Question 1

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

Accepted Answer

A) alpha radiation 
B) beta radiation 
C) gamma radiation 
D) None of these predominate as all three are abundant. 
A) alpha radiation 
B) beta radiation 
C) gamma radiation 
D) None of these predominate as all three are abundant.

Question 2

If a nucleus of   Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

Accepted Answer

A) americium-232 
B) plutonium-232 
C) thorium-233 
D) uranium-233 
A) americium-232 
B) plutonium-232 
C) thorium-233 
D) uranium-233

Question 3

To predict the approximate energy release of either a fission or a fusion reaction, explain how a physicist uses a table of nuclear masses and the equation E = m   .

Accepted Answer

A) find the change in mass and divided by the speed of light squared 
B) find the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light squared 
C) find the change in mass, square it, and multiply by the speed of light 
D) take the square root of the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light 
A) find the change in mass and divided by the speed of light squared 
B) find the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light squared 
C) find the change in mass, square it, and multiply by the speed of light 
D) take the square root of the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light

Question 4

Which of the following statements about chain reactions is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The key requirement for a chain reaction is that more neutrons are produced than are absorbed. 
B) Three or more neutrons must be released to sustain a chain reaction. 
C) Only uranium isotopes are capable of supporting a chain reaction. 
D) It is not possible to stop or control a chain reaction once it has been started. 
E) A chain reaction will only take place when a critical mass of material has been assembled. 
A) The key requirement for a chain reaction is that more neutrons are produced than are absorbed. 
B) Three or more neutrons must be released to sustain a chain reaction. 
C) Only uranium isotopes are capable of supporting a chain reaction. 
D) It is not possible to stop or control a chain reaction once it has been started. 
E) A chain reaction will only take place when a critical mass of material has been assembled.

Question 5

The element uranium (U, atomic no. = 92)often has 146 (or more)neutrons but it will still undergo radioactive decay. Which statement might best describe why?

Accepted Answer

A) The attractive forces of the nucleons have a limited range. 
B) Any isolated neutron is not stable and will undergo spontaneous transformation into a proton and an electron. 
C) The force is strong with U, but tainted with the dark side it is. 
D) both A and B 
E) none of the above 
A) The attractive forces of the nucleons have a limited range. 
B) Any isolated neutron is not stable and will undergo spontaneous transformation into a proton and an electron. 
C) The force is strong with U, but tainted with the dark side it is. 
D) both A and B 
E) none of the above

Question 6

Which of the following emits more radiation?

Accepted Answer

A) a coal-fired power plant 
B) a nuclear power plant 
C) fallout from nuclear tests in the '50s and '60s 
D) a television set 
E) a computer monitor 
A) a coal-fired power plant 
B) a nuclear power plant 
C) fallout from nuclear tests in the '50s and '60s 
D) a television set 
E) a computer monitor

Question 7

Which of the following statements about fusion is the most accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants. 
B) The mass of the reactants is less than the mass of the products. 
C) A nuclear fusion will always release energy. 
D) Overcoming the strong nuclear force results in the release of a large amount of energy. 
E) Fission releases more energy than fusion. 
A) The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants. 
B) The mass of the reactants is less than the mass of the products. 
C) A nuclear fusion will always release energy. 
D) Overcoming the strong nuclear force results in the release of a large amount of energy. 
E) Fission releases more energy than fusion.

Question 8

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

A) yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation 
B) no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible 
C) yes, but it does not occur very frequently 
D) no, because it does not contain enough nucleons 
A) yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation 
B) no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible 
C) yes, but it does not occur very frequently 
D) no, because it does not contain enough nucleons

Question 9

Which of the following statements best describes why a large nucleus is more likely to undergo radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

A) The nuclear forces are not as strong as the repulsive electrical forces between nucleons. 
B) The nuclear force between the nucleons are very strong and squeeze out other nucleons. 
C) The nucleon-nucleon attraction is stronger than the proton-proton repulsion. 
D) The proton-proton repulsion cannot overcome the nucleon attraction. 
E) All nuclei are equally likely to undergo radioactive decay. 
A) The nuclear forces are not as strong as the repulsive electrical forces between nucleons. 
B) The nuclear force between the nucleons are very strong and squeeze out other nucleons. 
C) The nucleon-nucleon attraction is stronger than the proton-proton repulsion. 
D) The proton-proton repulsion cannot overcome the nucleon attraction. 
E) All nuclei are equally likely to undergo radioactive decay.

Question 10

A shorter half-life means that a radioactive substance is relatively ________.

Accepted Answer

A) stable 
B) unstable 
C) difficult to detect 
D) common 
A) stable 
B) unstable 
C) difficult to detect 
D) common

Question 11

What is transmutation?

Accepted Answer

A) changing one element into another by adding or removing protons from the nucleus 
B) changing one element into another by adding or removing electrons from the nucleus 
C) changing one element into another by adding or removing neutrons from the nucleus 
D) a process that emits radiation 
E) alteration in DNA due to radioactivity 
A) changing one element into another by adding or removing protons from the nucleus 
B) changing one element into another by adding or removing electrons from the nucleus 
C) changing one element into another by adding or removing neutrons from the nucleus 
D) a process that emits radiation 
E) alteration in DNA due to radioactivity

Question 12

If a nucleus of   Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

Accepted Answer

A) Americium-232 
B) Plutonium-232 
C) Thorium-233 
D) Uranium-233 
A) Americium-232 
B) Plutonium-232 
C) Thorium-233 
D) Uranium-233

Question 13

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Accepted Answer

A)    Th →   Pa +   e 
B)    Th →   Ac +   e 
C)    Th →   Pa +   e 
D)    Th →   e 
E) none of the above 
A)    Th →   Pa +   e 
B)    Th →   Ac +   e 
C)    Th →   Pa +   e 
D)    Th →   e 
E) none of the above

Question 14

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Accepted Answer

A)    U →   Th +   He 
B)    U →   U +   He 
C)    U →   Pu +   He 
D)    U →   He 
E) none of the above 
A)    U →   Th +   He 
B)    U →   U +   He 
C)    U →   Pu +   He 
D)    U →   He 
E) none of the above

Question 15

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

Accepted Answer

A) Uranium ore must be "weapons' grade" in order for it to undergo chain reaction. 
B) Uranium ore is mostly non-fissionable isotope U-238. 
C) Uranium ore does spontaneously undergo slow chain reaction over time finally resulting in it becoming lead. 
D) Uranium ore, mostly U-235, must be enriched with U-238 in order for it to undergo a chain reaction. 
A) Uranium ore must be "weapons' grade" in order for it to undergo chain reaction. 
B) Uranium ore is mostly non-fissionable isotope U-238. 
C) Uranium ore does spontaneously undergo slow chain reaction over time finally resulting in it becoming lead. 
D) Uranium ore, mostly U-235, must be enriched with U-238 in order for it to undergo a chain reaction.

Question 16

What is a rem?

Accepted Answer

A) A rem is a unit for measuring radiation exposure. 
B) A rem is the maximum exposure limit for occupational safety. 
C) Rem stands for Rapid Electron Motion. 
D) A rem is the number of radiation particles absorbed per second. 
E) Rem is an '80s rock group. 
A) A rem is a unit for measuring radiation exposure. 
B) A rem is the maximum exposure limit for occupational safety. 
C) Rem stands for Rapid Electron Motion. 
D) A rem is the number of radiation particles absorbed per second. 
E) Rem is an '80s rock group.

Question 17

A sample of radium is usually a little warmer than its surroundings because ________.

Accepted Answer

A) it efficiently absorbs and releases energy from sunlight 
B) its atoms are continually being struck by alpha and beta particles 
C) it is radioactive 
D) it emits alpha and beta particles 
A) it efficiently absorbs and releases energy from sunlight 
B) its atoms are continually being struck by alpha and beta particles 
C) it is radioactive 
D) it emits alpha and beta particles

Question 18

Complete the following nuclear equation:   Po → ?? +   He

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Elements above uranium in the periodic table do not exist in any appreciable amounts in nature because they have short half-lives. Yet there are several elements below uranium in atomic number with equally short half-lives that do exist in appreciable amounts in nature. How can you account for this?

Accepted Answer

A) These are isotopes formed by living bodies. 
B) These isotopes were placed in nature by the testing of nuclear bombs. 
C) These isotopes were formed from the fusion of even smaller isotopes. 
D) These isotopes result from the radioactive decay of uranium. 
A) These are isotopes formed by living bodies. 
B) These isotopes were placed in nature by the testing of nuclear bombs. 
C) These isotopes were formed from the fusion of even smaller isotopes. 
D) These isotopes result from the radioactive decay of uranium.

Question 20

If Uranium-234 decays via alpha emission, what is the likely product of radioactive decay? (U, atomic no. = 92)

Accepted Answer

A)    Th 
B)    Np 
C)    Th 
D)    Np 
E) none of the above 
A)    Th 
B)    Np 
C)    Th 
D)    Np 
E) none of the above

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

If a nucleus of Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

To predict the approximate energy release of either a fission or a fusion reaction, explain how a physicist uses a table of nuclear masses and the equation E = m .

Which of the following statements about chain reactions is true?

The element uranium (U, atomic no. = 92)often has 146 (or more)neutrons but it will still undergo radioactive decay. Which statement might best describe why?

Which of the following emits more radiation?

Which of the following statements about fusion is the most accurate?

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

Which of the following statements best describes why a large nucleus is more likely to undergo radioactive decay?

A shorter half-life means that a radioactive substance is relatively ________.

What is transmutation?

If a nucleus of Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

What is a rem?

A sample of radium is usually a little warmer than its surroundings because ________.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Po → ?? + He

Elements above uranium in the periodic table do not exist in any appreciable amounts in nature because they have short half-lives. Yet there are several elements below uranium in atomic number with equally short half-lives that do exist in appreciable amounts in nature. How can you account for this?

If Uranium-234 decays via alpha emission, what is the likely product of radioactive decay? (U, atomic no. = 92)

About Science

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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

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Nutrients of Life

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

If a nucleus of Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

To predict the approximate energy release of either a fission or a fusion reaction, explain how a physicist uses a table of nuclear masses and the equation E = m .

Which of the following statements about chain reactions is true?

The element uranium (U, atomic no. = 92)often has 146 (or more)neutrons but it will still undergo radioactive decay. Which statement might best describe why?

Which of the following emits more radiation?

Which of the following statements about fusion is the most accurate?

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

Which of the following statements best describes why a large nucleus is more likely to undergo radioactive decay?

A shorter half-life means that a radioactive substance is relatively ________.

What is transmutation?

If a nucleus of Th absorbs a neutron and the resulting nucleus undergoes two successive beta decays (emitting electrons), what nucleus results?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

What is a rem?

A sample of radium is usually a little warmer than its surroundings because ________.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Po → ?? + He

If Uranium-234 decays via alpha emission, what is the likely product of radioactive decay? (U, atomic no. = 92)

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