Question

1. compare and contrast nuclear reactions and chemical reactions:

comparison category	nuclear reactions	chemical reactions
subatomic particles affected
relative amount of energy released

1. nuclear fission is the (splitting/combining) of unstable atoms. a fusion reaction is (splits/combines) atoms.
2. compare and contrast alpha, beta and gamma radiation:

attribute	alpha radiation	beta radiation	gamma radiation
mass
charge

Explanation:

Question 58

Step 1: Fundamental Forces Responsible

Nuclear reactions involve the strong nuclear force (for holding the nucleus together, and in reactions like fission/fusion) and the weak nuclear force (in beta decay). Chemical reactions are due to electromagnetic forces (involving electron interactions, like bonding).
So for Nuclear reactions: Strong (and weak for some) nuclear force; Chemical reactions: Electromagnetic force.

Step 2: Subatomic particles affected

In nuclear reactions, the nucleus (protons, neutrons) is affected (e.g., in fission, the nucleus splits; in fusion, nuclei combine). In chemical reactions, electrons are involved (in bonding, transfer, sharing), protons/neutrons in the nucleus remain unchanged.
So Nuclear reactions: Nucleons (protons, neutrons); Chemical reactions: Electrons.

Step 3: Relative amount of energy released

Nuclear reactions release a very large amount of energy (from mass-energy conversion, \( E = mc^2 \)). Chemical reactions release much less energy (from bond breaking/forming, no mass conversion).
So Nuclear reactions: Very large; Chemical reactions: Relatively small.

Nuclear fission is the process where a heavy, unstable atomic nucleus splits into smaller nuclei (along with the release of energy and neutrons). So it's the "splitting" of unstable atoms. Nuclear fusion is the process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus (releasing energy, like in the sun). So a fusion reaction is "combines" atoms.

Step 1: Symbols

Alpha radiation is a helium nucleus, symbol \( \alpha \) or \( \ce{_2^4He} \). Beta radiation is a high - speed electron (beta - minus) or positron (beta - plus), symbol \( \beta^- \) (or \( \ce{_{-1}^0e} \)) for beta - minus, \( \beta^+ \) (or \( \ce{_{+1}^0e} \)) for beta - plus. Gamma radiation is a high - energy photon, symbol \( \gamma \).

Step 2: Mass

Alpha particle has a mass of approximately 4 atomic mass units (since it has 2 protons and 2 neutrons, mass \( \approx 4\ u \)). Beta particle (electron) has a very small mass, approximately \( \frac{1}{1836}\ u \) (negligible compared to alpha). Gamma radiation is a photon, which has no rest mass.

Step 3: Charge

Alpha particle has a charge of \( + 2e \) (since it has 2 protons). Beta - minus particle has a charge of \( -e \), beta - plus has a charge of \( + e \). Gamma radiation is neutral (no charge).

Answer:

Comparison Category	Nuclear reactions	Chemical reactions
Subatomic particles affected	Nucleons (protons, neutrons)	Electrons
Relative amount of energy released	Very large (from mass - energy conversion)	Relatively small (from bond energy changes)

Question 59