NUCLEAR AND RADIATION CHEMISTRY

Question one: Radioactivity

a. Define the following terms and give examples where possible.
i. Nuclide viii. Radioactivity
ix. Decay rate
ii. Radiation
x. Half-life
iii. Relative atomic mass
xi. Isotopes
iv. Radionuclide
xii. Nuclear Stability
v. Ionizing radiation
vi. Nuclear binding energy
vii. Non Ionizing radiation

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b. Define the term Nuclear Stability and using a curve, explain how the
neutron to proton ratio affects stability of a nuclide.
c. List the differences between nuclear and chemical reactions
d. With the help of a diagram explain the properties of alpha, beta and
gamma particles
e. Suppose you have 10grams Radium-226 whose half-life is 1.5x10^-4
years. How much of it would be left after;
i. 3.0 x 10^-4 years
ii. 1.5 x 10^-4 years
iii. 1.5 x 10^-3 years
f. Complete the following equations and identify X in each case
i. 26
12 Mg + 11P 4
2 α +X X
ii. 235
92 U + 10n 94
36 Kr +13956Ba +3X
iii. 20
8 O 20
9 F+X
iv. 32
16 S + 10n 1
1 P+X
Using equations explain the following types of radioactivity

i. Alpha radiation
ii. Positron emission
iii. Beta radiation
iv. Electron capture
v. Gamma radiation
g. The half-life of Tritium is 12.0years. If 48.0mg of Tritium is released
from a nuclear power plant, what mass of this nuclide will remain after
48 years?
h. For a certain material, the average count rate is found to be 82 counts
per second. After a time of 210 seconds, the counts had dropped to 19
counts per second. The average background count rate remained
constant at 10 counts per second. What is the half-life of the material?
i. The half-life of Tritium is 12years.
i. What fraction of the element will be remaining after 48 years
ii. What fraction would have decayed after 72 years

Question two: Detecting and measuring Radioactivity

a. Explain the working principle of the following instruments used in
detecting and measuring radioactivity.
i. The Ion Chamber
ii. Geiger-Muller Counter
iii. Solid state detectors
iv. Scintillation counters
b. Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion
Question three: Analysis and applications
State and briefly explain the various applications of nuclear chemistry in
dating, medicine, research, industrial and agriculture.
a. Briefly discuss radiotracer techniques and list the advantages of
isotope dilution analysis over other methods of analysis
b. List three principles that are used in the management of radioactive
waste