21.2 Nuclear Equations

Write a brief description or definition of each of the following:

(a) nucleon

(b) α particle

(c) β particle

(d) positron

(e) γ ray

(f) nuclide

(g) mass number

(h) atomic number

Complete each of the following equations by adding the missing species:

(a) $_{13}^{27} \text{Al} + _{2}^{4} \text{He} \rightarrow ? + _{0}^{1} \text{n}$

(b) $_{ 94}^{239} \text{Pu} + ? \rightarrow _{ 96}^{242} \text{Cm} + _{0}^{1} \text{n}$

(c) $_{ 7}^{14} \text{N} + _{2}^{4} \text{He} \rightarrow ? + _{1}^{1} \text{H}$

(d) $_{ 92}^{235} \text{U} \rightarrow ? + _{ 55}^{135} \text{Cs} + 4 _{0}^{1} \text{n}$

Write a balanced equation for each of the following nuclear reactions:

(a) the production of ¹⁷O from ¹⁴N by α particle bombardment

(b) the production of ¹⁴C from ¹⁴N by neutron bombardment

(c) the production of ²³³Th from ²³²Th by neutron bombardment

(d) the production of ²³⁹U from ²³⁸U by $_{1}^{2} \text{H}$ bombardment

The mass of the atom $_{9}^{19} \text{F}$ is 18.99840 amu.

(a) Calculate its binding energy per atom in millions of electron volts.

(b) Calculate its binding energy per nucleon.