NuclearDecaySE
Explore nuclear decay concepts through particle types, atomic structure, and isotope changes. Learn key terms and apply prior knowledge to answer questions on atomic number and mass.
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ExplorJ eaming
Name: Lore Urigrxfo Ecpa _________________________ Dale: 6th o* May. 2024
Student Exploration: Nuclear Decay
Vocabulary: alpha particle, atomic number, beta particle, daughter prouuct. gamma ray,
isotope, mass number, nuclear decay, positron, radioactive, subatomic particle
Prior Knowledge Questions {Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
The chart below gives the locations, charges, and approximate masses of three subatomic
particles. The approximate mass of each particle is given in universal mass units (u).
Particle Location Charge Approximate mass
Proton Nucleus 1* l u
Neutron Nucleus 0 1 u
Electron Orbitals 1- 0 u
1. The mass number of an atom is equal to the sum of protors ard neutrons in the nucleus.
A helium atom has 2 protons ana 2 neutrons. What is the mass number of this a t o m ? 4
2. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in each atom of the
element. All helium atoms have 2 protons. What is the atomic number of helium? 2
Gizmo Warm-up
While most atoms are stable, some are radioactive which
mears that they have a tendency to undergo spontaneous
nuclear decay. The decay of rao ioactive atoms generally
results in the emission of particles and/or energy.
Several types of nuclear decay car be explored with the
Wuc/ear Decay Gizmo™. On the Gizmo, check that Alpha
decay and Uranium are selected.
K s j r
** 1
J BKiroti
J
J 4MWHH
1. Click Play( - » and then click Pause/ >) when the alpha particle is clearly visible.
What is an alpha particle made of? ? - irrnns rrrr-s ___________________
2. Click Play ard observe. Besides the alpha particle, what else is emitted from the nucleus
during alpha decay? Ganrm lays.________________________________
Gamma rays are energetic electromagnetic waves; they are often emitted in nuclear decay.
Name: Lore Urigrxfo Ecpa _________________________ Dale: 6th o* May. 2024
Student Exploration: Nuclear Decay
Vocabulary: alpha particle, atomic number, beta particle, daughter prouuct. gamma ray,
isotope, mass number, nuclear decay, positron, radioactive, subatomic particle
Prior Knowledge Questions {Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
The chart below gives the locations, charges, and approximate masses of three subatomic
particles. The approximate mass of each particle is given in universal mass units (u).
Particle Location Charge Approximate mass
Proton Nucleus 1* l u
Neutron Nucleus 0 1 u
Electron Orbitals 1- 0 u
1. The mass number of an atom is equal to the sum of protors ard neutrons in the nucleus.
A helium atom has 2 protons ana 2 neutrons. What is the mass number of this a t o m ? 4
2. The atomic number of an element is equal to the number of protons in each atom of the
element. All helium atoms have 2 protons. What is the atomic number of helium? 2
Gizmo Warm-up
While most atoms are stable, some are radioactive which
mears that they have a tendency to undergo spontaneous
nuclear decay. The decay of rao ioactive atoms generally
results in the emission of particles and/or energy.
Several types of nuclear decay car be explored with the
Wuc/ear Decay Gizmo™. On the Gizmo, check that Alpha
decay and Uranium are selected.
K s j r
** 1
J BKiroti
J
J 4MWHH
1. Click Play( - » and then click Pause/ >) when the alpha particle is clearly visible.
What is an alpha particle made of? ? - irrnns rrrr-s ___________________
2. Click Play ard observe. Besides the alpha particle, what else is emitted from the nucleus
during alpha decay? Ganrm lays.________________________________
Gamma rays are energetic electromagnetic waves; they are often emitted in nuclear decay.
Get the Gizmo ready :
* Click Reset
» Check chat Alpha decay and Uranium are
selected.
Activity A:
Alpha decay
Question: How does alpha decay change the nucleus of a radioactive atom?
1. Prenict: As you observer in the warm-up activity, an alpha particle consists of two protons
and two neutrons How will the emission of ar alpha panicle affect the following?
A. The atomic number of the atom: goes down by 2-
B. The mass number of the atom: rxes down py /
2. Calculate: Turr on Write equation. What you see is an eouation that shows the original
uranium atom on the left. The boxes on the right represent the daughter product—the atom
produced by rauioactive decay— and the e mitten alpha particle.
A. In the top left box. write the mass number of the daughter product ano press 'Enter1
on your keyboard. What is this number?
B. In the bottom left box, write the atomic number of the Daughter proauct ard press
dEnter.” What is this number?
C. In the next set of boxes, enter the mass number and atomic number of the alpha
particle, which has the same composition as the nucleus of a helium (He) atom. After
filling in the boxes in the Gizmo, write the completed equation below:
New number
4
2 He
New atomic number
D. According to your equation, what isotope remains after the alpha decay of
urarium-238? (Note: You car look up element symbols on the periodic table.)
_____________________________________________________
3. Check: Turn or Show equation, ard click Play. The equation will appear at the end of the
animation. Was your prediction correct? If not. modify your equation above.
(Activity A continued on next page)
* Click Reset
» Check chat Alpha decay and Uranium are
selected.
Activity A:
Alpha decay
Question: How does alpha decay change the nucleus of a radioactive atom?
1. Prenict: As you observer in the warm-up activity, an alpha particle consists of two protons
and two neutrons How will the emission of ar alpha panicle affect the following?
A. The atomic number of the atom: goes down by 2-
B. The mass number of the atom: rxes down py /
2. Calculate: Turr on Write equation. What you see is an eouation that shows the original
uranium atom on the left. The boxes on the right represent the daughter product—the atom
produced by rauioactive decay— and the e mitten alpha particle.
A. In the top left box. write the mass number of the daughter product ano press 'Enter1
on your keyboard. What is this number?
B. In the bottom left box, write the atomic number of the Daughter proauct ard press
dEnter.” What is this number?
C. In the next set of boxes, enter the mass number and atomic number of the alpha
particle, which has the same composition as the nucleus of a helium (He) atom. After
filling in the boxes in the Gizmo, write the completed equation below:
New number
4
2 He
New atomic number
D. According to your equation, what isotope remains after the alpha decay of
urarium-238? (Note: You car look up element symbols on the periodic table.)
_____________________________________________________
3. Check: Turn or Show equation, ard click Play. The equation will appear at the end of the
animation. Was your prediction correct? If not. modify your equation above.
(Activity A continued on next page)
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