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Week 1 Day 2 Module Physical Science

1. The document discusses nuclear reactions and the formation of light elements during the Big Bang. 2. It defines common types of nuclear reactions like alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation. 3. During the first three minutes after the Big Bang, protons and neutrons fused to form light atomic nuclei such as deuterium, helium-3, helium-4, lithium-7, and beryllium-7.

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Eunice Acuna
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393 views

Week 1 Day 2 Module Physical Science

1. The document discusses nuclear reactions and the formation of light elements during the Big Bang. 2. It defines common types of nuclear reactions like alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma radiation. 3. During the first three minutes after the Big Bang, protons and neutrons fused to form light atomic nuclei such as deuterium, helium-3, helium-4, lithium-7, and beryllium-7.

Uploaded by

Eunice Acuna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nuestra Señora De Guia Academy

MODULE IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE


Grade 12
The Formation of Light Elements
Week 1 / Day 2

OVERVIEW
Before delving to the details of element formation, it is essential to familiarize the symbols of
the different particles involve in nuclear reactions.
OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Be familiarized with the symbols of different particles involve in nuclear reactions; and
2. Explain the formation of the light elements in the big bang theory.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
Alpha particle - high speed particle consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons
Beta particle - high-speed electron
Gamma Ray - high-energy stream of photons
Positron - positive-charged electrons
Electron - negative charge particle
Neutron- no charge
Nuclear Reaction- Nuclear reactions are processes in which a nucleus either combines with
another nucleus (through nuclear fusion) or splits into smaller nuclei (through nuclear fission).
Proton - positive charge
DISCUSSION
Introduction to Nuclear Reactions
Common Types of Nuclear Reaction

1. Alpha Decay - Loss of an alpha particle 42𝛼


or 42𝐻𝑒
Example: Alpha decay of Polonium-210
210 𝟐𝟎𝟔 4
𝟖𝟒𝑃𝑜 → 𝟖𝟐𝑷𝒃 + 2𝛼

0
2. Beta Decay - Loss of a beta particle −1𝛽

Example: Beta decay of Carbon-14

14 𝟏𝟒 0
𝟔𝐶 → 𝟕𝑵 + −1𝛽

3. Gamma Radiation - Emission of a gamma ray 00𝛾


Example: Gamma radiation in alpha decay of uranium-238
238 𝟐𝟑𝟒 4
𝟗𝟐𝑈 → 𝟗𝟎𝑻𝒉 + 2𝛼 (alpha decay)
234 𝟐𝟑𝟒 0
𝟗𝟎𝑇ℎ → 𝟗𝟎𝑻𝒉 + 0𝛾 (gamma radiation)
4. Positron Emission - Conversion of a proton in a nucleus into a neutron, along with the
0
release of a positron +1𝑒

Example: Positron emission of oxygen-15


15 𝟏𝟓 0
𝟖𝑂 → 𝟕𝑵 + +1𝑒

5. Electron Capture- Drawing of an electron ( −10𝑒 ) into an atom’s nucleus.


Example: Electron capture of mercury-201
201 𝟐𝟎𝟏
𝟖𝟎𝐻𝑔 + −10𝑒 → 𝟕𝟗𝑨𝒖

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6. Bombardment of Alpha Particle – addition of alpha particle 42𝛼
Example: Bombardment of beryllium with an alpha particle
9 𝟏𝟐
𝟒𝐵𝑒 + 42𝛼 → 𝟔𝑪 + 10𝑛

Big Bang Nucleosynthesis

Big bang nucleosynthesis is the process of producing the light elements during the big bang
expansion. After the first three minutes, the universe cooled down to a point where atomic nuclei can
form. Protons and neutrons combined to form atomic nuclei such as deuterium.

• Helium-3 was formed from the fusion of two deuterium nuclei and a release of a neutron.
• Tritium or hydrogen-3 was produced from the fusion of two deuterium nuclei and a release
of a proton.
• Helium-4 was also synthesized from deuterium and helium-3.
• Helium-4 was produced from the fusion of deuterium and tritium.
• For the first three minutes, a substantial number of neutrons was converted into helium-4
nuclei, before their decay. Helium then combined to other nuclei to form heavier ones such
as lithium-7 and beryllium-7.

• Lithium-7 was synthesized from helium-4 and tritium.


• Beryllium-7 was produced from helium-3 and helium-4.

Among the light elements formed, deuterium, helium-3, helium-4, and lithium-7 were stable.
Beryllium-7 was unstable and decayed spontaneously to lithium-7.

EVALUATION
Directions: Complete the following nuclear reactions and identify the type of reaction. SHOW
YOUR SOLUTION IN A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPE.R.
TYPE OF
NUCLEAR REACTION NUCLEAR
REACTION

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Write balanced nuclear equations for the decay of radon-222 to lead-206 in eight steps.
WRITE YOUR EXPLANATION AFTER THE NUCLEAR EQUATION. WRITE YOUR ANSWERS IN
SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER.
a. Step 1: Radon-222 decays by alpha emission. (Radon has the element symbol Rn.)

Explanation: Since Radon-222 decays by alpha emission which is the He-4 or the 42𝛼
We will reduce the mass number of Radon by 4. (222 – 4 = 218) and we will reduce the atomic number
or the number of protons of Radon by 2 (86 – 2 = 84). The element that has an atomic number of 84
is Polonium (Po). So, the daughter product of 222 218
86𝑅𝑛 is 84𝑃𝑜.

a. Step 2: The daughter product in PART A decays by alpha emission. 4 POINTS


NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:
b. Step 3:The daughter product in PART B decays by beta and gamma emissions.2 PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:

EXPLANATION:
c. Step 4:The daughter product in PART C decays by beta and gamma emissions. 4PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:
d. Step 5:The daughter product in PART D decays by beta emission. 4PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:
e. Step 6:The daughter product in PART E decays by alpha emission. 4PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:
f. Step 7:The daughter product in PART F decays by beta and gamma emissions. 4PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:
g. Step 8:The daughter product in PART G decays by alpha and gamma emissions. 5PTS
NUCLEAR REACTION:
EXPLANATION:

The final stable isotope is lead-206


REFERENCES

• Physical Science by Karen S. Santiago (Phoenix Publication)


• Physical Science for Senior High School by Olivia B. Ungson (Trinitas Publishing
Inc.)
• Quipper School: E-learning System

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