9}^{19} F$ is 18.99840 amu.
(a) Calculate its binding energy per atom in millions of electron volts.
(b) Calculate its binding energy per nucleon.
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Key terms · 6

alpha particle: (α or ${}_2^4 \text{He}$ or ${}_2^4 \text{α})$ high-energy helium nucleus; a helium atom that has lost two electrons and contains two protons and two neutrons
antimatter: particles with the same mass but opposite properties (such as charge) of ordinary particles
beta particle: $\text{(β}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{e}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{β} \text{)}$ high-energy electron
gamma ray: (γ or ${}_0^0 \text{γ} \text{)}$ short wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic radiation that exhibits wave-particle duality
nuclear reaction: change to a nucleus resulting in changes in the atomic number, mass number, or energy state
positron $\text{(} {}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{β}$ or ${}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{e} \text{)}$: antiparticle to the electron; it has identical properties to an electron, except for having the opposite (positive) charge

Learn 21.2 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 21.2 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org

Nuclear Equations: practice problems

4 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 11

Write a brief description or definition of each of the following:

(a) nucleon

(b) α particle

(d) positron

(e) γ ray

(f) nuclide

(g) mass number

(h) atomic number

Exercises 13

Complete each of the following equations by adding the missing species:

(a) $_{13}^{27} Al +_{2}^{4} He ⟶ ? +_{0}^{1} n$

Exercises 15

Write a balanced equation for each of the following nuclear reactions:

(a) the production of ¹⁷O from ¹⁴N by α particle bombardment

(b) the production of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴N by neutron bombardment

(d) the production of ²³⁹U from ²³⁸U by $_{1}^{2} H$ bombardment

Exercises 17

The mass of the atom $_{9}^{19} F$ is 18.99840 amu.

(a) Calculate its binding energy per atom in millions of electron volts.

(b) Calculate its binding energy per nucleon.

Key terms · 6

alpha particle: (α or ${}_2^4 \text{He}$ or ${}_2^4 \text{α})$ high-energy helium nucleus; a helium atom that has lost two electrons and contains two protons and two neutrons
antimatter: particles with the same mass but opposite properties (such as charge) of ordinary particles
beta particle: $\text{(β}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{e}$ or ${}_{-1}^{\ 0} \text{β} \text{)}$ high-energy electron
gamma ray: (γ or ${}_0^0 \text{γ} \text{)}$ short wavelength, high-energy electromagnetic radiation that exhibits wave-particle duality
nuclear reaction: change to a nucleus resulting in changes in the atomic number, mass number, or energy state
positron $\text{(} {}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{β}$ or ${}_{+1}^{\ 0} \text{e} \text{)}$: antiparticle to the electron; it has identical properties to an electron, except for having the opposite (positive) charge

Learn 21.2 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 21.2 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org