Balancing Nuclear Reactions Worksheet
Grade 12 Science worksheet focused on balancing nuclear equations, identifying types of decay, and understanding nuclear stability.
Includes
Standards
Balancing Nuclear Reactions
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Read each question carefully and provide your answers in the space provided. Ensure all nuclear equations are balanced correctly.
1. In a balanced nuclear equation, both the mass number and the number must be conserved.
2. Alpha decay results in the emission of a nucleus, which consists of two protons and two neutrons.
3. Beta decay involves the conversion of a neutron into a proton and an electron (beta particle), increasing the number by one.
4. Gamma radiation is a form of radiation and does not change the mass or atomic number of the nucleus.
5. Which of the following particles is represented by the symbol ⁰₋₁e?
Alpha particle
Beta particle
Neutron
Positron
6. What type of nuclear reaction is shown below? ²³⁸₉₂U → ²³⁴₉₀Th + ⁴₂He
Alpha decay
Beta decay
Gamma decay
Nuclear fusion
7. Balance the following nuclear equation and identify the missing particle:
²¹⁰₈₄Po → ²⁰⁶₈₂Pb + ?
8. Write the balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of Carbon-14 (¹⁴₆C).
9. Explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
10. All isotopes are radioactive.
True
False
11. Nuclear reactions release significantly less energy than chemical reactions.
True
False