Question 1

The radioactive isotope 14 C beta- decays to the daughter nucleus

Accepted Answer

A)  "13 C." 
B)  "13 N." 
C)  "15 C." 
D)  "14 N." 
E)  "None of the above." 
A)  "13 C." 
B)  "13 N." 
C)  "15 C." 
D)  "14 N." 
E)  "None of the above." D

Question 2

Reasoning from the fact that the nucleus is very small, we can conclude that the nuclear force must

Accepted Answer

A)  be attractive and very strong. 
B)  have a very long range. 
C)  operate only between neutrons, and not between protons. 
D)  have a very short range. 
E)  be repulsive and very strong. 
A)  be attractive and very strong. 
B)  have a very long range. 
C)  operate only between neutrons, and not between protons. 
D)  have a very short range. 
E)  be repulsive and very strong. D

Question 3

In a nuclear accident such as occurred at Chernobyl, the long- term biological damage is caused by

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fission occurring within the biological cells. 
B)  alpha, beta, and gamma particles passing through biological cells. 
C)  the thermal energy produced by radioactive decay within biological cells. 
D)  the high energy vibrations of the water molecule that are caused by radioactive isotopes. 
E)  nuclear fusion occurring within the biological cells. 
A)  nuclear fission occurring within the biological cells. 
B)  alpha, beta, and gamma particles passing through biological cells. 
C)  the thermal energy produced by radioactive decay within biological cells. 
D)  the high energy vibrations of the water molecule that are caused by radioactive isotopes. 
E)  nuclear fusion occurring within the biological cells. B

Question 4

The half- life of a radioactive isotope is

Accepted Answer

A)  the time required for a nucleus of that isotope to partially decay. 
B)  half the time required for a nucleus of that isotope to decay. 
C)  half the time that it takes for a radioactive isotope to eat a large pizza. 
D)  the time required for the decay of half of a large sample of nuclei of that isotope. 
E)  half the time required for the decay of a large sample of nuclei of that isotope. 
A)  the time required for a nucleus of that isotope to partially decay. 
B)  half the time required for a nucleus of that isotope to decay. 
C)  half the time that it takes for a radioactive isotope to eat a large pizza. 
D)  the time required for the decay of half of a large sample of nuclei of that isotope. 
E)  half the time required for the decay of a large sample of nuclei of that isotope.

Question 5

In what way or ways do 3H and 3He differ from each other?

Accepted Answer

A)  They have different numbers of neutrons. 
B)  They have different numbers of protons. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  They have different mass numbers. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  They have different numbers of neutrons. 
B)  They have different numbers of protons. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  They have different mass numbers. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 6

The carbon in a certain ancient ax- handle is only 1/8-- one- eighth-- as radioactive as the carbon in living wood. The half- life of 14C is 6000 years. From these facts we can conclude that

Accepted Answer

A)  the ax- handle is about 48,000 years old. 
B)  the ax- handle is about 12,000 years old. 
C)  the ax- handle was made from an unusual type of wood that was less radioactive than normal wood. 
D)  the ax- handle is about 18,000 years old. 
E)  the natural carbon- radioactivity at the time the ax- handle was made was only one- eighth of what it is today. 
A)  the ax- handle is about 48,000 years old. 
B)  the ax- handle is about 12,000 years old. 
C)  the ax- handle was made from an unusual type of wood that was less radioactive than normal wood. 
D)  the ax- handle is about 18,000 years old. 
E)  the natural carbon- radioactivity at the time the ax- handle was made was only one- eighth of what it is today.

Question 7

Which of the following is classified as "ionizing radiation"?

Accepted Answer

A)  alpha and beta radiation 
B)  gamma rays 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  X-rays 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  alpha and beta radiation 
B)  gamma rays 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  X-rays 
E)  All of the above.

Question 8

Compared to natural background radiation, the amount of radiation received by U.S. citizens from normally operating nuclear power plants is

Accepted Answer

A)  very much less. 
B)  considerably more. 
C)  roughly the same amount. 
D)  absolutely zero. 
E)  about 10% as much. 
A)  very much less. 
B)  considerably more. 
C)  roughly the same amount. 
D)  absolutely zero. 
E)  about 10% as much.

Question 9

The distinction between an "element" and an "isotope" is

Accepted Answer

A)  an element has a specific number of neutrons; an isotope has a specific number of both protons and neutrons. 
B)  an element has a specific number of protons; an isotope has a specific number of neutrons. 
C)  an element has a specific number of protons; an isotope has a specific number of both protons and neutrons. 
D)  an element has a specific number of both protons and neutrons; an isotope has a specific number of protons. 
E)  these two words have the same meaning, but "element" is used by chemists while "isotope" is used by physicists. 
A)  an element has a specific number of neutrons; an isotope has a specific number of both protons and neutrons. 
B)  an element has a specific number of protons; an isotope has a specific number of neutrons. 
C)  an element has a specific number of protons; an isotope has a specific number of both protons and neutrons. 
D)  an element has a specific number of both protons and neutrons; an isotope has a specific number of protons. 
E)  these two words have the same meaning, but "element" is used by chemists while "isotope" is used by physicists.

Question 10

In every nuclear reaction,

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear structure is altered. 
B)  molecules combine with other molecules. 
C)  electrons combine with each other. 
D)  a nucleus is split. 
E)  nuclei are brought together and permanently combined with other nuclei. 
A)  nuclear structure is altered. 
B)  molecules combine with other molecules. 
C)  electrons combine with each other. 
D)  a nucleus is split. 
E)  nuclei are brought together and permanently combined with other nuclei.

Question 11

Mutations are

Accepted Answer

A)  important in the operation of evolution. 
B)  sometimes caused by radioactivity. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  None of the above. 
E)  mostly caused by eating pizza. 
A)  important in the operation of evolution. 
B)  sometimes caused by radioactivity. 
C)  Both of the above. 
D)  None of the above. 
E)  mostly caused by eating pizza.

Question 12

What heats the water in a naturally heated hot spring?

Accepted Answer

A)  radioactivity in the Earth 
B)  gamma radiation from the sun 
C)  nuclear fission within the Earth 
D)  nuclear fusion within the Earth 
E)  the high pressures existing within the Earth 
A)  radioactivity in the Earth 
B)  gamma radiation from the sun 
C)  nuclear fission within the Earth 
D)  nuclear fusion within the Earth 
E)  the high pressures existing within the Earth

Question 13

Which of the following is the strongest fundamental force acting between microscopic particles?

Accepted Answer

A)  weak force 
B)  gravity 
C)  electromagnetic force 
D)  strong force 
E)  Elmer's glue 
A)  weak force 
B)  gravity 
C)  electromagnetic force 
D)  strong force 
E)  Elmer's glue

Question 14

How many protons and how many neutrons are in the 56 Fe nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  26 protons and 30 neutrons 
B)  30 protons and 26 neutrons 
C)  26 protons and 56 neutrons 
D)  56 protons and 26 neutrons 
E)  None of the above. 
A)  26 protons and 30 neutrons 
B)  30 protons and 26 neutrons 
C)  26 protons and 56 neutrons 
D)  56 protons and 26 neutrons 
E)  None of the above.

Question 15

It takes 6400 years for one gram of radium to decay away to only 1/16-one- sixteenth-of a gram. The half- life of radium is

Accepted Answer

A)  not possible to determine from this information. 
B)  800 years. 
C)  400 years. 
D)  3200 years. 
E)  1600 years. 
A)  not possible to determine from this information. 
B)  800 years. 
C)  400 years. 
D)  3200 years. 
E)  1600 years.

Question 16

Among the following items, the largest single source of radiation in the environment is

Accepted Answer

A)  fallout. 
B)  cosmic rays. 
C)  medical diagnosis. 
D)  radon. 
E)  nuclear power plants. 
A)  fallout. 
B)  cosmic rays. 
C)  medical diagnosis. 
D)  radon. 
E)  nuclear power plants.

Question 17

The radioactive isotope 3H is a beta- emitter. When it decays, the result is

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

How do the mass and charge of a 14C nucleus compare with the mass and charge of a 12C nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both the mass and charge of 14C are one- sixth larger. 
B)  The mass of 14C is one- sixth larger, while the charge is the same. 
C)  The mass is the same, while the charge of 14C is one- sixth larger. 
D)  The mass of 14C is 50% larger, while the charge is the same. 
E)  Both the mass and the charge of 14C are the same as those of 12C. 
A)  Both the mass and charge of 14C are one- sixth larger. 
B)  The mass of 14C is one- sixth larger, while the charge is the same. 
C)  The mass is the same, while the charge of 14C is one- sixth larger. 
D)  The mass of 14C is 50% larger, while the charge is the same. 
E)  Both the mass and the charge of 14C are the same as those of 12C.

Question 19

Can an element decay "forward" in the periodic table, to a higher atomic number?

Accepted Answer

A)  No, in fact elements cannot alter their atomic number by radioactive decay. 
B)  No, but an element can decay to a lower atomic number. 
C)  Yes, by beta decay. 
D)  Yes, by alpha decay. 
E)  Yes, this can occur by means of both beta decay and alpha decay. 
A)  No, in fact elements cannot alter their atomic number by radioactive decay. 
B)  No, but an element can decay to a lower atomic number. 
C)  Yes, by beta decay. 
D)  Yes, by alpha decay. 
E)  Yes, this can occur by means of both beta decay and alpha decay.

Question 20

The scientific consensus regarding the age of Earth is that

Accepted Answer

A)  there is insufficient data to determine Earth's age. 
B)  Earth is about 5 thousand years old. 
C)  Earth is about 5 million years old. 
D)  Earth is about 5 billion years old. 
E)  Earth is about 100 billion years old. 
A)  there is insufficient data to determine Earth's age. 
B)  Earth is about 5 thousand years old. 
C)  Earth is about 5 million years old. 
D)  Earth is about 5 billion years old. 
E)  Earth is about 100 billion years old.

The radioactive isotope ¹⁴C beta- decays to the daughter nucleus

Reasoning from the fact that the nucleus is very small, we can conclude that the nuclear force must

In a nuclear accident such as occurred at Chernobyl, the long- term biological damage is caused by

The half- life of a radioactive isotope is

In what way or ways do ³H and ³He differ from each other?

The carbon in a certain ancient ax- handle is only 1/8-- one- eighth-- as radioactive as the carbon in living wood. The half- life of ¹⁴C is 6000 years. From these facts we can conclude that

Which of the following is classified as "ionizing radiation"?

Compared to natural background radiation, the amount of radiation received by U.S. citizens from normally operating nuclear power plants is

The distinction between an "element" and an "isotope" is

In every nuclear reaction,

Mutations are

What heats the water in a naturally heated hot spring?

Which of the following is the strongest fundamental force acting between microscopic particles?

How many protons and how many neutrons are in the ⁵⁶Fe nucleus?

It takes 6400 years for one gram of radium to decay away to only 1/16-one- sixteenth-of a gram. The half- life of radium is

Among the following items, the largest single source of radiation in the environment is

The radioactive isotope ³H is a beta- emitter. When it decays, the result is

How do the mass and charge of a ¹⁴C nucleus compare with the mass and charge of a ¹²C nucleus?

Can an element decay "forward" in the periodic table, to a higher atomic number?

The scientific consensus regarding the age of Earth is that

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

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

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Exam 14: The Nucleus and Radioactivity: an New Force

The radioactive isotope 14 C beta- decays to the daughter nucleus

Reasoning from the fact that the nucleus is very small, we can conclude that the nuclear force must

In a nuclear accident such as occurred at Chernobyl, the long- term biological damage is caused by

The half- life of a radioactive isotope is

In what way or ways do 3H and 3He differ from each other?

The carbon in a certain ancient ax- handle is only 1/8-- one- eighth-- as radioactive as the carbon in living wood. The half- life of 14C is 6000 years. From these facts we can conclude that

Which of the following is classified as "ionizing radiation"?

Compared to natural background radiation, the amount of radiation received by U.S. citizens from normally operating nuclear power plants is

The distinction between an "element" and an "isotope" is

In every nuclear reaction,

Mutations are

What heats the water in a naturally heated hot spring?

Which of the following is the strongest fundamental force acting between microscopic particles?

How many protons and how many neutrons are in the 56 Fe nucleus?

It takes 6400 years for one gram of radium to decay away to only 1/16-one- sixteenth-of a gram. The half- life of radium is

Among the following items, the largest single source of radiation in the environment is

The radioactive isotope 3H is a beta- emitter. When it decays, the result is

How do the mass and charge of a 14C nucleus compare with the mass and charge of a 12C nucleus?

Can an element decay "forward" in the periodic table, to a higher atomic number?

The scientific consensus regarding the age of Earth is that

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

Fusion and Fission: and a New Energy

The Energy Challenge

Quantum Fields: Relativity Meets the Quantum

Filters

The radioactive isotope ¹⁴C beta- decays to the daughter nucleus

In what way or ways do ³H and ³He differ from each other?

The carbon in a certain ancient ax- handle is only 1/8-- one- eighth-- as radioactive as the carbon in living wood. The half- life of ¹⁴C is 6000 years. From these facts we can conclude that

How many protons and how many neutrons are in the ⁵⁶Fe nucleus?

The radioactive isotope ³H is a beta- emitter. When it decays, the result is

How do the mass and charge of a ¹⁴C nucleus compare with the mass and charge of a ¹²C nucleus?