Question 1

Why do radiation workers wear a film badge?

Accepted Answer

A) to measure their cumulative level of exposure to radiation 
B) to measure the amount of time they spend in close proximity to radiation 
C) to monitor the different types of radiation to which they are being exposed 
D) to measure the radioactivity in their blood 
E) to quickly determine the amount of radiation given off by a piece of radioactive material with which they are working 
A) to measure their cumulative level of exposure to radiation 
B) to measure the amount of time they spend in close proximity to radiation 
C) to monitor the different types of radiation to which they are being exposed 
D) to measure the radioactivity in their blood 
E) to quickly determine the amount of radiation given off by a piece of radioactive material with which they are working

Question 2

Which statement concerning the stability of nuclei is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A) Light elements are stable if their ratio of protons to neutrons is 2:1. 
B) Nuclei with 36 or more protons are unstable. 
C) Isotopes with even numbers of protons and neutrons are more stable than those with odd numbers of protons and neutrons. 
D) All isotopes with more protons than neutrons are stable. 
E) Naturally occurring isotopes containing 1, 3, 5, 7, 9…protons or neutrons are stable. 
A) Light elements are stable if their ratio of protons to neutrons is 2:1. 
B) Nuclei with 36 or more protons are unstable. 
C) Isotopes with even numbers of protons and neutrons are more stable than those with odd numbers of protons and neutrons. 
D) All isotopes with more protons than neutrons are stable. 
E) Naturally occurring isotopes containing 1, 3, 5, 7, 9…protons or neutrons are stable.

Question 3

Which type of radiation emitted by radioactive nuclei is the slowest moving and least penetrating?

Accepted Answer

A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) positron 
E) None of the choices are correct. 
A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) positron 
E) None of the choices are correct.

Question 4

A high degree of stability is predicted for nuclei with which of the following characteristics?

Accepted Answer

A) high neutron/proton ratio (>2) 
B) more protons than neutrons 
C) even number of protons or neutrons 
D) odd number of protons 
E) large number of protons (84 or more) 
A) high neutron/proton ratio (>2) 
B) more protons than neutrons 
C) even number of protons or neutrons 
D) odd number of protons 
E) large number of protons (84 or more)

Question 5

Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope used in smoke detectors.If the symbol for this isotope is   , which of the following correctly describes its subatomic composition?

Accepted Answer

A) 241 protons, 241 electrons, 95 neutrons 
B) 95 neutrons, 241 protons, 146 electrons 
C) 95 protons, 95 electrons, 51 neutrons 
D) 146 neutrons, 95 protons, 51 electrons 
E) 95 protons, 95 electrons, 146 neutrons 
A) 241 protons, 241 electrons, 95 neutrons 
B) 95 neutrons, 241 protons, 146 electrons 
C) 95 protons, 95 electrons, 51 neutrons 
D) 146 neutrons, 95 protons, 51 electrons 
E) 95 protons, 95 electrons, 146 neutrons

Question 6

What fissionable isotope or element is produced from uranium-238 in a breeder reactor?

Accepted Answer

A) uranium-235 
B) uranium-238m 
C) plutonium-239 
D) carbon-14 
E) hydrogen-3 
A) uranium-235 
B) uranium-238m 
C) plutonium-239 
D) carbon-14 
E) hydrogen-3

Question 7

What is the nuclear symbol for the isotope formed when   undergoes beta decay?

Accepted Answer

A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)    
A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)

Question 8

Commercial nuclear power plants use the fusion process to generate electrical energy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Phosphorus-31 is a non-radioactive isotope of phosphorus, and phosphorus-32 is a radioactive isotope of phosphorus used in nuclear medicine.Which statement concerning these two isotopes is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A) Both isotopes emit high energy particles or rays known as radiation. 
B) The radioactive isotope has one more proton than the non-radioactive isotope. 
C) The non-radioactive isotope has 31 neutrons and the radioactive isotope has 32 neutrons. 
D) Both isotopes have the same number of protons and neutrons. 
E) The non-radioactive isotope has 16 neutrons and the radioactive isotope has 17 neutrons. 
A) Both isotopes emit high energy particles or rays known as radiation. 
B) The radioactive isotope has one more proton than the non-radioactive isotope. 
C) The non-radioactive isotope has 31 neutrons and the radioactive isotope has 32 neutrons. 
D) Both isotopes have the same number of protons and neutrons. 
E) The non-radioactive isotope has 16 neutrons and the radioactive isotope has 17 neutrons.

Question 10

Why are cancer cells more sensitive to radiation than normal cells?

Accepted Answer

A) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones undergoing rapid cellular division; cancer cells are an example of rapidly dividing cells. 
B) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones undergoing slow cellular division; cancer cells are an example of slowly dividing cells. 
C) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones that do not undergo cellular division; cancer cells are an example of cells that do not divide. 
D) Cancer cells generally form on top of normal cells; they are therefore the cells closest to the applied radiation. 
E) Cancer cells are shielded from radiation by their thick cellular membrane; normal cells lack this cellular membrane. 
A) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones undergoing rapid cellular division; cancer cells are an example of rapidly dividing cells. 
B) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones undergoing slow cellular division; cancer cells are an example of slowly dividing cells. 
C) The cells most sensitive to radiation are the ones that do not undergo cellular division; cancer cells are an example of cells that do not divide. 
D) Cancer cells generally form on top of normal cells; they are therefore the cells closest to the applied radiation. 
E) Cancer cells are shielded from radiation by their thick cellular membrane; normal cells lack this cellular membrane.

Question 11

How many electrons are contained in an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

A) 0 
B) 1 
C) 2 
D) 4 
E) 6 
A) 0 
B) 1 
C) 2 
D) 4 
E) 6

Question 12

Which of the following particles or rays requires barriers of lead and/or concrete for adequate protection?

Accepted Answer

A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) proton 
E) electron 
A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) proton 
E) electron

Question 13

The term LD50 means the dose of toxic material that will be needed to kill 50% of the exposed population within 30 days.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

After four half-lives, the fraction of a radioactive isotope remaining is one eighth of the initial amount.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

What does the symbol   represent?

Accepted Answer

A) an alpha particle 
B) a beta particle 
C) a gamma ray 
D) a positron 
E) a deuteron 
A) an alpha particle 
B) a beta particle 
C) a gamma ray 
D) a positron 
E) a deuteron

Question 16

Which of the following isotopes has no neutrons?

Accepted Answer

A) H-1 
B) H-2 
C) H-3 
D) He-4 
E) C-12 
A) H-1 
B) H-2 
C) H-3 
D) He-4 
E) C-12

Question 17

The sun's source of energy is nuclear fission.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which type of radiation emitted by radioactive nuclei is similar in mass to a helium atom?

Accepted Answer

A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) delta 
E) positron 
A) alpha 
B) beta 
C) gamma 
D) delta 
E) positron

Question 19

Control rods made of cadmium or boron moderate the fission reactions in nuclear power plants.Which of the following best describes how control rods function?

Accepted Answer

A) Control rods absorb the high heat that is produced from the fission reactions, preventing overheating from occurring. 
B) Control rods absorb some of the fast moving neutrons that are produced in the fission reactions, preventing their initiation of other fission reactions. 
C) Control rods absorb the steam produced when the water is heated to a high temperature, preventing the generation of electricity. 
D) Control rods absorb gamma rays that are responsible for initiating a chain reaction. 
E) Control rods act as a catalyst for the reverse of the fission reaction, preventing the fission reaction from continuing. 
A) Control rods absorb the high heat that is produced from the fission reactions, preventing overheating from occurring. 
B) Control rods absorb some of the fast moving neutrons that are produced in the fission reactions, preventing their initiation of other fission reactions. 
C) Control rods absorb the steam produced when the water is heated to a high temperature, preventing the generation of electricity. 
D) Control rods absorb gamma rays that are responsible for initiating a chain reaction. 
E) Control rods act as a catalyst for the reverse of the fission reaction, preventing the fission reaction from continuing.

Question 20

Isotopes with even numbers of protons and neutrons are generally more stable than those with odd numbers of these particles.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 9: The Nucleus, Radioactivity, and Nuclear Medicine

Why do radiation workers wear a film badge?

Which statement concerning the stability of nuclei is TRUE?

Which type of radiation emitted by radioactive nuclei is the slowest moving and least penetrating?

A high degree of stability is predicted for nuclei with which of the following characteristics?

Americium-241 is a radioactive isotope used in smoke detectors.If the symbol for this isotope is , which of the following correctly describes its subatomic composition?

What fissionable isotope or element is produced from uranium-238 in a breeder reactor?

What is the nuclear symbol for the isotope formed when undergoes beta decay?

Commercial nuclear power plants use the fusion process to generate electrical energy.

Phosphorus-31 is a non-radioactive isotope of phosphorus, and phosphorus-32 is a radioactive isotope of phosphorus used in nuclear medicine.Which statement concerning these two isotopes is TRUE?

Why are cancer cells more sensitive to radiation than normal cells?

How many electrons are contained in an alpha particle?

Which of the following particles or rays requires barriers of lead and/or concrete for adequate protection?

The term LD50 means the dose of toxic material that will be needed to kill 50% of the exposed population within 30 days.

After four half-lives, the fraction of a radioactive isotope remaining is one eighth of the initial amount.

What does the symbol represent?

Which of the following isotopes has no neutrons?

The sun's source of energy is nuclear fission.

Which type of radiation emitted by radioactive nuclei is similar in mass to a helium atom?

Control rods made of cadmium or boron moderate the fission reactions in nuclear power plants.Which of the following best describes how control rods function?

Isotopes with even numbers of protons and neutrons are generally more stable than those with odd numbers of these particles.

Chemistry:methods and Measurement

The Structure of the Atom and the Periodic Table

Structure and Properties of Ionic and Covalent Compounds

Calculations, Chemical Changes, and the Chemical Equation

States of Matter- Gases, Liquids, and Solids

Solutions

Energy, Rate and Equilibrium

Acids and Bases

An Introduction to Organic Chemistry- the Saturated Hydrocarbons

The Unsaturated Hydrocarbons- Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatics

Alcohols, Phenols, Thiols, and Ethers

Aldehydes and Ketones

Carboxylic Acids and Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

Amines and Amides

Carbohydrates

Lipids and Their Functions in Biochemical Systems

Protein Structure and Function

Enzymes

Introduction to Molecular Genetics

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Aerobic Respiration and Energy Production

Fatty Acid Metabolism

Filters

The term LD₅₀ means the dose of toxic material that will be needed to kill 50% of the exposed population within 30 days.