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Chemistry Stoody Guide

Nuclear Processes

  1. Describe the properties of different types of radioactive decay. Write nuclear equations for radioactive decay, fusion, and fission processes.

X-rays (or something)

X-ray

  • Discovered while doing experiments with cathode rays on fluorescence in vacuum tubes.
  • X-rays are high-energy photons that are produced when electrons are accelerated and collide with a metal target.
  • Had properties of luminescence & penetrating radiation.
  • Discovered by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895, who immediatly takes a photo of his wife’s hand via X-ray to flex on people (he flexes the wedding ring as well).

Decay

Alpha Decay: Emission of 4/2 He from a nucleus.

Example:

Beta Decay: Emission of an electron from the nucleus

Example:

Given an element:

  • El = Element
  • A = Mass Number (protons + neutrons)
  • B = Atomic Number (protons)
  • C = Charge (protons - electrons)