Chapter 20

Question 1

Particles and types of radiation that unstable nucleus can produce

Answer 1

alpha particles, beta particles, positrons, or gamma rays.

Question 2

Radioactivity

Answer 2

Spontaneous emission of particles or radiation from unstable nuclei

Question 3

Nuclear transmutation

Answer 3

is the conversation of one nucleus to another

Question 4

Stable nuclei…

Answer 4

With low atomic numbers have a neutron to proton ratios close to 1.

Question 5

Heavier stable nuclei

Answer 5

have higher ratios

Question 6

Nuclear binding energy

Answer 6

is the energy required to break up a nucleus into its component protons and neutrons

Question 7

Nuclear fission

Answer 7

is the splitting of a large nucleus into two smaller nuclei and one or more neutrons

Question 8

Nuclear fusion

Answer 8

is a type of reaction that occurs in the sun. It is the combination of two light nuclei to form one heavier nucleus

Question 9

Critical mass

Answer 9

The minimum amount of fissionable material required to sustain a reaction.

Question 10

Nuclear chain reaction

Answer 10

A self-sustaining reaction sequence of fission reactions

Question 11

Example of Isotopes used in medicine

Answer 11

iodine-123 is used to image the brain.

Question 12

Why is high energy radiation harmful on biological systems?

Answer 12

It can create superoxide ions and other free radicals that attack organic compounds. It can also cause cancer and death.