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 Form 4 Chemistry: Radioactivity online lessons

Differences and similarities between chemical and nuclear reactions

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Answer Text:
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CHEMICAL vs NUCLEAR REACTIONS
-Nuclear and chemical reaction has the following
similarities:
(i)-both involve the subatomic particles; electrons, protons and neutrons in an atom
(ii)-both involve the subatomic particles trying to make the atom more stable.
(iii)-Some for of energy transfer/release/absorb from/to the environment take place.
-Nuclear and chemical reaction has the following
differences:
(i) Nuclear reactions mainly involve protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.
Chemical reactions mainly involve outer electrons in the energy levels an atom.
(ii) Nuclear reactions form a new element.
Chemical reactions do not form new elements
(iii) Nuclear reactions mainly involve evolution/production of large quantity of heat/energy.
Chemical reactions produce or absorb small quantity of heat/energy.
(iv)Nuclear reactions are accompanied by a loss in mass/mass defect.Do not obey the law of conservation of matter.
Chemical reactions are not accompanied by a loss in mass/ mass defect hence obey the law of conservation of matter.
(v)The rate of decay/ disintegration of the nuclide is independent of physical conditions (temperature/pressure /purityp/article size)
The rate of a chemical reaction is dependent on physical conditions (temperature/pressure/purity/ particle size/ surface area)


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