Midterm Review

What is the difference between Alpha, Beta, and Gamma radiation?

Alpha radiation is radiation that is deflected toward the negatively charged plate. Made up of alpha particles, each particle has two protons and neutrons as well as a 2+ charge.

Beta radiation is radation that is deflected toward the positively charged plate. Made up of beta particles, each partical is an electron with a 1- charge. Beta radiation is deflected toward the positively charged plate because since it is negatively charged, and opposites attract the beta particles are attraced to the positive plate.

Gamma radiation, also known as gamma rays are high energy radiation that has no mass and no electrical charge. Usually gamma rays accompany alpha and beta radiation and they account for most of the energy lost during the radioactive decay process.

A difference between Alpha radiation compared to Beta and Gamma is that Alpha radiation is deflected toward negatively charged plates. However Gamma is not deflected toward any plate, and Beta is deflected toward positively charged plates. Another difference is that alpha, beta, and gamma radiation possess different amounts of electrical charge, are affected differently by an electric field and their particles are composed of different substances. They have a great difference in wavelengths as well.

What is the difference between fission and fusion?

The combining of atomic nuclei is called nuclear fusion.

The splitting of a nucleus into fragments is known as nuclear fission.

Fission requires large Critical Mass and a slow neutron to initiate the process, however, Fusion occurs when two nuclei come very close together. Fission is pulling particles apart while Fusion is combining particles.



Describe nuclear energy and its pratical application as an alternative energy source and its potential problems.

Nuclear energy is formed from the release of atoms either by either fission or fusion. In nuclear fusion, energy is released as atoms form together to make a larger atom. In nuclear fission, atoms release energy as they split apart to form smaller atoms.  Nuclear power plants are able of producing electricity for a wide area due to nuclear energy becoming an alternative energy source. The main problem its by-product wastes can potentially harm the environment. Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste. This include tools, protective clothing, wiping cloths and disposable items that may have been contaminated with radioactive dust or particles. Which can cause a great amount of death upon people who encounter it.

Why Chemistry is the Most Important Science?

Chemistry is the most important science simply because anything and everything revolves around it. Chemistry is the study of chemicals, elements, and their reactions with other chemicals or other elements. Chemistry can be used in almost every field of study or work, such as: Pharmacy, jewlery making, architecture, medicine, and of course, SCIENCE! Chemistry is explains to the world why things form the way they do, how they form, and what makes them form the way the did. It provides the tools to do almost anything imaginable, whether it is creating a nuclear bomb, forming new medicines, or even launching a rocketship! Chemistry is EVERYWHERE !