SME
Grade 10 Science
Nuclear chemistry: radioactive decay, half-life, fission and fusion
The main lesson, then each kind of problem it solves.
Nuclear chemistry: radioactive decay, half-life, fission and fusion
Main lesson
Alpha decay
Use this for “Uranium-238 gives off an alpha particle. What nucleus is left?”
Beta decay
Use this for “Carbon-14 gives off a beta particle. What nucleus is left?”
Fission of uranium-235
Use this for “U-235 takes in a neutron and splits into Ba-141, a second nucleus and 3 neutrons. What is the second nucleus?”
The mass defect: where the energy comes from
Use this for “U-238 gives off an alpha particle. How much mass is lost, and how much energy is released?”
Alpha, beta, fission or fusion?
Use this for “Which equation shows fission?” and “Why is fusion a cleaner source of energy than fission?”