Question 1

Which one of the following particles is not a baryon?

Accepted Answer

A) proton 
B) neutron 
C) pion 
D) sigma particle 
E) lambda particle 
A) proton 
B) neutron 
C) pion 
D) sigma particle 
E) lambda particle C

Question 2

Which one of the following statements concerning pions is true?

Accepted Answer

A) They are stable particles. 
B) They belong to the lepton family. 
C) They are composed of three quarks. 
D) They only exist in two charge states. 
E) They interact with protons via the strong interaction. 
A) They are stable particles. 
B) They belong to the lepton family. 
C) They are composed of three quarks. 
D) They only exist in two charge states. 
E) They interact with protons via the strong interaction. E

Question 3

A physicist wishes to measure the exposure of a beam of gamma rays.The beam is passed through 2.00 × 10-2 kg of dry air at STP.The beam produces positive ions in the air which have a total charge of 3.87 × 10-6 C.What is the exposure (in roentgens) of the beam?

Accepted Answer

A) 7.74 × 10-8 R 
B) 1.94 × 10-4 R 
C) 3.25 × 10-2 R 
D) 0.750 R 
E) 1.25 R 
A) 7.74 × 10-8 R 
B) 1.94 × 10-4 R 
C) 3.25 × 10-2 R 
D) 0.750 R 
E) 1.25 R D

Question 4

The first induced nuclear reaction,   , in a laboratory was studied by Rutherford in 1919.How much energy is absorbed in this reaction if the atomic masses are:   = 14.003 074 u,   = 16.999 133 u, $\alpha$ = 4.002 603 u, and p = 1.007 825 u? Note: 1 u = 931.5 MeV.

Accepted Answer

A) 1.193 MeV 
B) 3.338 MeV 
C) 6.603 MeV 
D) 15.08 MeV 
E) 27.91 MeV 
A) 1.193 MeV 
B) 3.338 MeV 
C) 6.603 MeV 
D) 15.08 MeV 
E) 27.91 MeV

Question 5

Which one of the following statements is the best explanation as to why nuclear fusion is not at present used to generate electric power?

Accepted Answer

A) Fusion produces too much radiation. 
B) Fusion requires isotopes that are scarce. 
C) Fusion processes can result in nuclear explosions. 
D) Fusion results in large amounts of radioactive waste. 
E) Fusion requires very high temperatures that are difficult to contain. 
A) Fusion produces too much radiation. 
B) Fusion requires isotopes that are scarce. 
C) Fusion processes can result in nuclear explosions. 
D) Fusion results in large amounts of radioactive waste. 
E) Fusion requires very high temperatures that are difficult to contain.

Question 6

A beam of 4.5-MeV neutrons is directed at a 0.030-kg tissue sample.Each second, 1.5 × 106 neutrons strike the sample.If the relative biological effectiveness of these neutrons is 7.0, what biologically equivalent dose (in rem) is received by the sample in 65 seconds?

Accepted Answer

A) 0.23 rem 
B) 0.55 rem 
C) 1.6 rem 
D) 19 rem 
E) 33 rem 
A) 0.23 rem 
B) 0.55 rem 
C) 1.6 rem 
D) 19 rem 
E) 33 rem

Question 7

Which one of the following particles is not a member of the hadron family?

Accepted Answer

A) pion 
B) neutron 
C) muon 
D) kaon 
E) proton 
A) pion 
B) neutron 
C) muon 
D) kaon 
E) proton

Question 8

Determine the atomic number Z and the nucleon number A in the following reaction:   .

Accepted Answer

A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)    
A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)

Question 9

Which one of the following statements concerning the standard cosmological model is false?

Accepted Answer

A) Shortly after the Big Bang, all of the fundamental forces behaved as a single force. 
B) About 0.5 million years after the Big Bang, hydrogen and helium atoms began to form. 
C) The first distinguishable particles in existence after the Big Bang were quarks and leptons. 
D) The Grand Unified Theory describes the universe immediately before and shortly after the Big Bang. 
E) At 10-43 s after the Big Bang, the gravitational force was distinguishable from the other fundamental forces. 
A) Shortly after the Big Bang, all of the fundamental forces behaved as a single force. 
B) About 0.5 million years after the Big Bang, hydrogen and helium atoms began to form. 
C) The first distinguishable particles in existence after the Big Bang were quarks and leptons. 
D) The Grand Unified Theory describes the universe immediately before and shortly after the Big Bang. 
E) At 10-43 s after the Big Bang, the gravitational force was distinguishable from the other fundamental forces.

Question 10

A 75-kg worker is accidentally exposed to a 44-rad dose of gamma radiation.How much energy does the worker absorb?

Accepted Answer

A) 25 J 
B) 17 J 
C) 74 J 
D) 59 J 
E) 33 J 
A) 25 J 
B) 17 J 
C) 74 J 
D) 59 J 
E) 33 J

Question 11

What is the function of the moderator in a fission reactor?

Accepted Answer

A) The moderator absorbs gamma rays. 
B) The moderator absorbs slow neutrons. 
C) The moderator decreases the speeds of fast neutrons. 
D) The moderator prevents heat loss from the reactor core. 
E) The moderator prevents the reactor from reaching a critical state. 
A) The moderator absorbs gamma rays. 
B) The moderator absorbs slow neutrons. 
C) The moderator decreases the speeds of fast neutrons. 
D) The moderator prevents heat loss from the reactor core. 
E) The moderator prevents the reactor from reaching a critical state.

Question 12

Which source of radiation contributes most to the average biological equivalent dose received by a United States resident?

Accepted Answer

A) radon gas 
B) cosmic rays 
C) consumer products 
D) medical diagnostics 
E) internal radioactive nuclei 
A) radon gas 
B) cosmic rays 
C) consumer products 
D) medical diagnostics 
E) internal radioactive nuclei

Question 13

A single, whole-body dose of 450 rem is considered a lethal dose for approximately fifty percent of all individuals receiving such a dose.If a 62-kg person were exposed to such a dose of radiation that has an RBE of 0.845, how much energy has the person absorbed?

Accepted Answer

A) 480 J 
B) 5.3 J 
C) 75 J 
D) 120 J 
E) 330 J 
A) 480 J 
B) 5.3 J 
C) 75 J 
D) 120 J 
E) 330 J

Question 14

Which one of the following statements is true concerning the reaction   where   has a mass of 2.014 u;   has a mass of 4.003 u;   has a mass of 6.015 u; and 1 u = 931.5 MeV?

Accepted Answer

A) The reaction releases 14 MeV. 
B) The reaction releases 21 MeV. 
C) The reaction releases 36 MeV. 
D) The reaction requires 14 MeV to occur. 
E) The reaction requires 21 MeV to occur. 
A) The reaction releases 14 MeV. 
B) The reaction releases 21 MeV. 
C) The reaction releases 36 MeV. 
D) The reaction requires 14 MeV to occur. 
E) The reaction requires 21 MeV to occur.

Question 15

Which one of the following statements about the standard model is false?

Accepted Answer

A) The weak nuclear force and the electromagnetic force are manifestations of a more fundamental interaction called the electroweak interaction. 
B) The strong nuclear force between quarks is described in terms of the concept of color. 
C) The standard model provides an explanation for the strong nuclear and weak nuclear forces. 
D) The gravitational force and the strong nuclear force are manifestations of a more fundamental interaction called the quark interaction. 
E) Nucleons are composed of quarks. 
A) The weak nuclear force and the electromagnetic force are manifestations of a more fundamental interaction called the electroweak interaction. 
B) The strong nuclear force between quarks is described in terms of the concept of color. 
C) The standard model provides an explanation for the strong nuclear and weak nuclear forces. 
D) The gravitational force and the strong nuclear force are manifestations of a more fundamental interaction called the quark interaction. 
E) Nucleons are composed of quarks.

Question 16

Consider the nuclear reaction   and the masses:   = 235.0439 u;   = 93.9063 u; n = 1.008 67 u.If 208.66 MeV of energy is released in this reaction, determine the mass of X.

Accepted Answer

A) 38.970 u 
B) 39.962 u 
C) 40.962 u 
D) 84.589 u 
E) 139.905 u 
A) 38.970 u 
B) 39.962 u 
C) 40.962 u 
D) 84.589 u 
E) 139.905 u

Question 17

Which one of the following energy values would be characteristic of a thermal neutron?

Accepted Answer

A) 0.03 eV 
B) 0.4 eV 
C) 3 eV 
D) 100 eV 
E) 0.04 MeV 
A) 0.03 eV 
B) 0.4 eV 
C) 3 eV 
D) 100 eV 
E) 0.04 MeV

Question 18

How many neutrons are produced in the following reaction:

Accepted Answer

A) 11 
B) 12 
C) 22 
D) 24 
E) 48 
A) 11 
B) 12 
C) 22 
D) 24 
E) 48

Question 19

What is the importance of thermal neutrons in nuclear processes?

Accepted Answer

A) Thermal neutron capture results in uranium fission. 
B) Thermal neutrons are released in radioactive decay. 
C) Thermal neutrons are necessary in the fusion of deuterium. 
D) Thermal neutrons are commonly released in fusion reactions. 
E) Thermal neutrons are sources of gamma rays. 
A) Thermal neutron capture results in uranium fission. 
B) Thermal neutrons are released in radioactive decay. 
C) Thermal neutrons are necessary in the fusion of deuterium. 
D) Thermal neutrons are commonly released in fusion reactions. 
E) Thermal neutrons are sources of gamma rays.

Question 20

What radiation absorbed dose of slow neutrons (RBE = 2.5) is equivalent to a dose of 35.0 rad of fast neutrons (RBE = 9.0)?

Accepted Answer

A) 9.7 rad 
B) 130 rad 
C) 160 rad 
D) 260 rad 
E) 320 rad 
A) 9.7 rad 
B) 130 rad 
C) 160 rad 
D) 260 rad 
E) 320 rad

Exam 32: Ionizing Radiation, Nuclear Energy, and Elementary Particles

Which one of the following particles is not a baryon?

Which one of the following statements concerning pions is true?

A physicist wishes to measure the exposure of a beam of gamma rays.The beam is passed through 2.00 × 10-2 kg of dry air at STP.The beam produces positive ions in the air which have a total charge of 3.87 × 10-6 C.What is the exposure (in roentgens) of the beam?

The first induced nuclear reaction, , in a laboratory was studied by Rutherford in 1919.How much energy is absorbed in this reaction if the atomic masses are: = 14.003 074 u, = 16.999 133 u, α\alphaα = 4.002 603 u, and p = 1.007 825 u? Note: 1 u = 931.5 MeV.

Which one of the following statements is the best explanation as to why nuclear fusion is not at present used to generate electric power?

A beam of 4.5-MeV neutrons is directed at a 0.030-kg tissue sample.Each second, 1.5 × 106 neutrons strike the sample.If the relative biological effectiveness of these neutrons is 7.0, what biologically equivalent dose (in rem) is received by the sample in 65 seconds?

Which one of the following particles is not a member of the hadron family?

Determine the atomic number Z and the nucleon number A in the following reaction: .

Which one of the following statements concerning the standard cosmological model is false?

A 75-kg worker is accidentally exposed to a 44-rad dose of gamma radiation.How much energy does the worker absorb?

What is the function of the moderator in a fission reactor?

Which source of radiation contributes most to the average biological equivalent dose received by a United States resident?

A single, whole-body dose of 450 rem is considered a lethal dose for approximately fifty percent of all individuals receiving such a dose.If a 62-kg person were exposed to such a dose of radiation that has an RBE of 0.845, how much energy has the person absorbed?

Which one of the following statements is true concerning the reaction where has a mass of 2.014 u; has a mass of 4.003 u; has a mass of 6.015 u; and 1 u = 931.5 MeV?

Which one of the following statements about the standard model is false?

Consider the nuclear reaction and the masses: = 235.0439 u; = 93.9063 u; n = 1.008 67 u.If 208.66 MeV of energy is released in this reaction, determine the mass of X.

Which one of the following energy values would be characteristic of a thermal neutron?

How many neutrons are produced in the following reaction:

What is the importance of thermal neutrons in nuclear processes?

What radiation absorbed dose of slow neutrons (RBE = 2.5) is equivalent to a dose of 35.0 rad of fast neutrons (RBE = 9.0)?

Introduction and Mathematical Concepts

Kinematics in One Dimension

Kinematics in Two Dimensions

Forces and Newtons Laws of Motion

Dynamics of Uniform Circular Motion

Work and Energy

Impulse and Momentum

Rotational Kinematics

Rotational Dynamics

Simple Harmonic Motion and Elasticity

Fluids

Temperature and Heat

The Transfer of Heat

The Ideal Gas Law and Kinetic Theory

Thermodynamics

Waves and Sound

The Principle of Linear Superposition and Interference Phenomena

Electric Forces and Electric Fields

Electric Potential Energy and the Electric Potential

Electric Circuits

Magnetic Forces and Magnetic Fields

Electromagnetic Induction

Alternating Current Circuits

Electromagnetic Waves

The Reflection of Light: Mirrors

The Refraction of Light: Lenses and Optical Instruments

Interference and the Wave Nature of Light

Special Relativity

Particles and Waves

The Nature of the Atom

Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity

Filters

A physicist wishes to measure the exposure of a beam of gamma rays.The beam is passed through 2.00× 10^-²kg of dry air at STP.The beam produces positive ions in the air which have a total charge of 3.87 × 10^-⁶C.What is the exposure (in roentgens) of the beam?

A beam of 4.5-MeV neutrons is directed at a 0.030-kg tissue sample.Each second, 1.5 × 10⁶ neutrons strike the sample.If the relative biological effectiveness of these neutrons is 7.0, what biologically equivalent dose (in rem) is received by the sample in 65 seconds?