Nuclear chemistry

Traps in Nuclear chemistry

• Takes one factor as the whole answer
  Ask whether the option is necessary or sufficient. If the stem involves two changes or two conditions, both must appear in the answer.
• Uses everyday or macroscopic thinking instead of particles
  Ask what the particles, ions or electrons are doing. Properties of a substance come from its particles and bonds, not from how it looks or feels.
• Radioactivity in chemistry errors
  Balance mass numbers and atomic numbers on both sides. α = ⁴₂He, β = ⁰₋₁e, n = ¹₀n.
• Reverses a trend, direction or effect
  State the rule with its direction before looking at the options (down group 1 reactivity INCREASES; exothermic forward reaction: heating shifts LEFT). An option that is the mirror image of the rule is the trap.
• Picks a related substance or process with a different role
  Learn reagents and processes as one-line 'name → job' cards and contrast neighbours in a table (process | product | catalyst | conditions). Match the job in the stem, not just the topic.
• Miscounts atoms, electrons or steps
  After working, check by counting back: total electrons = atomic number; atoms in the formula match the subscripts; number of half-lives = time ÷ half-life.
• Uses the wrong arithmetic operation
  Write the relationship in words before substituting (crystals = solubility at high T − solubility at low T; neutrons = A − Z; three doublings = 2³). Then check the size of the answer.
• Mixes up a pair of similar chemical terms
  Keep a list of confusable pairs with one defining feature each and a hook. Underline the key word in the stem and check it against the definition, not the sound of the name.