Nuclear Reaction Questions

1. In 1909, what did Ernest Rutherford aim to discover?

2. Describe the equipment set-up he used to carry out his experiment.

3. Describe how Rutherford performed the experiment.

4. Why did Rutherford use alpha particles?

Nuclear Reaction Questions

5. As a result of his experiment, what 3 things did he observe?

6. What 3 conclusions did Rutherford make as a result of his findings?

7. Describe Rutherford’s model of the atom?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

8. Label the following symbols and explain what each of them mean:

XA

Z

Nuclear Reactions Questions

9. Describe how you would find the number of neutrons that an element contains?

10. Explain what an isotope is?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

11. Complete the following tables:

A

Z

Number of protons

Number of neutrons

A

Z

Number of protons

Number of neutrons

U23592 U

23892

Nuclear Reactions Questions

12. Explain the term radioactive decay?

13. What one thing is always produced as a result of radioactive decay?

14. What are the 3 types of radioactive decay that can occur?

15. What is an alpha particles equivalent to?

16. What is the equation rule for alpha decay?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

17. What is a beta particle equivalent to?

18. Explain the process of beta decay?

19. What is the equation rule for beta decay?

20. Explain the process of gamma decay?

21. Explain the process of nuclear fission?

22. What are the 2 types of nuclear fission that exist?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

23. What is always released as a result of nuclear fission?

24. How can nuclear fission be induced?

25. In nuclear fission, how does the kinetic energy before fission takes place compared with the kinetic energy after fission takes place?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

26. Explain the process of nuclear fusion?

27. What is always released as a result of nuclear fusion?

28. What is the equation which is used to calculate the amount of energy released during fission and fusion?

Nuclear Reactions Questions

29. Calculate the energy released by the following reaction:

U235

92 +Cs138

55+ n1

02n

1

0 +Rb 96

37Element Atomic Mass (kg)

23592U 3.9014 x 10-25

13855Cs 2.2895 x 10-25

9637Rb 1.5925 x 10-25

10n 1.6750 x 10-27

Nuclear Reactions Questions

30. Solve the following equation:

31. Solve the following equation:

Rn222

86+Y

A

ZHe

4

2

Th234

90Y

A

Z+

0

-1

Nuclear Reactions Questions

32. Identify the following nuclear reaction:

33. Identify the following nuclear reaction:

Tl210

81Pb

210

82+

0

-1

U235

92 +Ba141

56+ n1

03n

1

0 +Kr 92

36

Nuclear Reactions Questions

34. Identify the following nuclear reaction:

35. Identify the following nuclear reaction:

H 2

1 +He 4

2+ n1

0H

3

1 +Energy

Ra226

88Rn

222

86+ He

4

2