Question 1

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta 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 2

Carbon-14 dating is fairly reliable for dating once-living materials that died up to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  5000 years ago 
B)  50,00 years ago 
C)  250.000 years ago 
D)  2.5 million years ago 
A)  5000 years ago 
B)  50,00 years ago 
C)  250.000 years ago 
D)  2.5 million years ago

Question 3

Radium-226 is a common isotope on Earth, but has a half-life of about 1600 years. Given that Earth is some 5 billions years old, why is there any radium at all?

Accepted Answer

A)  Radium-226 is one of several self-transmutating isotopes of the elements of the periodic table and is able to replenish itself so that it is never depleted. 
B)  Radium-226 and Radium-218 undergo a series of transmutation reactions of alpha and beta decay to repeatedly become one another approximately every 1600 years. 
C)  Radium-226 is a "daughter" isotope and the result of the radioactive decay of uranium. 
D)  Radium-226 and Astatine-218 are converted back and forth via transmutation to one another at each of their respective half-life cycles. 
A)  Radium-226 is one of several self-transmutating isotopes of the elements of the periodic table and is able to replenish itself so that it is never depleted. 
B)  Radium-226 and Radium-218 undergo a series of transmutation reactions of alpha and beta decay to repeatedly become one another approximately every 1600 years. 
C)  Radium-226 is a "daughter" isotope and the result of the radioactive decay of uranium. 
D)  Radium-226 and Astatine-218 are converted back and forth via transmutation to one another at each of their respective half-life cycles.

Question 4

Does the average distance that a neutron travels through fissionable material before escaping increase or decrease when two pieces of fissionable material are assembled into one piece? Does this assembly increase or decrease the probability of an explosion?

Accepted Answer

A)  The average distance increases while the probability of an explosion also increases. 
B)  The average distance decreases while the probability of an explosion decreases. 
C)  The average distance increases while the probability of an explosion decreases. 
D)  The average distance decreases while the probability of an explosion increases. 
A)  The average distance increases while the probability of an explosion also increases. 
B)  The average distance decreases while the probability of an explosion decreases. 
C)  The average distance increases while the probability of an explosion decreases. 
D)  The average distance decreases while the probability of an explosion increases.

Question 5

In bombarding atomic nuclei with proton "bullets," the protons must be accelerated to high energies to make contact with the target nuclei ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  because the target nuclei are so small 
B)  because the target nuclei are negatively charged 
C)  in order to penetrate through the electrons that surround each target nucleus 
D)  because the target nuclei are positively charged 
A)  because the target nuclei are so small 
B)  because the target nuclei are negatively charged 
C)  in order to penetrate through the electrons that surround each target nucleus 
D)  because the target nuclei are positively charged

Question 6

Is the mass of an atomic nucleus greater or less than the sum of the masses of the nucleons composing it? Why don't the nucleon masses add up to the total nuclear mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  Greater. We need to add the masses of the surrounding electrons to the masses of the nucleons. 
B)  Neither. The mass of the atomic nucleus is exactly the sum of the masses of the nucleons. 
C)  Less. The individual nucleons have greater mass when separated from the nucleus. This additional mass is a result of the energy of separation. 
D)  Greater. The mass of the atomic nucleus also has mass of the "atomic glue" that holds the nucleons together in the nucleus. 
A)  Greater. We need to add the masses of the surrounding electrons to the masses of the nucleons. 
B)  Neither. The mass of the atomic nucleus is exactly the sum of the masses of the nucleons. 
C)  Less. The individual nucleons have greater mass when separated from the nucleus. This additional mass is a result of the energy of separation. 
D)  Greater. The mass of the atomic nucleus also has mass of the "atomic glue" that holds the nucleons together in the nucleus.

Question 7

Which of the following emits more radiation?

Accepted Answer

A)  a coal-fired power plant 
B)  a nuclear power plant 
C)  fallout from nuclear tests in the '50s and '60s 
D)  a television set 
E)  a computer monitor 
A)  a coal-fired power plant 
B)  a nuclear power plant 
C)  fallout from nuclear tests in the '50s and '60s 
D)  a television set 
E)  a computer monitor

Question 8

If a fusion reaction produces no appreciable radioactive isotopes, why does a hydrogen bomb produce significant radioactive fallout?

Accepted Answer

A)  The fallout is only the radioactive remnants of the bomb's structure and casing. 
B)  It is a misconception that fusion reactions produce no appreciable radioactive isotopes. Therefore, radioactive fallout is unavoidable. 
C)  The radioactive fallout is a result of the fission reaction used to ignite the thermonuclear fusion reaction. 
D)  Once a hydrogen bomb is exploded, all matter within nearly 100 miles becomes radioactive fallout. 
A)  The fallout is only the radioactive remnants of the bomb's structure and casing. 
B)  It is a misconception that fusion reactions produce no appreciable radioactive isotopes. Therefore, radioactive fallout is unavoidable. 
C)  The radioactive fallout is a result of the fission reaction used to ignite the thermonuclear fusion reaction. 
D)  Once a hydrogen bomb is exploded, all matter within nearly 100 miles becomes radioactive fallout.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes an exothermic nuclear fission reaction?

Accepted Answer

A)  The number of nucleons changes before and after the reaction. 
B)  The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants. 
C)  The energy released decreases with a greater loss of mass. 
D)  All of the above describe a fusion reaction. 
E)  None of the above describe a fusion reaction. 
A)  The number of nucleons changes before and after the reaction. 
B)  The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants. 
C)  The energy released decreases with a greater loss of mass. 
D)  All of the above describe a fusion reaction. 
E)  None of the above describe a fusion reaction.

Question 10

How do fission power plants work?

Accepted Answer

A)  The heat from a nuclear reaction is used to produce steam that drives a turbine. 
B)  The neutrons from a nuclear reaction undergo fusion with water to produce hydrogen gas, which drives a turbine. 
C)  The electrons from a nuclear reaction are harnessed to produce an electrical current. 
D)  The krypton gas generated in the fission process is used to drive a turbine. 
E)  The neutrons from a nuclear reaction undergo fusion with water to produce hydrogen gas, which is a combustible fuel. 
A)  The heat from a nuclear reaction is used to produce steam that drives a turbine. 
B)  The neutrons from a nuclear reaction undergo fusion with water to produce hydrogen gas, which drives a turbine. 
C)  The electrons from a nuclear reaction are harnessed to produce an electrical current. 
D)  The krypton gas generated in the fission process is used to drive a turbine. 
E)  The neutrons from a nuclear reaction undergo fusion with water to produce hydrogen gas, which is a combustible fuel.

Question 11

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

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 12

Why would you expect alpha particles to be less able to penetrate materials than beta particles of the same kinetic energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Alpha particles pick up electrons to become harmless helium atoms. 
B)  Alpha particles carry twice the electric charge. 
C)  Alpha particles move much slower for a given kinetic energy. 
D)  Two of the above answers are reasonable. 
A)  Alpha particles pick up electrons to become harmless helium atoms. 
B)  Alpha particles carry twice the electric charge. 
C)  Alpha particles move much slower for a given kinetic energy. 
D)  Two of the above answers are reasonable.

Question 13

The isotope Cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years, is a product of nuclear power plants. How long will it take for this isotope to decay to about one-sixteenth its original amount?

Accepted Answer

A)  480 years 
B)  240 years 
C)  120 years 
D)  960 years 
A)  480 years 
B)  240 years 
C)  120 years 
D)  960 years

Question 14

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

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 15

You are given three radioactive samples (α, β, and γ) and can only dispose of one. The other two you must keep, one in your hand, the other in your pocket. How would you minimize your exposure risk?

Accepted Answer

A)  keep α in hand, keep β in pocket, and dispose of γ 
B)  dispose of α, keep β in hand, and keep γ in pocket 
C)  dispose of α, keep β in pocket and keep γ in hand 
D)  keep α in pocket, dispose of β, and keep γ in hand 
E)  keep α in hand, dispose of β, and keep γ in pocket 
A)  keep α in hand, keep β in pocket, and dispose of γ 
B)  dispose of α, keep β in hand, and keep γ in pocket 
C)  dispose of α, keep β in pocket and keep γ in hand 
D)  keep α in pocket, dispose of β, and keep γ in hand 
E)  keep α in hand, dispose of β, and keep γ in pocket

Question 16

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

Accepted Answer

A)    Th →   Pa +   e 
B)    Th →   Ac +   e 
C)    Th →   Pa +   e 
D)    Th →   e 
E)  none of the above 
A)    Th →   Pa +   e 
B)    Th →   Ac +   e 
C)    Th →   Pa +   e 
D)    Th →   e 
E)  none of the above

Question 17

Uranium-235 releases an average of 2.5 neutrons per fission, while plutonium-239 releases an average of 2.7 neutrons per fission. Which of these elements might you therefore expect to have the smaller critical mass?

Accepted Answer

A)  plutonium-239 
B)  uranium-235 
C)  The number of neutrons per fission will not effect the size of critical mass. 
D)  The critical mass of these elements cannot be determined from only the number of neutrons per fission. 
A)  plutonium-239 
B)  uranium-235 
C)  The number of neutrons per fission will not effect the size of critical mass. 
D)  The critical mass of these elements cannot be determined from only the number of neutrons per fission.

Question 18

How many alpha particles are emitted in the series of radioactive decay events from a U-238 nucleus to a Pb-206 nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  32 
B)  16 
C)  8 
D)  4 
A)  32 
B)  16 
C)  8 
D)  4

Question 19

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Accepted Answer

A)  airline pilot 
B)  quarterback for the Denver Broncos 
C)  center for the L.A. Lakers 
D)  deep sea diver 
E)  lifeguard 
A)  airline pilot 
B)  quarterback for the Denver Broncos 
C)  center for the L.A. Lakers 
D)  deep sea diver 
E)  lifeguard

Question 20

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  emit radiation 
B)  emit light 
C)  emit electrons 
D)  glow in the dark 
E)  radiate heat 
A)  emit radiation 
B)  emit light 
C)  emit electrons 
D)  glow in the dark 
E)  radiate heat

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Carbon-14 dating is fairly reliable for dating once-living materials that died up to ________.

Radium-226 is a common isotope on Earth, but has a half-life of about 1600 years. Given that Earth is some 5 billions years old, why is there any radium at all?

Does the average distance that a neutron travels through fissionable material before escaping increase or decrease when two pieces of fissionable material are assembled into one piece? Does this assembly increase or decrease the probability of an explosion?

In bombarding atomic nuclei with proton "bullets," the protons must be accelerated to high energies to make contact with the target nuclei ________.

Is the mass of an atomic nucleus greater or less than the sum of the masses of the nucleons composing it? Why don't the nucleon masses add up to the total nuclear mass?

Which of the following emits more radiation?

If a fusion reaction produces no appreciable radioactive isotopes, why does a hydrogen bomb produce significant radioactive fallout?

Which of the following best describes an exothermic nuclear fission reaction?

How do fission power plants work?

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

Why would you expect alpha particles to be less able to penetrate materials than beta particles of the same kinetic energy?

The isotope Cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years, is a product of nuclear power plants. How long will it take for this isotope to decay to about one-sixteenth its original amount?

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

You are given three radioactive samples (α, β, and γ) and can only dispose of one. The other two you must keep, one in your hand, the other in your pocket. How would you minimize your exposure risk?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

Uranium-235 releases an average of 2.5 neutrons per fission, while plutonium-239 releases an average of 2.7 neutrons per fission. Which of these elements might you therefore expect to have the smaller critical mass?

How many alpha particles are emitted in the series of radioactive decay events from a U-238 nucleus to a Pb-206 nucleus?

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

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Subatomic Particles

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How Molecules Mix

How Water Behaves

How Chemicals React

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Oxidations and Reductions Charge the World

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes beta emission?

Carbon-14 dating is fairly reliable for dating once-living materials that died up to ________.

Radium-226 is a common isotope on Earth, but has a half-life of about 1600 years. Given that Earth is some 5 billions years old, why is there any radium at all?

Does the average distance that a neutron travels through fissionable material before escaping increase or decrease when two pieces of fissionable material are assembled into one piece? Does this assembly increase or decrease the probability of an explosion?

In bombarding atomic nuclei with proton "bullets," the protons must be accelerated to high energies to make contact with the target nuclei ________.

Is the mass of an atomic nucleus greater or less than the sum of the masses of the nucleons composing it? Why don't the nucleon masses add up to the total nuclear mass?

Which of the following emits more radiation?

If a fusion reaction produces no appreciable radioactive isotopes, why does a hydrogen bomb produce significant radioactive fallout?

Which of the following best describes an exothermic nuclear fission reaction?

How do fission power plants work?

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

Why would you expect alpha particles to be less able to penetrate materials than beta particles of the same kinetic energy?

The isotope Cesium-137, which has a half-life of 30 years, is a product of nuclear power plants. How long will it take for this isotope to decay to about one-sixteenth its original amount?

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

You are given three radioactive samples (α, β, and γ) and can only dispose of one. The other two you must keep, one in your hand, the other in your pocket. How would you minimize your exposure risk?

Which of the following nuclear equations correctly describes alpha emission?

Uranium-235 releases an average of 2.5 neutrons per fission, while plutonium-239 releases an average of 2.7 neutrons per fission. Which of these elements might you therefore expect to have the smaller critical mass?

How many alpha particles are emitted in the series of radioactive decay events from a U-238 nucleus to a Pb-206 nucleus?

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

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