Nuclear Chemistry BasicsHESI A2 cheat sheet

Radiation and half-life

8 key facts 2 practice questions Reviewed Oct 2026

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Radiation Types

Alpha — helium nucleus, stopped by paper, least penetrating
Beta — electron, stopped by aluminum
Gamma — high-energy wave, needs lead or concrete

Half-Life

The time for half the sample to decay
After 2 half-lives, 25% remains; after 3, 12.5%

Fission Vs Fusion

Fission splits a heavy nucleus
Fusion joins light nuclei — powers the sun

Uses

Imaging, cancer treatment and sterilization

Key takeaway

Radiation and half-life

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Question 1 of 2

Which particle has essentially no mass and a negative charge?

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