Balancing Nuclear Reactions Worksheet
Grade 10 Science worksheet on balancing nuclear reactions, covering alpha decay, beta decay, and nuclear fission/fusion.
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Balancing Nuclear Reactions
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Ensure all nuclear equations are balanced in terms of mass number and atomic number.
1. What particle is emitted during alpha decay?
Electron
Helium nucleus
Neutron
Proton
2. In beta-minus decay, a neutron is converted into a proton and an electron. What is the symbol for a beta particle?
⁴₂He
⁰₋₁e
¹₀n
¹₁p
3. In a balanced nuclear reaction, the total mass number and the total number must be conserved.
4. Nuclear fusion involves the joining of two light nuclei to form a nucleus.
5. Complete and balance the following alpha decay reaction:
²³⁸₉₂U → ⁴₂He +
6. Complete and balance the following beta-minus decay reaction:
¹³¹₅₃I → ⁰₋₁e +
7. Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei.
True
False
8. Gamma radiation consists of charged particles.
True
False
9. The image below shows a cross-section of an atomic nucleus. In a nuclear reaction, what two quantities must be conserved based on the particles represented in this diagram?
