Worksheet #9: Nuclear Chemistry featuring questions on alpha particles, beta particles, electron capture, gamma rays, decay series, radioactivity, and balancing nuclear equations.

1.
a. An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, consisting of two protons and two neutrons, emitted during certain types of radioactive decay.
b. A beta particle is a high-energy electron (or positron) emitted from the nucleus during beta decay.
c. Electron capture is a process where an inner orbital electron is captured by the nucleus, converting a proton into a neutron and emitting a neutrino.
d. A gamma ray is high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by an unstable atomic nucleus during radioactive decay.
e. A decay series is a sequence of radioactive decays that begins with an unstable parent nuclide and ends with a stable daughter nuclide.
f. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of particles or energy from an unstable atomic nucleus.

2.
a. Alpha
b. Beta
c. Neutron
d. Positron
e. Gamma

3.
⁹⁹₄₃Tc → ⁰₋₁e + ⁹⁹₄₄Ru

4.
²⁴₁₂Mg + ¹₀n → ¹₀n + ¹₀n + ⁵⁶₂₅Mn + ⁴₂He

5.
a. A sheet of paper or clothing is sufficient to shield against alpha particles.
b. A few millimeters of aluminum or plastic are required to shield against beta particles.
c. Several centimeters of lead or meters of concrete are needed to shield against gamma rays.