Question 1

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

Accepted Answer

A) lead 
B) platinum 
C) polonium 
D) thallium 
A) lead 
B) platinum 
C) polonium 
D) thallium

Question 2

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Accepted Answer

A) Yields energy. Splitting nuclei of any sort is a basic example of a nuclear reaction releasing massive amounts of energy. 
B) Neither. The amount of energy required to split the light nuclei is exactly the same as that released. This is the basis of the Law of Conservation of Energy. 
C) Costs energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being greater than the mass of the original deuteron. 
D) Yields energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being less than the mass of the original deuteron. 
A) Yields energy. Splitting nuclei of any sort is a basic example of a nuclear reaction releasing massive amounts of energy. 
B) Neither. The amount of energy required to split the light nuclei is exactly the same as that released. This is the basis of the Law of Conservation of Energy. 
C) Costs energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being greater than the mass of the original deuteron. 
D) Yields energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being less than the mass of the original deuteron.

Question 3

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Accepted Answer

A) airline pilot 
B) quarterback for the Denver Broncos 
C) center for the L.A. Lakers 
D) deep sea diver 
E) lifeguard 
A) airline pilot 
B) quarterback for the Denver Broncos 
C) center for the L.A. Lakers 
D) deep sea diver 
E) lifeguard

Question 4

Explain how radioactive decay has always warmed the earth from the inside, and nuclear fusion has always warmed the earth from the outside.

Accepted Answer

A) Much heat was released as matter coalesced to form the earth. This heat resulted in the production of radioactive isotopes, which still reside within the earth today and are a source of internal heat. Our primary external source of heat is from the fusion of hydrogen within the sun. 
B) The inner Earth is made of fissioning heavy elements while the sun is made of lighter fusing elements. 
C) Radioactive elements have been within Earth since it was created while the sun is made of fusing hydrogen atoms. 
D) All of the above are reasonable answers. 
A) Much heat was released as matter coalesced to form the earth. This heat resulted in the production of radioactive isotopes, which still reside within the earth today and are a source of internal heat. Our primary external source of heat is from the fusion of hydrogen within the sun. 
B) The inner Earth is made of fissioning heavy elements while the sun is made of lighter fusing elements. 
C) Radioactive elements have been within Earth since it was created while the sun is made of fusing hydrogen atoms. 
D) All of the above are reasonable answers.

Question 5

Complete the following nuclear equation:   Bi → ?? +   e

Accepted Answer

A)    Po 
B)    Pb 
C)    Pb 
D)    Th 
E) none of the above 
A)    Po 
B)    Pb 
C)    Pb 
D)    Th 
E) none of the above

Question 6

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Accepted Answer

A) industrial thermal pollution 
B) radioactivity 
C) chemical reactions involving the atomic nucleus 
D) nuclear fission 
A) industrial thermal pollution 
B) radioactivity 
C) chemical reactions involving the atomic nucleus 
D) nuclear fission

Question 7

Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that ________.

Accepted Answer

A) the coal-fired power plant's radiation shields need to be strengthened 
B) the coal-fired power plant has been contaminated 
C) the coal-fired power plant contains none of the radiation it releases 
D) the news media is biased in its coverage 
A) the coal-fired power plant's radiation shields need to be strengthened 
B) the coal-fired power plant has been contaminated 
C) the coal-fired power plant contains none of the radiation it releases 
D) the news media is biased in its coverage

Question 8

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Accepted Answer

A) external fusion 
B) internal fusion 
C) internal fission 
D) external fission 
E) internal combustion 
A) external fusion 
B) internal fusion 
C) internal fission 
D) external fission 
E) internal combustion

Question 9

Which are older, the atoms in the body of an elderly person or those in the body of a baby?

Accepted Answer

A) a baby because this is surely a trick question 
B) an elderly person because they have been around much longer 
C) They are of the same age, which is appreciably older than the solar system. 
D) It depends upon their diet. 
A) a baby because this is surely a trick question 
B) an elderly person because they have been around much longer 
C) They are of the same age, which is appreciably older than the solar system. 
D) It depends upon their diet.

Question 10

Ordinary hydrogen is sometimes called a perfect fuel, because of its almost unlimited supply on Earth, and when it burns, harmless water is the product of the combustion. So why don't we abandon fission energy and fusion energy, not to mention fossil-fuel energy, and just use hydrogen?

Accepted Answer

A) The oil companies have lobbied the federal government to continue fossil fuel usage because it would mean huge profit losses for all the major oil conglomerates. 
B) The conversion of current energy consuming vehicles and other machinery to hydrogen, although simple, is going to be very costly to the consumer and difficult to legislate. 
C) The political, economic, and corporate pressures being exerted to oppose abandoning the other energy sources are the only obstacles to moving to the use of hydrogen as the nation's primary energy source. 
D) Hydrogen represents a viable solution for stored energy but not as a general energy source since obtaining the hydrogen from water requires more energy than is produced when you burn it. 
A) The oil companies have lobbied the federal government to continue fossil fuel usage because it would mean huge profit losses for all the major oil conglomerates. 
B) The conversion of current energy consuming vehicles and other machinery to hydrogen, although simple, is going to be very costly to the consumer and difficult to legislate. 
C) The political, economic, and corporate pressures being exerted to oppose abandoning the other energy sources are the only obstacles to moving to the use of hydrogen as the nation's primary energy source. 
D) Hydrogen represents a viable solution for stored energy but not as a general energy source since obtaining the hydrogen from water requires more energy than is produced when you burn it.

Question 11

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

Accepted Answer

A) The half-life of an isotope is constant. 
B) The amount of radioactive form depends on the amount of radiation in the surroundings. 
C) The ratio between the radioactive form and the stable form depends on the archaeological record. 
D) The ratio between the radioactive form and stable form varies regularly with time. 
E) both C and D 
A) The half-life of an isotope is constant. 
B) The amount of radioactive form depends on the amount of radiation in the surroundings. 
C) The ratio between the radioactive form and the stable form depends on the archaeological record. 
D) The ratio between the radioactive form and stable form varies regularly with time. 
E) both C and D

Question 12

Which type of radiation-alpha, beta, or gamma-results in the greatest change in atomic mass number?

Accepted Answer

A) alpha radiation 
B) beta radiation 
C) gamma radiation 
D) They all result in the same change in atomic mass number. 
A) alpha radiation 
B) beta radiation 
C) gamma radiation 
D) They all result in the same change in atomic mass number.

Question 13

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

Accepted Answer

A) emit radiation 
B) emit light 
C) emit electrons 
D) glow in the dark 
E) radiate heat 
A) emit radiation 
B) emit light 
C) emit electrons 
D) glow in the dark 
E) radiate heat

Question 14

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

Accepted Answer

A) Gamma radiation would be best because it penetrates the best. 
B) Alpha radiation would be best because it penetrates the least and therefore does the least damage. 
C) Beta radiation would be best because it can be measured electrically. 
D) Only X-rays are used for medical imaging. 
E) none of the above 
A) Gamma radiation would be best because it penetrates the best. 
B) Alpha radiation would be best because it penetrates the least and therefore does the least damage. 
C) Beta radiation would be best because it can be measured electrically. 
D) Only X-rays are used for medical imaging. 
E) none of the above

Question 15

A pair of protons in a small atomic nucleus repel each other, but they are also attracted to each other. Why?

Accepted Answer

A) The pair repel each other by nuclear force but attract one another by an electrical force. 
B) The pair repel each other since they are both positively charges but they are held together by much stronger forces known as quarks. 
C) The pair attract each other by nuclear force but also repel one another by a weaker electrical force. 
D) Although it is known that protons repel each other at short distances because of like charge, it is not known what actually holds protons together in the nucleus because we have never seen the nucleus of an atom. 
A) The pair repel each other by nuclear force but attract one another by an electrical force. 
B) The pair repel each other since they are both positively charges but they are held together by much stronger forces known as quarks. 
C) The pair attract each other by nuclear force but also repel one another by a weaker electrical force. 
D) Although it is known that protons repel each other at short distances because of like charge, it is not known what actually holds protons together in the nucleus because we have never seen the nucleus of an atom.

Question 16

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

Accepted Answer

A) Run away as fast as you can! 
B) The Geiger counter is emitting radiation. 
C) The Geiger counter is detecting naturally occurring radiation from your body. 
D) Wear heavy clothes. 
A) Run away as fast as you can! 
B) The Geiger counter is emitting radiation. 
C) The Geiger counter is detecting naturally occurring radiation from your body. 
D) Wear heavy clothes.

Question 17

Why is the combination of two protons and two neutrons stable, but the combination of two protons and one neutron is not?

Accepted Answer

A) There are not enough neutrons to overcome the electrical repulsion of the protons. 
B) There are not enough neutrons to overcome the nuclear repulsion of the protons. 
C) The nuclear attraction between protons is greater than that between neutrons. 
D) The electrical repulsion between the two protons is greater in one case than the other. 
E) none of the above 
A) There are not enough neutrons to overcome the electrical repulsion of the protons. 
B) There are not enough neutrons to overcome the nuclear repulsion of the protons. 
C) The nuclear attraction between protons is greater than that between neutrons. 
D) The electrical repulsion between the two protons is greater in one case than the other. 
E) none of the above

Question 18

Which of the following elements is the most stable from a nuclear point of view?

Accepted Answer

A) iron 
B) hydrogen 
C) argon 
D) uranium 
E) All are equally stable. 
A) iron 
B) hydrogen 
C) argon 
D) uranium 
E) All are equally stable.

Question 19

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Accepted Answer

A) Protons are able to exist side-by-side within an atomic nucleus. 
B) Neutrons spontaneously decay into protons and electrons. 
C) Uranium deposits are always slightly warmer than their immediate surroundings. 
D) The radio interference that arises adjacent to any radioactive source. 
A) Protons are able to exist side-by-side within an atomic nucleus. 
B) Neutrons spontaneously decay into protons and electrons. 
C) Uranium deposits are always slightly warmer than their immediate surroundings. 
D) The radio interference that arises adjacent to any radioactive source.

Question 20

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

Accepted Answer

A) a 
B) b 
C) c 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above 
A) a 
B) b 
C) c 
D) all of the above 
E) none of the above

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Explain how radioactive decay has always warmed the earth from the inside, and nuclear fusion has always warmed the earth from the outside.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Bi → ?? + e

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that ________.

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Which are older, the atoms in the body of an elderly person or those in the body of a baby?

Ordinary hydrogen is sometimes called a perfect fuel, because of its almost unlimited supply on Earth, and when it burns, harmless water is the product of the combustion. So why don't we abandon fission energy and fusion energy, not to mention fossil-fuel energy, and just use hydrogen?

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

Which type of radiation-alpha, beta, or gamma-results in the greatest change in atomic mass number?

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

A pair of protons in a small atomic nucleus repel each other, but they are also attracted to each other. Why?

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

Why is the combination of two protons and two neutrons stable, but the combination of two protons and one neutron is not?

Which of the following elements is the most stable from a nuclear point of view?

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

About Science

Particles of Matter

Elements of Chemistry

Subatomic Particles

How Atoms Bond

How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

Acids and Bases in Our Environment

Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

Organic Compounds

Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Explain how radioactive decay has always warmed the earth from the inside, and nuclear fusion has always warmed the earth from the outside.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Bi → ?? + e

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Coal contains only minute quantities of radioactive materials, yet there is more environmental radiation surrounding a coal-fired power plant than a fission power plant. This indicates that ________.

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Which are older, the atoms in the body of an elderly person or those in the body of a baby?

Ordinary hydrogen is sometimes called a perfect fuel, because of its almost unlimited supply on Earth, and when it burns, harmless water is the product of the combustion. So why don't we abandon fission energy and fusion energy, not to mention fossil-fuel energy, and just use hydrogen?

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

Which type of radiation-alpha, beta, or gamma-results in the greatest change in atomic mass number?

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

A pair of protons in a small atomic nucleus repel each other, but they are also attracted to each other. Why?

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

Why is the combination of two protons and two neutrons stable, but the combination of two protons and one neutron is not?

Which of the following elements is the most stable from a nuclear point of view?

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

About Science

Particles of Matter

Elements of Chemistry

Subatomic Particles

How Atoms Bond

How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

Acids and Bases in Our Environment

Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

Organic Compounds

Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

Optimizing Food Production

Protection Water and Air Resources

Capturing Energy

Filters