Chemistry for Consumers : Module 1

Module 1
Topic(s) Chapters(Sections)
Science and Society, Risk Assessment, Nuclear Chemistry, Radiation, and Health 1, 6
Exam 1




Specific Text Pages:
Chapter 1, exntire chapter but concentrate on sections 1.1, 1.4, 1.6
Chapter 6, entire chapter but concentrate on sections 6.3 through 6.6



Module Objectives:

(You should ... )

1. Be able to calculate the number of neutrons, the number of protons, or the nucleon number given any two of these.

2. Be able to supply the missing nucleide in any nuclear reaction.

3. Know that beta particles are identical to high speed electrons.

4. Know that alpha particles are identical to helium nuclei.

5. Know the symbolism for alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

6.Be able to recognize nucleides that are isotopes (they have the same atomic number).

7.Recognize that gamma rays are not streams of particles; they are electromagnetic radiation similar to X rays.

8.Be able to give the mass (in amu) and charge (in electronic charge units) of protons, neutrons, electrons, alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

9.Be able to distinguish between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion and tell how each results in the release of energy.

10.Know that U-235 and Pu-239 are fissible.

11.Know that nuclear power plants produce about 1/5 of the energy in U. S.

12.Know that the sun is a nuclear fusion reactor.

13.Know that nuclear fusion uses the heavy isotopes of hydrogen ( H-2, called deuterium, and H-3, called tritium) as fuel.

14.Be able to calculate the age of an artifact, given the fractional decrease (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, etc.) in activity and the half-life of the isotope undergoing radioactive decay.

15.Know that our principal exposure to radiation is from natural sources (background radiation). The second greatest source is medical X rays.

16.Know that gamma rays are the most penetrating and alpha particles least penetrating radiations.

17.Know that once inside the body, alpha particles are the most damaging of the three types of radiation.

18.Be able to describe several uses of radioisotopes.

19.Be able to list several radioisotopes and describe their use in medicine.

20.Be able to describe how a PET scan works.


Sample questions for Exam 1

What is the charge of a neutron?
a. -1
b. +2
c. + 1
d. 0
e. +4

Radioactive elements with an atomic number greater than 84, usually exhibit ?- decay.
a. alpha
b. beta(-)
c. beta(+)
d. neutron

How many neutrons are in this isotope of tin-106 (Sn)?
a. 50
b. 56
c. 106
d. 156

A measure of how fast a nucleus decays is its ?
a. mode of decay
b. weight
c. half-life
d. energy of particles given off in the decay

The majority of the iodine in your body is found in your ? .
a.heart
b. brain
c. pancreas
d. liver
e. thyroid

Radon is a very smelly gas.
a. true
b. false

What type of radiation is simply a very energetic form of light?
a. alpha
b. beta
c. gamma
d. proton
e. electron

The largest source of man-made radiation for most people is ?
a. nuclear power plants
b. cosmic radiation
c. their watch
d. medical x-rays
e.radioactive fallout

When doing a risk-benefit analysis and determining DQ (desirability quotient), which situation is often the most difficult to evaluate from both an individual and societal perspective?
a. small benefit and high risk
b. large benefit and high risk
c. large benefit and low risk
d. all are equally difficult to evaluate

Some Web Sites to Explore for more information:   For all web information, please remember to be critical of the web page content - who is putting out this information and why? Those sites listed below will get you started - but do your own searches and see what you find. Share your discoveries WITH ME and your classmates. Let me know of any 'dead' links and/or sites.

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/visitors/index.html A entry site to the EPA's radiation web pages. Lot's of information here.

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/yucca/ A site concenring the Yucca Mountain facility in Nevada where the US plans to store its high radiation level nuclear waste.

http://www.shroud.com/ A web site dedicated to the Shroud of Turin. Read about the person maintaining this site.

http://www.food-irradiation.com/ This site contains several links to government agencies and professional organizations concerning their position on food irradiation. See what the ADA (American Dietetic Association) says about food irradiation.

http://www.terrorismanswers.com/weapons/dirtybomb.html This site gives some of the reasons for concern. What can you find out about the orgainzation that maintains this site? Check the 'sources' button at the bottom of the page - reliable?

Last Modified 8/23/06
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Send comments to estler_r@fortlewis.edu
Ron Estler
Department of Chemistry
Fort Lewis College
1000 Rim Drive
Durango, CO 81301-3999

estler_r@fortlewis.edu