Question 1

A certain radioactive element has a half-life of one hour. If you start with a 1-g sample of the element at noon, how much of this same element will be left at 3:00 PM?

Accepted Answer

A)  0.5 gram 
B)  0.25 gram 
C)  0.125 gram 
D)  0.0625 gram 
A)  0.5 gram 
B)  0.25 gram 
C)  0.125 gram 
D)  0.0625 gram

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

A)    Po 
B)    Pb 
C)    Pb 
D)    Th 
E)  none of the above 
A)    Po 
B)    Pb 
C)    Pb 
D)    Th 
E)  none of the above

Question 3

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

A)  yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation 
B)  no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible 
C)  yes, but it does not occur very frequently 
D)  no, because it does not contain enough nucleons 
A)  yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation 
B)  no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible 
C)  yes, but it does not occur very frequently 
D)  no, because it does not contain enough nucleons

Question 4

People who work around radioactivity wear film badges to monitor the amount of radiation that reaches their bodies. These badges consist of small pieces of photographic film enclosed in a light-proof wrapper. What kind of radiation do these devices monitor?

Accepted Answer

A)  Alpha radiation 
B)  Beta radiation 
C)  Gamma radiation 
D)  all of the above 
A)  Alpha radiation 
B)  Beta radiation 
C)  Gamma radiation 
D)  all of the above

Question 5

What is a half-life?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the time it takes for 1/2 of the material to undergo radioactive decay. 
B)  It is the time needed until 1/2 of the radiation is gone. 
C)  It is the time it takes for 1/2 of the material to decompose. 
D)  It is half of the lifetime of the radioactivity in a sample. 
E)  all of the above 
A)  It is the time it takes for 1/2 of the material to undergo radioactive decay. 
B)  It is the time needed until 1/2 of the radiation is gone. 
C)  It is the time it takes for 1/2 of the material to decompose. 
D)  It is half of the lifetime of the radioactivity in a sample. 
E)  all of the above

Question 6

Why wouldn't you use carbon-14 dating on a piece of shell that was estimated to be 1 million years old?

Accepted Answer

A)  Sea shells do not have radioisotopes. 
B)  Carbon dating is only useful on plants. 
C)  Uranium dating is better for items older than 1/2 million years. 
D)  Carbon dating can only be used on items that were once alive. 
E)  The amount of radioactive carbon in the sample would probably too small to measure. 
A)  Sea shells do not have radioisotopes. 
B)  Carbon dating is only useful on plants. 
C)  Uranium dating is better for items older than 1/2 million years. 
D)  Carbon dating can only be used on items that were once alive. 
E)  The amount of radioactive carbon in the sample would probably too small to measure.

Question 7

If a material has a half-life of 24 hours, how long do you have to wait until the amount of radioisotope is 1/4 its original amount?

Accepted Answer

A)  12 hours 
B)  24 hours 
C)  48 hours 
D)  72 hours 
E)  practically forever, but it may be safe by then 
A)  12 hours 
B)  24 hours 
C)  48 hours 
D)  72 hours 
E)  practically forever, but it may be safe by then

Question 8

Your friend says that the helium used to inflate balloons is a product of radioactive decay. Another friend says no way. With whom do you agree?

Accepted Answer

A)  If helium were a product of radioactive decay, we would all be radioactive. Agree with the friend that says "no way." 
B)  Radioactive decay produces alpha particles, not helium. Agree with the friend that says "no way." 
C)  Your first friend is correct. Radioactive isotopes emit alpha particles which, in turn, capture electrons and become helium atoms. 
D)  Helium is an element of the periodic table, not some product of any reaction. Agree with the friend that says "no way." 
A)  If helium were a product of radioactive decay, we would all be radioactive. Agree with the friend that says "no way." 
B)  Radioactive decay produces alpha particles, not helium. Agree with the friend that says "no way." 
C)  Your first friend is correct. Radioactive isotopes emit alpha particles which, in turn, capture electrons and become helium atoms. 
D)  Helium is an element of the periodic table, not some product of any reaction. Agree with the friend that says "no way."

Question 9

The strong nuclear force is very sensitive to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  electromagnetism 
B)  distance 
C)  the weak nuclear force 
D)  mass 
A)  electromagnetism 
B)  distance 
C)  the weak nuclear force 
D)  mass

Question 10

Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discovered fission by bombarding uranium with neutrons. Their discovery was made possible by finding one of the fission products, barium (Ba, atomic no. = 56). What is a reasonable explanation for why they were unable to initially observe the other product, krypton (Kr, atomic no. = 36)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Krypton is a noble gas and it may have diffused out of the sample. 
B)  The isotope of krypton generated might have undergone radioactive decay to some other element. 
C)  Krypton is a noble gas and therefore chemically unreactive, making it difficult to characterize by chemical means. 
D)  all of the above 
A)  Krypton is a noble gas and it may have diffused out of the sample. 
B)  The isotope of krypton generated might have undergone radioactive decay to some other element. 
C)  Krypton is a noble gas and therefore chemically unreactive, making it difficult to characterize by chemical means. 
D)  all of the above

Question 11

During transmutation ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  protons decay into neutrons 
B)  neutrons decay into protons 
C)  alpha particles are absorbed by nuclei 
D)  all of the above 
A)  protons decay into neutrons 
B)  neutrons decay into protons 
C)  alpha particles are absorbed by nuclei 
D)  all of the above

Question 12

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Accepted Answer

A)  Protons are able to exist side-by-side within an atomic nucleus. 
B)  Neutrons spontaneously decay into protons and electrons. 
C)  Uranium deposits are always slightly warmer than their immediate surroundings. 
D)  The radio interference that arises adjacent to any radioactive source. 
A)  Protons are able to exist side-by-side within an atomic nucleus. 
B)  Neutrons spontaneously decay into protons and electrons. 
C)  Uranium deposits are always slightly warmer than their immediate surroundings. 
D)  The radio interference that arises adjacent to any radioactive source.

Question 13

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

Accepted Answer

A)    U →   Th +   He 
B)    U →   U +   He 
C)    U →   Pu +   He 
D)    U →   He 
E)  none of the above 
A)    U →   Th +   He 
B)    U →   U +   He 
C)    U →   Pu +   He 
D)    U →   He 
E)  none of the above

Question 14

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

Accepted Answer

A)  lead 
B)  platinum 
C)  polonium 
D)  thallium 
A)  lead 
B)  platinum 
C)  polonium 
D)  thallium

Question 15

How come an animal's carbon-14 levels do not start to decrease until it dies?

Accepted Answer

A)  because it constantly replenishes its carbon-14 supply by eating plants with carbon-14 in them 
B)  because it constantly replenishes its carbon-14 supply by breathing air with carbon-14 in it 
C)  because it is constantly being bombarded with cosmic rays 
D)  carbon-14 only starts to decay after the animal dies 
E)  the carbon-14 levels do not decrease because the carbon-13 in its skin protects it from cosmic rays 
A)  because it constantly replenishes its carbon-14 supply by eating plants with carbon-14 in them 
B)  because it constantly replenishes its carbon-14 supply by breathing air with carbon-14 in it 
C)  because it is constantly being bombarded with cosmic rays 
D)  carbon-14 only starts to decay after the animal dies 
E)  the carbon-14 levels do not decrease because the carbon-13 in its skin protects it from cosmic rays

Question 16

Which of the following might be considered a viable application of a radioactive tracer?

Accepted Answer

A)  adding a stream of radioisotopes to waste water to examine where pollution goes when it flows into the ocean 
B)  placing radioactive sources around a room to trace the location of people as they move through the room 
C)  embedding a radioactive plug in a valuable necklace so that its location can be determined using a Geiger counter 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above 
A)  adding a stream of radioisotopes to waste water to examine where pollution goes when it flows into the ocean 
B)  placing radioactive sources around a room to trace the location of people as they move through the room 
C)  embedding a radioactive plug in a valuable necklace so that its location can be determined using a Geiger counter 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above

Question 17

What are some of the optimistic worldwide changes that may follow the advent of successful fusion reactors?

Accepted Answer

A)  Economies will be geared to relative abundance rather than scarcity. 
B)  Humans will have more opportunities to focus on social issues, such as world hunger. 
C)  There will be fewer hostilities between nations. 
D)  all of the above 
A)  Economies will be geared to relative abundance rather than scarcity. 
B)  Humans will have more opportunities to focus on social issues, such as world hunger. 
C)  There will be fewer hostilities between nations. 
D)  all of the above

Question 18

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

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 19

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yields energy. Splitting nuclei of any sort is a basic example of a nuclear reaction releasing massive amounts of energy. 
B)  Neither. The amount of energy required to split the light nuclei is exactly the same as that released. This is the basis of the Law of Conservation of Energy. 
C)  Costs energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being greater than the mass of the original deuteron. 
D)  Yields energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being less than the mass of the original deuteron. 
A)  Yields energy. Splitting nuclei of any sort is a basic example of a nuclear reaction releasing massive amounts of energy. 
B)  Neither. The amount of energy required to split the light nuclei is exactly the same as that released. This is the basis of the Law of Conservation of Energy. 
C)  Costs energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being greater than the mass of the original deuteron. 
D)  Yields energy. This fact is consistent with the sum of the masses of the separated proton and neutron being less than the mass of the original deuteron.

Question 20

Why is carbon better than lead as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors?

Accepted Answer

A)  Carbon produces the high energy, high speed neutrons necessary for maintaining the nuclear chain reaction. 
B)  Carbon slows down the neutrons making them more effective in stimulating the nuclear chain reaction. 
C)  Lead slows down the neutrons making them less effective in stimulating the nuclear chain reaction. 
A)  Carbon produces the high energy, high speed neutrons necessary for maintaining the nuclear chain reaction. 
B)  Carbon slows down the neutrons making them more effective in stimulating the nuclear chain reaction. 
C)  Lead slows down the neutrons making them less effective in stimulating the nuclear chain reaction.

A certain radioactive element has a half-life of one hour. If you start with a 1-g sample of the element at noon, how much of this same element will be left at 3:00 PM?

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

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

People who work around radioactivity wear film badges to monitor the amount of radiation that reaches their bodies. These badges consist of small pieces of photographic film enclosed in a light-proof wrapper. What kind of radiation do these devices monitor?

What is a half-life?

Why wouldn't you use carbon-14 dating on a piece of shell that was estimated to be 1 million years old?

If a material has a half-life of 24 hours, how long do you have to wait until the amount of radioisotope is 1/4 its original amount?

Your friend says that the helium used to inflate balloons is a product of radioactive decay. Another friend says no way. With whom do you agree?

The strong nuclear force is very sensitive to ________.

During transmutation ________.

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

How come an animal's carbon-14 levels do not start to decrease until it dies?

Which of the following might be considered a viable application of a radioactive tracer?

What are some of the optimistic worldwide changes that may follow the advent of successful fusion reactors?

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

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Why is carbon better than lead as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors?

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

A certain radioactive element has a half-life of one hour. If you start with a 1-g sample of the element at noon, how much of this same element will be left at 3:00 PM?

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

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

People who work around radioactivity wear film badges to monitor the amount of radiation that reaches their bodies. These badges consist of small pieces of photographic film enclosed in a light-proof wrapper. What kind of radiation do these devices monitor?

What is a half-life?

Why wouldn't you use carbon-14 dating on a piece of shell that was estimated to be 1 million years old?

If a material has a half-life of 24 hours, how long do you have to wait until the amount of radioisotope is 1/4 its original amount?

Your friend says that the helium used to inflate balloons is a product of radioactive decay. Another friend says no way. With whom do you agree?

The strong nuclear force is very sensitive to ________.

During transmutation ________.

What evidence supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short inter-nuclear distances?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

When the isotope bismuth-213 emits an alpha particle, what new element results?

How come an animal's carbon-14 levels do not start to decrease until it dies?

Which of the following might be considered a viable application of a radioactive tracer?

What are some of the optimistic worldwide changes that may follow the advent of successful fusion reactors?

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

Light nuclei can be split. For example, a deuteron, which is a proton-neutron combination, can split into a separate proton and separate neutron. Does such a process yield energy or cost energy? Why?

Why is carbon better than lead as a neutron absorber in nuclear reactors?

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