Copyright © Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Solving Problems: A Chemistry Handbook
Chemistry: Matter and Change
253
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
A CHEMISTRY HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 24
Nuclear fusion The combining of atomic nuclei is called
nuclear fusion. For example, nuclear fusion occurs within the Sun,
where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium atoms. Fusion reactions
can release very large amounts of energy but require extremely high
temperatures. For this reason, they are also called thermonuclear
reactions.
Practice Problems
9. The Sun is powered by the fusion of hydrogen atoms into
helium atoms. When the Sun has exhausted its hydrogen supply, it could fuse helium-4, forming carbon-12. Write a
balanced nuclear equation for this process.
10. Write a fusion reaction that could theoretically produce one
atom of 275
113 Uut.
24.5 Applications and Effects of Nuclear Reactions
Geiger counters, scintillation counters, and film badges are devices
used to detect and measure radiation. Geiger counters use ionizing
radiation, which produces an electric current in the counter, to rate
the strength of the radiation on a scale. Ionizing radiation is radiation that is energetic enough to ionize matter upon collision.
With proper safety procedures, radiation can be useful in industry, in scientific experiments, and in medical procedures. A
radiotracer is a radioisotope that emits non-ionizing radiation and
is used to signal the presence of an element or of a specific substance. Radiotracers are used to detect diseases and to analyze
complex chemical reactions.
Any exposure to radiation can damage living cells. Gamma rays
are very dangerous because they penetrate tissues and produce
unstable and reactive molecules, which can then disrupt the normal
functioning of cells. The amount of radiation the body absorbs (a
dose) is measured in units called rads and rems. Everyone is
exposed to radiation, on average 100–300 millirems per year. A dose
exceeding 500 rem can be fatal.
▲
Solving Problems: A Chemistry Handbook
Chemistry: Matter and Change
253
SOLVING PROBLEMS:
A CHEMISTRY HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 24
Nuclear fusion The combining of atomic nuclei is called
nuclear fusion. For example, nuclear fusion occurs within the Sun,
where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium atoms. Fusion reactions
can release very large amounts of energy but require extremely high
temperatures. For this reason, they are also called thermonuclear
reactions.
Practice Problems
9. The Sun is powered by the fusion of hydrogen atoms into
helium atoms. When the Sun has exhausted its hydrogen supply, it could fuse helium-4, forming carbon-12. Write a
balanced nuclear equation for this process.
10. Write a fusion reaction that could theoretically produce one
atom of 275
113 Uut.
24.5 Applications and Effects of Nuclear Reactions
Geiger counters, scintillation counters, and film badges are devices
used to detect and measure radiation. Geiger counters use ionizing
radiation, which produces an electric current in the counter, to rate
the strength of the radiation on a scale. Ionizing radiation is radiation that is energetic enough to ionize matter upon collision.
With proper safety procedures, radiation can be useful in industry, in scientific experiments, and in medical procedures. A
radiotracer is a radioisotope that emits non-ionizing radiation and
is used to signal the presence of an element or of a specific substance. Radiotracers are used to detect diseases and to analyze
complex chemical reactions.
Any exposure to radiation can damage living cells. Gamma rays
are very dangerous because they penetrate tissues and produce
unstable and reactive molecules, which can then disrupt the normal
functioning of cells. The amount of radiation the body absorbs (a
dose) is measured in units called rads and rems. Everyone is
exposed to radiation, on average 100–300 millirems per year. A dose
exceeding 500 rem can be fatal.
▲