a. Define electrochemistry.
b. Diagram an electrochemical cell.
c. Identify the composition of electrochemical cell
d. List 4 applications of electrolytic cell
References/Further Reading
Rattan, S. (2017). A Textbook of Engineering Chemistry. S.K. Kataria and Sons.
Unit 3
Introductory Nuclear Chemistry
Content
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcomes
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Nuclear and Ordinary Chemistry
3.2 Radioactivity
3.3 Characteristics of alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation
3.4 Nuclear stability
3.5 Nuclear Equations
3.6 Kinetics of Radioactivity
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-marked assignment
7.0 References/further reading
14 | P a g e
, 1.0 Introduction
In the earlier module, idea of chemical elements and combinations were learned. The common
elements constituted what was learned. The present unit is focusing on yet on these common
elements but a little unknown particles such as radiations and emission particles are now to be
introduced. In this unit, focus will be more on nucleus of atoms. The changes and effect of activities
of proton and neutron rather than common electron shall be explained. The various ways by which
nuclear reactions differ from ordinary one shall be discussed. This unit will enable the students to
have idea of nuclear equations and the basic underlying idea.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
After studying this unit, student you should be able to:
i. Explain the differences between ordinary chemical and nuclear reactions
ii. Define radioactivity and conditions
iii. Characterize alpha, beta and gamma radiations
iv. Illustrate , by examples, the expression of nuclear stability
v. Distinguish radioactive decay series
vi. Write and balance nuclear equations
vii. Express mathematically, the kinetics of radioactivity
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Nuclear and Ordinary Chemistry
This is a branch of chemistry that places attention on the sub-particles of atom within the nuclei in
addition to the electronic changes that occur in ordinary chemical reactions. The particles often
encountered in nuclear chemistry includes; Alpha(α), Beta(𝛽), Gamma(𝛾), Neutron(n),
Positron(𝛽 +), Proton(p+), Deuterium(D) and so on.
The nucleus of atom houses the proton and neuron. These two sub particles are collectively called
nucleon. In nuclear reaction, the species of the nucleon participating are called nuclides. Hence,
we call an element (or species) which undergoes disintegration as radioactive nuclide.
Ordinary reaction which limits its definition to mere interaction between molecules, atoms or ions.
It differs from nuclear reaction which takes into account the nuclear behaviour of the interactive
species. For instance, isotopes of the same elements have different physical but similar chemical
15 | P a g e
b. Diagram an electrochemical cell.
c. Identify the composition of electrochemical cell
d. List 4 applications of electrolytic cell
References/Further Reading
Rattan, S. (2017). A Textbook of Engineering Chemistry. S.K. Kataria and Sons.
Unit 3
Introductory Nuclear Chemistry
Content
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Learning Outcomes
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Nuclear and Ordinary Chemistry
3.2 Radioactivity
3.3 Characteristics of alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) radiation
3.4 Nuclear stability
3.5 Nuclear Equations
3.6 Kinetics of Radioactivity
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Summary
6.0 Tutor-marked assignment
7.0 References/further reading
14 | P a g e
, 1.0 Introduction
In the earlier module, idea of chemical elements and combinations were learned. The common
elements constituted what was learned. The present unit is focusing on yet on these common
elements but a little unknown particles such as radiations and emission particles are now to be
introduced. In this unit, focus will be more on nucleus of atoms. The changes and effect of activities
of proton and neutron rather than common electron shall be explained. The various ways by which
nuclear reactions differ from ordinary one shall be discussed. This unit will enable the students to
have idea of nuclear equations and the basic underlying idea.
2.0 Learning Outcomes
After studying this unit, student you should be able to:
i. Explain the differences between ordinary chemical and nuclear reactions
ii. Define radioactivity and conditions
iii. Characterize alpha, beta and gamma radiations
iv. Illustrate , by examples, the expression of nuclear stability
v. Distinguish radioactive decay series
vi. Write and balance nuclear equations
vii. Express mathematically, the kinetics of radioactivity
3.0 Learning Content
3.1 Nuclear and Ordinary Chemistry
This is a branch of chemistry that places attention on the sub-particles of atom within the nuclei in
addition to the electronic changes that occur in ordinary chemical reactions. The particles often
encountered in nuclear chemistry includes; Alpha(α), Beta(𝛽), Gamma(𝛾), Neutron(n),
Positron(𝛽 +), Proton(p+), Deuterium(D) and so on.
The nucleus of atom houses the proton and neuron. These two sub particles are collectively called
nucleon. In nuclear reaction, the species of the nucleon participating are called nuclides. Hence,
we call an element (or species) which undergoes disintegration as radioactive nuclide.
Ordinary reaction which limits its definition to mere interaction between molecules, atoms or ions.
It differs from nuclear reaction which takes into account the nuclear behaviour of the interactive
species. For instance, isotopes of the same elements have different physical but similar chemical
15 | P a g e
