Question 1

The A- bomb is based on

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fission. 
B)  a chemical reaction. 
C)  nuclear fusion. 
D)  popcorn. 
E)  radioactive decay. 
A)  nuclear fission. 
B)  a chemical reaction. 
C)  nuclear fusion. 
D)  popcorn. 
E)  radioactive decay. A

Question 2

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Accepted Answer

A)  acquiring radioactive material and using conventional explosive to disperse this material. 
B)  seizing an intact nuclear weapon. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  enriching natural uranium to weapons grade uranium, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  acquiring radioactive material and using conventional explosive to disperse this material. 
B)  seizing an intact nuclear weapon. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  enriching natural uranium to weapons grade uranium, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
E)  All of the above. C

Question 3

Hydrogen must be raised to a high temperature before it will fuse. This is because

Accepted Answer

A)  high temperatures are needed to overcome the strong nuclear force between hydrogen nuclei. 
B)  high temperatures are needed to overcome the electric repulsion between hydrogen nuclei. 
C)  fusion and all other forms of chemical combustion must be initiated by high temperatures. 
D)  this reaction consumes more thermal energy than it produces. 
E)  this reaction must consume a large amount of thermal energy in order to produce nuclear energy. 
A)  high temperatures are needed to overcome the strong nuclear force between hydrogen nuclei. 
B)  high temperatures are needed to overcome the electric repulsion between hydrogen nuclei. 
C)  fusion and all other forms of chemical combustion must be initiated by high temperatures. 
D)  this reaction consumes more thermal energy than it produces. 
E)  this reaction must consume a large amount of thermal energy in order to produce nuclear energy. B

Question 4

The term "dirty bomb" refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  a bomb that uses conventional explosive to disperse radioactive materials. 
B)  any nuclear device that is used for terrorist purposes. 
C)  a conventional chemical bomb that disperses pieces of metal in order to harm the maximum number of people. 
D)  a nuclear device that releases neutrons in order to kill people without harming buildings and other structures. 
E)  a nuclear device that is optimized for the release of radioactive materials. 
A)  a bomb that uses conventional explosive to disperse radioactive materials. 
B)  any nuclear device that is used for terrorist purposes. 
C)  a conventional chemical bomb that disperses pieces of metal in order to harm the maximum number of people. 
D)  a nuclear device that releases neutrons in order to kill people without harming buildings and other structures. 
E)  a nuclear device that is optimized for the release of radioactive materials.

Question 5

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Accepted Answer

A)  acquiring radioactive material and using conventional explosive to disperse this material. 
B)  enriching natural uranium to weapons grade uranium, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
C)  obtaining plutonium by the chemical reprocessing of used fuel rods, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  acquiring radioactive material and using conventional explosive to disperse this material. 
B)  enriching natural uranium to weapons grade uranium, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
C)  obtaining plutonium by the chemical reprocessing of used fuel rods, and building a nuclear weapon from it. 
D)  All of the above. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 6

Which of the following works best for fissioning a uranium nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Heat it up to such a high temperature that collisions cause uranium nuclei to split. 
B)  Hit it with a neutron. 
C)  Hit it with a proton. 
D)  Hit it with another uranium nucleus. 
E)  Hit it with an electron. 
A)  Heat it up to such a high temperature that collisions cause uranium nuclei to split. 
B)  Hit it with a neutron. 
C)  Hit it with a proton. 
D)  Hit it with another uranium nucleus. 
E)  Hit it with an electron.

Question 7

Which of the following works best for fusing hydrogen?

Accepted Answer

A)  Bring the hydrogen nuclei together very slowly until they hold together. 
B)  Heat it up to such a high temperature that collisions cause the nuclei to fuse. 
C)  Hit the hydrogen nucleus with a neutron. 
D)  Hit the hydrogen nucleus with an electron. 
E)  Cool the hydrogen until the nuclei are at rest and then suddenly compress them. 
A)  Bring the hydrogen nuclei together very slowly until they hold together. 
B)  Heat it up to such a high temperature that collisions cause the nuclei to fuse. 
C)  Hit the hydrogen nucleus with a neutron. 
D)  Hit the hydrogen nucleus with an electron. 
E)  Cool the hydrogen until the nuclei are at rest and then suddenly compress them.

Question 8

The two most plentiful elements in the universe are

Accepted Answer

A)  hydrogen and helium. 
B)  nitrogen and helium. 
C)  lithium and helium. 
D)  carbon and oxygen. 
E)  hydrogen and oxygen. 
A)  hydrogen and helium. 
B)  nitrogen and helium. 
C)  lithium and helium. 
D)  carbon and oxygen. 
E)  hydrogen and oxygen.

Question 9

Centrifuge separation, a method of separating 235U from 238U, works because of

Accepted Answer

A)  the difference in the masses of the two nuclei. 
B)  the fact that both these nuclei are radioactive. 
C)  the difference in electrical charge of the two nuclei. 
D)  the difference in size of the two nuclei. 
E)  the fact that both these nuclei respond to (or feel) the strong nuclear force. 
A)  the difference in the masses of the two nuclei. 
B)  the fact that both these nuclei are radioactive. 
C)  the difference in electrical charge of the two nuclei. 
D)  the difference in size of the two nuclei. 
E)  the fact that both these nuclei respond to (or feel) the strong nuclear force.

Question 10

Suppose that you fission a sulfur nucleus, 32 S, into two fragments. Referring to the graph above, does this process convert nuclear energy to other forms, or is it vice versa?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nuclear energy to other forms, because this process proceeds downward, from higher to lower energy on the curve. 
B)  Other forms to nuclear energy, because this process proceeds upward, from lower to higher energy on the curve. 
C)  Other forms to nuclear energy, because this process proceeds downward, from higher to lower energy on the curve. 
D)  Nuclear energy to other forms, because this process proceeds upward, from lower to higher energy on the curve. 
E)  This is definitely the wrong answer; go back and start over. 
A)  Nuclear energy to other forms, because this process proceeds downward, from higher to lower energy on the curve. 
B)  Other forms to nuclear energy, because this process proceeds upward, from lower to higher energy on the curve. 
C)  Other forms to nuclear energy, because this process proceeds downward, from higher to lower energy on the curve. 
D)  Nuclear energy to other forms, because this process proceeds upward, from lower to higher energy on the curve. 
E)  This is definitely the wrong answer; go back and start over.

Question 11

When we fission the U- 235 nucleus, the total rest- mass of all the resulting fragments of matter

Accepted Answer

A)  is less than the mass of the original nucleus. 
B)  is more than the mass of the original nucleus 
C)  is turned into broccoli. 
D)  is the same as the mass of the original nucleus. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  is less than the mass of the original nucleus. 
B)  is more than the mass of the original nucleus 
C)  is turned into broccoli. 
D)  is the same as the mass of the original nucleus. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 12

The nuclear energy curve shown in the graph above tells us that iron is

Accepted Answer

A)  the most stable nucleus, because the least work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
B)  the most stable nucleus, because the most work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
C)  the least stable nucleus, because the least work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
D)  good to eat. 
E)  the least stable nucleus, because the most work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
A)  the most stable nucleus, because the least work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
B)  the most stable nucleus, because the most work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
C)  the least stable nucleus, because the least work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles. 
D)  good to eat. 
E)  the least stable nucleus, because the most work is needed to pull it apart into separate particles.

Question 13

The sun's energy comes from

Accepted Answer

A)  the fission of helium into hydrogen. 
B)  the fission of uranium. 
C)  the fusion of helium into hydrogen. 
D)  the fusion of hydrogen into helium. 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  the fission of helium into hydrogen. 
B)  the fission of uranium. 
C)  the fusion of helium into hydrogen. 
D)  the fusion of hydrogen into helium. 
E)  None of the above.

Question 14

The fusion of 6 Li and 10 N results in creation of 3 5

Accepted Answer

A)  "16 O and no energy transformed to other forms." 
B)  "16 O and energy transformed to other forms." 
C)  "4 He and energy transformed to other forms." 
D)  "4 He and no energy transformed to other forms." 
E)  "salami and cheese sandwiches." 
A)  "16 O and no energy transformed to other forms." 
B)  "16 O and energy transformed to other forms." 
C)  "4 He and energy transformed to other forms." 
D)  "4 He and no energy transformed to other forms." 
E)  "salami and cheese sandwiches."

Question 15

The bombs used against Japan were

Accepted Answer

A)  a uranium bomb and a plutonium bomb. 
B)  two plutonium bombs. 
C)  two uranium bombs. 
D)  two fusion bombs. 
E)  an fission bomb and a fusion bomb. 
A)  a uranium bomb and a plutonium bomb. 
B)  two plutonium bombs. 
C)  two uranium bombs. 
D)  two fusion bombs. 
E)  an fission bomb and a fusion bomb.

Question 16

Except for hydrogen, helium, and a little lithium, the lower- mass elements (lighter than iron) that are spread throughout the dust of the universe were created

Accepted Answer

A)  in the original creation of the universe. 
B)  during the fusion process that powers the stars, and then released in supernova explosions. 
C)  in Kansas. 
D)  during the shock of a supernova explosion. 
E)  in hot white dwarf stars. 
A)  in the original creation of the universe. 
B)  during the fusion process that powers the stars, and then released in supernova explosions. 
C)  in Kansas. 
D)  during the shock of a supernova explosion. 
E)  in hot white dwarf stars.

Question 17

The astronomical phenomenon that created the elements heavier than iron is

Accepted Answer

A)  neutron stars. 
B)  the collapse of a star to a white dwarf. 
C)  supernova explosions. 
D)  black holes. 
E)  the birth [or formation] of stars. 
A)  neutron stars. 
B)  the collapse of a star to a white dwarf. 
C)  supernova explosions. 
D)  black holes. 
E)  the birth [or formation] of stars.

Question 18

When two 4 He nuclei fuse, the energy transformation is

Accepted Answer

A)  radiant E + thermal E ·nuclear E. 
B)  thermal E + nuclear E ·radiant E. 
C)  nuclear E ·radiant E + thermal E. 
D)  chemical E ·radiant E + thermal E. 
E)  thermal E ·nuclear E + radiant E. 
A)  radiant E + thermal E ·nuclear E. 
B)  thermal E + nuclear E ·radiant E. 
C)  nuclear E ·radiant E + thermal E. 
D)  chemical E ·radiant E + thermal E. 
E)  thermal E ·nuclear E + radiant E.

Question 19

In fission bombs, a certain "critical mass" is needed because

Accepted Answer

A)  the fissionable material will not reach a sufficiently high temperature unless this much material is present. 
B)  too small an amount of uranium will not hold together throughout the reaction, and thus the uranium falls apart and the reaction goes out before it is completed. 
C)  for smaller masses the pressure is so low that neutrons move too slowly through the uranium to sustain a chain reaction. 
D)  if the mass is too small, too many neutrons pass through the uranium and out the sides without hitting a nucleus. 
E)  it is impossible to fission a uranium nucleus unless it is near a large number of other uranium nuclei. 
A)  the fissionable material will not reach a sufficiently high temperature unless this much material is present. 
B)  too small an amount of uranium will not hold together throughout the reaction, and thus the uranium falls apart and the reaction goes out before it is completed. 
C)  for smaller masses the pressure is so low that neutrons move too slowly through the uranium to sustain a chain reaction. 
D)  if the mass is too small, too many neutrons pass through the uranium and out the sides without hitting a nucleus. 
E)  it is impossible to fission a uranium nucleus unless it is near a large number of other uranium nuclei.

Question 20

Has a nuclear device ever been exploded by a terrorist?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, although a terrorist has been arrested who possessed and planned to use a stolen nuclear weapon. 
B)  No, although a terrorist has been arrested who possessed and planned to use a dirty bomb. 
C)  No, in fact there are no known instances of terrorists even possessing a nuclear device. 
D)  Yes, a small dirty bomb was exploded during the Iraq War. 
E)  Yes, terrorists have entered a nuclear power plant in Pakistan and dispersed radioactive materials. 
A)  No, although a terrorist has been arrested who possessed and planned to use a stolen nuclear weapon. 
B)  No, although a terrorist has been arrested who possessed and planned to use a dirty bomb. 
C)  No, in fact there are no known instances of terrorists even possessing a nuclear device. 
D)  Yes, a small dirty bomb was exploded during the Iraq War. 
E)  Yes, terrorists have entered a nuclear power plant in Pakistan and dispersed radioactive materials.

The A- bomb is based on

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Hydrogen must be raised to a high temperature before it will fuse. This is because

The term "dirty bomb" refers to

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Which of the following works best for fissioning a uranium nucleus?

Which of the following works best for fusing hydrogen?

The two most plentiful elements in the universe are

Centrifuge separation, a method of separating ²³⁵U from ²³⁸U, works because of

Suppose that you fission a sulfur nucleus, ³²S, into two fragments. Referring to the graph above, does this process convert nuclear energy to other forms, or is it vice versa?

When we fission the U- 235 nucleus, the total rest- mass of all the resulting fragments of matter

The nuclear energy curve shown in the graph above tells us that iron is

The sun's energy comes from

The fusion of ⁶Li and ¹⁰N results in creation of 3 5

The bombs used against Japan were

Except for hydrogen, helium, and a little lithium, the lower- mass elements (lighter than iron) that are spread throughout the dust of the universe were created

The astronomical phenomenon that created the elements heavier than iron is

When two ⁴He nuclei fuse, the energy transformation is

In fission bombs, a certain "critical mass" is needed because

Has a nuclear device ever been exploded by a terrorist?

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters

Exam 15: Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The A- bomb is based on

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Hydrogen must be raised to a high temperature before it will fuse. This is because

The term "dirty bomb" refers to

The four plausible routes by which terrorists might use nuclear devices include

Which of the following works best for fissioning a uranium nucleus?

Which of the following works best for fusing hydrogen?

The two most plentiful elements in the universe are

Centrifuge separation, a method of separating 235U from 238U, works because of

Suppose that you fission a sulfur nucleus, 32 S, into two fragments. Referring to the graph above, does this process convert nuclear energy to other forms, or is it vice versa?

When we fission the U- 235 nucleus, the total rest- mass of all the resulting fragments of matter

The nuclear energy curve shown in the graph above tells us that iron is

The sun's energy comes from

The fusion of 6 Li and 10 N results in creation of 3 5

The bombs used against Japan were

Except for hydrogen, helium, and a little lithium, the lower- mass elements (lighter than iron) that are spread throughout the dust of the universe were created

The astronomical phenomenon that created the elements heavier than iron is

When two 4 He nuclei fuse, the energy transformation is

In fission bombs, a certain "critical mass" is needed because

Has a nuclear device ever been exploded by a terrorist?

The Way of Science: Experience and Reason

Atoms: the Nature of Things

How Things Move: Galileo Asks the Right Questions

Why Things Move As They Do

Newtons Universe

Conservation of Energy: You Cant Get Ahead

Second Law of Thermodynamics: and You Cant Even Break Even

Light and Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism Radiation and Global Climate Change

The Special Theory of Relativity

The General Theory of Relativity and the New Cosmology

The Quantum Idea

The Quantum Universe

The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters

Centrifuge separation, a method of separating ²³⁵U from ²³⁸U, works because of

Suppose that you fission a sulfur nucleus, ³²S, into two fragments. Referring to the graph above, does this process convert nuclear energy to other forms, or is it vice versa?

The fusion of ⁶Li and ¹⁰N results in creation of 3 5

When two ⁴He nuclei fuse, the energy transformation is