Nuclear Changes: Grade 9 Science
Explore the fundamentals of nuclear changes, including radioactivity, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion, with this comprehensive Grade 9 science worksheet.
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Nuclear Changes
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Date:
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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Show all your work for calculations.
1. Which type of nuclear decay involves the emission of a helium nucleus?
Beta decay
Alpha decay
Gamma decay
Positron emission
2. What is the process called when a heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei?
Nuclear fusion
Nuclear fission
Radioactivity
Chain reaction
3. The strong nuclear force holds and together in the nucleus of an atom.
4. The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay is called its .
5. Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun.
True
False
6. Gamma radiation consists of high-energy electromagnetic waves.
True
False
7. Briefly explain the difference between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. Refer to the image of the nucleus above.
8. What are some practical applications of nuclear changes in everyday life or technology?
Match the term on the left with its definition on the right.
9. Isotope
a. The process of spontaneous emission of radiation.
10. Radioactivity
b. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
11. Half-life
c. The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.