Ch 21: Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 21: Nuclear Chemistry
About This Chapter
How It Works:
- Identify the lessons in the Holt McDougal Nuclear Chemistry chapter with which you need help.
- Find the corresponding video lessons within this companion course chapter.
- Watch fun videos that cover the nuclear chemistry topics you need to learn or review.
- Complete the quizzes to test your understanding.
- If you need additional help, rewatch the videos until you've mastered the material or submit a question for one of our instructors.
Students will learn:
- Mass-energy conversion and nuclear binding energy
- Examples of nuclear reactions
- The nuclear shell model
- Types of radioactive decay
- Calculating radioactive decay
- Radiometric dating
- Causes and effects of radiation
- Nuclear power plants and their dangers
- Applications of nuclear chemistry
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1. Mass-Energy Conversion, Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy
During a nuclear reaction, small amounts of mass are destroyed and converted into massive amounts of energy in a process called mass defect. Learn about nuclear binding energy, mass defect, and how energy and mass are directly related.
2. Nuclear Reaction: Definition & Examples
A nuclear reaction, such as fission and fusion, affects the nucleus of an atom and changes its particles in the process. Explore the differences between nuclear reactions and chemical reactions, the differences between nuclear fission and fusion, and how they are used for energy.
3. Types of Radioactive Decay and Their Effect on the Nucleus
Radiation is a byproduct of nuclear energy, but only 1% of all radiation comes from the nuclear industry. Most radiation comes from natural sources, such as rocks or the Sun. Learn about the sources of radiation, the three main types of radioactive decay (alpha, beta, & gamma), and the effect of nuclear decay on the nucleus.
4. Half-life: Calculating Radioactive Decay and Interpreting Decay Graphs
Scientists use the amount of time it takes for half of an isotope to react or decay, or half-life, of carbon-14 in carbon dating experiments to determine the age of substances. Learn about half-life, decay graphs, and how to calculate radioactive decay.
5. Principles of Radiometric Dating
Radiometric dating is a process used to determine the age of the Earth's rocks and other geological materials, such as carbon. Learn about the principles of radiometric dating and understand its processes by studying radioactive decay, parent and daughter nuclides, and types of decay.
6. Risks of Nuclear Power Plants and Radioactive Waste: Safety and Health Concerns
Despite being considered climate-friendly, nuclear power plants come with a number of risks. Learn how nuclear power works, the definition of a meltdown, and the health and safety concerns surrounding radioactive waste.
7. Fusion, Fission, Carbon Dating, Tracers & Imaging: Applications of Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear chemistry is the science of using radioactive isotopes and other nuclear reactions to diagnose and treat medical conditions and also to determine the age of artifacts through a process called carbon dating. Learn about nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, tracers, imaging, and practical applications of nuclear chemistry.
8. Nuclear Chemistry: Nuclear Shell Model
Learn about the nuclear shell model and how it describes nuclear stability. Examine how different nucleon configurations create stable elements with examples.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry: Online Textbook Help course
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 1: Matter and Change
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 2: Measurements and Calculations
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 3: Atoms: The Building Blocks of Matter
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 4: Arrangement of Electrons in Atoms
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 5: The Periodic Law
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 6: Chemical Bonding
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 7: Chemical Formulas and Chemical Compounds
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 8: Chemical Equations and Reactions
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 9: Stoichiometry
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 10: States of Matter
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 11: Gases
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 12: Solutions
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 13: Ions in Aqueous Solutions and Colligative Properties
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 14: Acids and Bases
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 15: Acid-Base Titration and pH
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 16: Reaction Energy
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 17: Reaction Kinetics
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 18: Chemical Equilibrium
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 19: Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 20: Introduction to Electrochemistry
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 22: Organic Chemistry
- Holt McDougal Modern Chemistry Chapter 23: Biological Chemistry