aim 1.....what is radioactivity?

aim 2.....what is the concept of half-life?

aim 3.....what are natural and artificial transmutations?

aim 4.....what are fission and fusion nuclear reactions?

aim 5.....what are the risks and benefits associated with radioactivity?

honors

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cross-word puzzle

skills students should be able to do

• calculate the initial amount, the fraction remaining or the half-life of a radioactive isotope, given two of the three variables

• compare and contrast fission and fusion reactions

• complete nuclear equations; predict missing particles from nuclear equations

• determine decay mode and write nuclear equations showing alpha and beta decay

• identify specific uses of some common radioisotopes, such as: 1-131 in diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders; C-14 to C-12 ratio in dating living organisms; U-238 to Pb-206 ratio in dating geological formations; Co-60 in treating cancer

real-world connections

• radioactive dating

• nuclear fission and fusion reactions that release energy

• radioisotopes, tracers, transmutation man-made elements

• production of nuclear power: fission and fusion (breeder reactors)

• cost-benefit analysis among various types of power production

• nuclear waste

• radioactive pollution

• use of radioactive tracers

• radiation therapy

• irradiated food

fill-in the blanks

Words: alpha, beneficial, biological, decay, fission, high- energy, industrial, mass, natural, nuclear, nuclei, penetrating, radioactive, radioactivity, ratio, reactions, transmutation

Stability of isotopes is based on the _____ of neutrons and protons in its nucleus. Although most nuclei are stable, some are unstable and spontaneously ______, emitting radiation. Each __________ isotope has a specific mode and rate of decay (half-life). A change in the nucleus of an atom that converts it from one element to another is called ____________. This can occur naturally or can be induced by the bombardment of the nucleus by _____ - ________ particles. Spontaneous decay can involve the release of ______ particles, beta particles, positrons and/or gamma radiation from the nucleus of an unstable isotope. These emissions differ in mass, charge, and ionizing power, and ___________ power. Nuclear reactions include _________ and artificial transmutation, fission, and fusion. There are benefits and risks associated with ______ and fusion reactions. Nuclear reactions can be represented by equations that include symbols which represent atomic ______ (with the mass number and atomic number), subatomic particles (with mass number and charge), and/or emissions such as gamma radiation. Energy released in a nuclear reaction (fission or fusion) comes from the fractional amount of _____converted into energy. _________ changes convert matter into energy. Energy released during nuclear reactions is much greater than the energy released during chemical _________. There are inherent risks associated with ___________ and the use of radioactive isotopes. Risks can include __________ exposure, long-term storage and disposal, and nuclear accidents. Radioactive isotopes have many __________ uses. Radioactive isotopes are used in medicine and _________ chemistry, e.g., radioactive dating, tracing chemical and biological processes, industrial measurement, nuclear power, and detection and treatment of disease.

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