Question 1

Where did the atoms that make up a newborn baby originate?

Accepted Answer

A) in the womb of the baby's mother 
B) in the digestion of the food that the mother ate 
C) in the earth through geological processes 
D) in the explosions of ancient stars 
A) in the womb of the baby's mother 
B) in the digestion of the food that the mother ate 
C) in the earth through geological processes 
D) in the explosions of ancient stars

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Why does plutonium not occur in appreciable amounts in natural ore deposits?

Accepted Answer

A) Most naturally occurring plutonium deposits have already been depleted in the creation of nuclear weapons. 
B) Plutonium is strictly a human-made element. 
C) Any plutonium initially in the earth's crust has long since decayed. 
D) Plutonium loses electrons to form positively charged particles that have long since washed into the oceans. 
A) Most naturally occurring plutonium deposits have already been depleted in the creation of nuclear weapons. 
B) Plutonium is strictly a human-made element. 
C) Any plutonium initially in the earth's crust has long since decayed. 
D) Plutonium loses electrons to form positively charged particles that have long since washed into the oceans.

Question 4

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A) Fusing a pair of deuterium nuclei produces more energy because there is a greater decrease in mass per nucleon. 
B) Fissioning a single uranium nucleus produces more energy because its change in mass is much greater than that of a pair of deuterium nuclei. 
A) Fusing a pair of deuterium nuclei produces more energy because there is a greater decrease in mass per nucleon. 
B) Fissioning a single uranium nucleus produces more energy because its change in mass is much greater than that of a pair of deuterium nuclei.

Question 5

How is it possible for an element to decay "forward in the periodic table"--that is, to decay to an element of higher atomic number?

Accepted Answer

A) When the decay is instigated by a collision with a proton. 
B) As a beta particle is released, a neutron transforms into a proton. 
C) This only occurs during nuclear fusion. 
D) It is not possible. Radioactive decay always results in an isotope with the same or lower atomic number. 
A) When the decay is instigated by a collision with a proton. 
B) As a beta particle is released, a neutron transforms into a proton. 
C) This only occurs during nuclear fusion. 
D) It is not possible. Radioactive decay always results in an isotope with the same or lower atomic number.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

A)    e 
B)    He 
C) gamma ray 
D) both A and B 
E) none of the above 
A)    e 
B)    He 
C) gamma ray 
D) both A and B 
E) none of the above

Question 7

Which type of radiation-alpha, beta, or gamma-results in the least change in atomic 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 8

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) minimum amount required for a self-sustaining chain reaction 
B) minimum amount required for radioactive decay 
C) maximum amount that will detonate when separated into subcritical pieces 
D) maximum amount needed to make a nuclear power plant operate sustainably 
A) minimum amount required for a self-sustaining chain reaction 
B) minimum amount required for radioactive decay 
C) maximum amount that will detonate when separated into subcritical pieces 
D) maximum amount needed to make a nuclear power plant operate sustainably

Where did the atoms that make up a newborn baby originate?

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

Why does plutonium not occur in appreciable amounts in natural ore deposits?

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

How is it possible for an element to decay "forward in the periodic table"--that is, to decay to an element of higher atomic number?

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

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

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

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

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Nutrients of Life

Medicinal Chemistry

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

Where did the atoms that make up a newborn baby originate?

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

Why does plutonium not occur in appreciable amounts in natural ore deposits?

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

How is it possible for an element to decay "forward in the periodic table"--that is, to decay to an element of higher atomic number?

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

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

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

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