Question 1

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 B

Question 2

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor?   U →   Th +   He + 3 neutrons

Accepted Answer

A)  The material only produces a few neutrons so the chain reaction will not be very efficient. 
B)  The reactants are too small to obtain much energy from the missing mass due to the strong nuclear force. 
C)  The products are not the right size to obtain much energy from missing mass due to strong nuclear force. 
D)  The mass of the byproducts is too high and therefore the energy released will not be large enough. 
E)  Interatomic attraction between the products will impede the separation of the atoms from the unstable nuclei. 
A)  The material only produces a few neutrons so the chain reaction will not be very efficient. 
B)  The reactants are too small to obtain much energy from the missing mass due to the strong nuclear force. 
C)  The products are not the right size to obtain much energy from missing mass due to strong nuclear force. 
D)  The mass of the byproducts is too high and therefore the energy released will not be large enough. 
E)  Interatomic attraction between the products will impede the separation of the atoms from the unstable nuclei. C

Question 3

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. A

Question 4

Which of the beams is due to alpha particles?

Accepted Answer

A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above 
A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above

Question 5

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 6

Which type of radiation-alpha, beta, or gamma-results in the greatest change in atomic mass 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 7

Why is the carbon-14 dating not accurate for estimating the age of materials more than 50,000 years old?

Accepted Answer

A)  This form of radioactive dating is only accurate back 1,400 years. 
B)  The concentration of carbon-14 in a body after 50,000 years is too low. 
C)  Living organisms are too decomposed after 50,000 years. 
D)  Actually, carbon-14 dating is accurate back to around 5 million years ago. 
A)  This form of radioactive dating is only accurate back 1,400 years. 
B)  The concentration of carbon-14 in a body after 50,000 years is too low. 
C)  Living organisms are too decomposed after 50,000 years. 
D)  Actually, carbon-14 dating is accurate back to around 5 million years ago.

Question 8

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 9

If an atom has 104 electrons, 157 neutrons, and 104 protons, what is its approximate atomic mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  The approximate atomic mass is 365. 
B)  The approximate atomic mass is 261. 
C)  The approximate atomic mass is 157. 
D)  The approximate atomic mass is cannot be determined with the information given. 
A)  The approximate atomic mass is 365. 
B)  The approximate atomic mass is 261. 
C)  The approximate atomic mass is 157. 
D)  The approximate atomic mass is cannot be determined with the information given.

Question 10

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 11

Which of the following is a major disadvantage of nuclear-fission-based power plants?

Accepted Answer

A)  The reactors can be used to produce their own fuel. 
B)  The byproducts of the fission process are radioactive and have very long half-lives. 
C)  The amount of energy per kilogram of fuel is greater than any other fuel source. 
D)  The power plants are complex and there are many safety requirements to prevent contamination of the environment. 
E)  B and D 
A)  The reactors can be used to produce their own fuel. 
B)  The byproducts of the fission process are radioactive and have very long half-lives. 
C)  The amount of energy per kilogram of fuel is greater than any other fuel source. 
D)  The power plants are complex and there are many safety requirements to prevent contamination of the environment. 
E)  B and D

Question 12

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

Accepted Answer

A)  Run away as fast as you can! 
B)  The Geiger counter is emitting radiation. 
C)  The Geiger counter is detecting naturally occurring radiation from your body. 
D)  Wear heavy clothes. 
A)  Run away as fast as you can! 
B)  The Geiger counter is emitting radiation. 
C)  The Geiger counter is detecting naturally occurring radiation from your body. 
D)  Wear heavy clothes.

Question 13

When   Po emits a beta particle, it transforms into a new element. What are the atomic number and atomic mass of this new element?

Accepted Answer

A)  atomic number = 84; atomic mass = 219 
B)  atomic number = 86; atomic mass = 214 
C)  atomic number = 85; atomic mass = 218 
D)  atomic number = 82; atomic mass = 214 
A)  atomic number = 84; atomic mass = 219 
B)  atomic number = 86; atomic mass = 214 
C)  atomic number = 85; atomic mass = 218 
D)  atomic number = 82; atomic mass = 214

Question 14

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

Accepted Answer

A)  The half-life of an isotope is constant. 
B)  The amount of radioactive form depends on the amount of radiation in the surroundings. 
C)  The ratio between the radioactive form and the stable form depends on the archaeological record. 
D)  The ratio between the radioactive form and stable form varies regularly with time. 
E)  both C and D 
A)  The half-life of an isotope is constant. 
B)  The amount of radioactive form depends on the amount of radiation in the surroundings. 
C)  The ratio between the radioactive form and the stable form depends on the archaeological record. 
D)  The ratio between the radioactive form and stable form varies regularly with time. 
E)  both C and D

Question 15

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 16

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? alpha

Accepted Answer

A)  lead suit 
B)  suntan lotion 
C)  thick leather 
D)  T-shirt 
E)  none of the above 
A)  lead suit 
B)  suntan lotion 
C)  thick leather 
D)  T-shirt 
E)  none of the above

Question 17

The original reactor built in 1942 was just "barely" critical because the natural uranium that was used contained less than 1% of the fissionable isotope U-235 (half life 713 million years). What if, in 1942, the Earth had been 9 billion years old instead of 4.5 billion years old? Would this reactor have reached critical stage with natural uranium? Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. The age of the Earth has nothing to do with the reactor reaching critical stage with U-235. 
B)  No. 1% of the fissionable isotope U-235 is insufficient for the reactor to reach critical stage no matter what the age of the Earth. 
C)  Yes. If the Earth had been twice as old there would have then been twice as much fissionable U-235 present and the reactor would have reached critical stage. 
D)  No. The increased age of the Earth would mean that there would be a much smaller percentage of U-235, thus not enough for the reactor to reach critical stage. 
A)  No. The age of the Earth has nothing to do with the reactor reaching critical stage with U-235. 
B)  No. 1% of the fissionable isotope U-235 is insufficient for the reactor to reach critical stage no matter what the age of the Earth. 
C)  Yes. If the Earth had been twice as old there would have then been twice as much fissionable U-235 present and the reactor would have reached critical stage. 
D)  No. The increased age of the Earth would mean that there would be a much smaller percentage of U-235, thus not enough for the reactor to reach critical stage.

Question 18

The age of the Dead Sea Scrolls was found by carbon-14 dating. Could this technique have worked if they were carved in stone tablets? Explain.

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes, because there are appreciable levels of carbon even in stone. 
B)  No, this method of dating requires a material that was once living. 
C)  Yes, because X-ray images could be collected instead. 
D)  No, the stones in the arid environment of the Dead Sea would have lost all of their carbon-14 by now. 
A)  Yes, because there are appreciable levels of carbon even in stone. 
B)  No, this method of dating requires a material that was once living. 
C)  Yes, because X-ray images could be collected instead. 
D)  No, the stones in the arid environment of the Dead Sea would have lost all of their carbon-14 by now.

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

Which of the beams is due to a positively charged helium nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above 
A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above

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 .

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor? U → Th + He + 3 neutrons

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

Which of the beams is due to alpha particles?

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

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

Why is the carbon-14 dating not accurate for estimating the age of materials more than 50,000 years old?

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?

If an atom has 104 electrons, 157 neutrons, and 104 protons, what is its approximate atomic mass?

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

Which of the following is a major disadvantage of nuclear-fission-based power plants?

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

When Po emits a beta particle, it transforms into a new element. What are the atomic number and atomic mass of this new element?

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

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 provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? alpha

The age of the Dead Sea Scrolls was found by carbon-14 dating. Could this technique have worked if they were carved in stone tablets? Explain.

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?

Which of the beams is due to a positively charged helium nucleus?

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Subatomic Particles

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How Molecules Mix

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How Chemicals React

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

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 .

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor? U → Th + He + 3 neutrons

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

Which of the beams is due to alpha particles?

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

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

Why is the carbon-14 dating not accurate for estimating the age of materials more than 50,000 years old?

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?

If an atom has 104 electrons, 157 neutrons, and 104 protons, what is its approximate atomic mass?

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

Which of the following is a major disadvantage of nuclear-fission-based power plants?

A friend produces a Geiger counter to check the local background radiation. It ticks. Another friend, who normally fears most that which is understood least, makes an effort to keep away from the region of the Geiger counter and looks to you for advice. What do you say?

When Po emits a beta particle, it transforms into a new element. What are the atomic number and atomic mass of this new element?

How can a half-life be used to tell the age of a sample?

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 provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? alpha

The age of the Dead Sea Scrolls was found by carbon-14 dating. Could this technique have worked if they were carved in stone tablets? Explain.

Which of the beams is due to a positively charged helium nucleus?

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