Radioactive Decay

Yesterday we learned about three types of radioactive decay: alpha, beta, and gamma particles. Alpha decay emits helium nuclei, beta decay emits electrons, and gamma decay releases energy in the form of photons. One thing to note is that gamma decay always accompanies alpha and beta decay.

Alpha	Beta	Gamma
α	β	y
Helium nucleus	Electron	Energy
-4 to mass number and -2 to atomic number	No change in mass number but +1 to atomic number	No change in mass

https://www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry/nuclear-chemistry/radioactive-decay/v/alpha-beta-and-gamma-decay

http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/lindabennett1/502/Nuclear%20Chemistry/types%20of%20decay.html

Beanium Lab

In the beanium lab, we started with a sample of beanium atoms and counted the amount of each beanium isotope which were white, black, red, and pinto beans. Me and my partner then determined the average mass and abundances of each isotope. With that, we worked out the average atomic mass of the beanium element.

Total mass of the white beanium isotope

Grouped white beanium isotopes

example calculation for average atomic mass
www.wikihow.com

Helpful web resources:

https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistry-textbook/mass-relationships-and-chemical-equations-3/atomic-mass-40/average-atomic-mass-218-3703/

http://www.dallassd.com/our%20schools/high%20School/Chemsite/chem/isotopes/aam.html

Dalton's Atomic Theory

Dalton's atomic theory proposed that:

• All elements are composed of atoms
• All atoms of an element are identical
• Different elements have different atoms
• Compounds are formed by atoms
• Atoms are indivisible

Some components of this theory have since been refuted by today's technology. The fact that atoms of the same element can differ in neutrons and result in isotopes falsifies Dalton's assumption that all atoms of an element are identical. Additionally, we know that atoms are divisible in nuclear reactions. Despite that, most of Dalton's atomic theory still remains valid today and serves as a foundation for modern atomic theory.

Helpful web resources:

http://www.iun.edu/~cpanhd/C101webnotes/composition/dalton.html

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Atomic_Theory/Atomic_Theory

John Dalton
www.biography.com

Atomic Structure and Radioactivity Pre-Test

After taking the atomic structure and radioactivity unit pre-test, I can say that this will be pretty hard. I guessed on many questions, but I knew how to do some. I will have to work on material like radioactive decay and chemical formulas for this unit. Since this unit will be over in two weeks, I should get started.

Nomenclature Thoughts

In our Nomenclature unit, we learned about identifying chemical compounds from  binary ionic compounds to compounds with polyatomic ions. We learned about common polyatomic ion names and their formulas. After the unit, I am confident in my ability to name binary ionic compounds but I could work on naming compounds with polyatomics. We also learned about naming acids with and without polyatomic ions.

www.ltcconline.net

Nomenclature Reflection

After our Nomenclature unit, I feel that the material I learned will be significant because we will probably use nomenclature in other units. Some parts of this unit were challenging so I should try and improve on naming compounds. I am sure that I will also need to review nomenclature as it will probably reappear again later.