Question 1

The alpha particle has twice the electric charge of the beta particle but deflects less than the beta in a magnetic field because it ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  moves much slower 
B)  moves much faster 
C)  has much more inertia 
D)  has much less inertia 
A)  moves much slower 
B)  moves much faster 
C)  has much more inertia 
D)  has much less inertia

Question 2

Complete the following nuclear equation:   Tl →   Pb + ??

Accepted Answer

A)    e 
B)    He 
C)  gamma ray 
D)  both A and B 
E)  none of the above 
A)    e 
B)    He 
C)  gamma ray 
D)  both A and B 
E)  none of the above

Question 3

Which process would release energy from gold, fission or fusion? From carbon?

Accepted Answer

A)  gold: fission; carbon: fusion 
B)  gold: fusion; carbon: fission 
C)  gold: fission; carbon: fission 
D)  gold: fusion; carbon: fusion 
A)  gold: fission; carbon: fusion 
B)  gold: fusion; carbon: fission 
C)  gold: fission; carbon: fission 
D)  gold: fusion; carbon: fusion

Question 4

What is transmutation?

Accepted Answer

A)  changing one element into another by adding or removing protons from the nucleus 
B)  changing one element into another by adding or removing electrons from the nucleus 
C)  changing one element into another by adding or removing neutrons from the nucleus 
D)  a process that emits radiation 
E)  alteration in DNA due to radioactivity 
A)  changing one element into another by adding or removing protons from the nucleus 
B)  changing one element into another by adding or removing electrons from the nucleus 
C)  changing one element into another by adding or removing neutrons from the nucleus 
D)  a process that emits radiation 
E)  alteration in DNA due to radioactivity

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A)    e 
B)    He 
C)  gamma ray 
D)  both A and B 
E)  none of the above 
A)    e 
B)    He 
C)  gamma ray 
D)  both A and B 
E)  none of the above

Question 6

Which of the following statements about fusion is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fusion reactions have no critical-mass requirement. 
B)  Fusion is easier than fission. 
C)  Fusion reactions can be easily controlled to make energy. 
D)  Fusion produces no harmful radiation. 
E)  none of the above 
A)  Fusion reactions have no critical-mass requirement. 
B)  Fusion is easier than fission. 
C)  Fusion reactions can be easily controlled to make energy. 
D)  Fusion produces no harmful radiation. 
E)  none of the above

Question 7

If uranium were to split into three segments of equal size instead of two, would more energy or less energy be released?

Accepted Answer

A)  Less energy would be released because of less mass per nucleon. 
B)  Less energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon. 
C)  More energy would be released because of less mass per nucleon 
D)  More energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon. 
A)  Less energy would be released because of less mass per nucleon. 
B)  Less energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon. 
C)  More energy would be released because of less mass per nucleon 
D)  More energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon.

Question 8

Just after an alpha particle leaves the nucleus, would you expect it to speed up? Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  No. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it is slowed by the repulsion of the next closest atom's nucleus. 
B)  No. As the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it is slowed by the constant attraction of the electrons surrounding the nucleus. 
C)  Yes. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus there are no more forces acting on it and it therefore accelerates. 
D)  Yes. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it accelerates because of mutual electric repulsion with the nucleus from which it escaped. 
A)  No. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it is slowed by the repulsion of the next closest atom's nucleus. 
B)  No. As the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it is slowed by the constant attraction of the electrons surrounding the nucleus. 
C)  Yes. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus there are no more forces acting on it and it therefore accelerates. 
D)  Yes. Once the alpha particle leaves the nucleus it accelerates because of mutual electric repulsion with the nucleus from which it escaped.

Question 9

Why will nuclear fission probably not be used directly for powering automobiles?

Accepted Answer

A)  Massive shielding would be required to protect against radioactivity exposure. 
B)  Radioactive wastes could not be adequately controlled. 
C)  It's more practical for cars to use the electricity generated by nuclear fission power plants. 
D)  All of the above are true. 
A)  Massive shielding would be required to protect against radioactivity exposure. 
B)  Radioactive wastes could not be adequately controlled. 
C)  It's more practical for cars to use the electricity generated by nuclear fission power plants. 
D)  All of the above are true.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about carbon-14 dating is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Carbon-14 dating is very accurate because the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere is constant. 
B)  Carbon-14 can be used to date anything younger than 50,000 years. 
C)  Carbon-14 dating can be used to date stone tools as well as bone. 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above 
A)  Carbon-14 dating is very accurate because the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere is constant. 
B)  Carbon-14 can be used to date anything younger than 50,000 years. 
C)  Carbon-14 dating can be used to date stone tools as well as bone. 
D)  all of the above 
E)  none of the above

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding a nucleon is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Attraction between nucleons changes their mass. 
B)  The mass of a nucleon depends on which nucleus it is in. 
C)  Some of the mass of a nucleon can be converted into energy by splitting certain nuclei. 
D)  both A and C 
E)  all of the above 
A)  Attraction between nucleons changes their mass. 
B)  The mass of a nucleon depends on which nucleus it is in. 
C)  Some of the mass of a nucleon can be converted into energy by splitting certain nuclei. 
D)  both A and C 
E)  all of the above

Question 12

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field because ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  they have opposite charges 
B)  they spin in opposite directions 
C)  alpha particles contain nucleons and beta particles do not 
D)  all of the above 
A)  they have opposite charges 
B)  they spin in opposite directions 
C)  alpha particles contain nucleons and beta particles do not 
D)  all of the above

Question 13

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gamma radiation would be best because it penetrates the best. 
B)  Alpha radiation would be best because it penetrates the least and therefore does the least damage. 
C)  Beta radiation would be best because it can be measured electrically. 
D)  Only X-rays are used for medical imaging. 
E)  none of the above 
A)  Gamma radiation would be best because it penetrates the best. 
B)  Alpha radiation would be best because it penetrates the least and therefore does the least damage. 
C)  Beta radiation would be best because it can be measured electrically. 
D)  Only X-rays are used for medical imaging. 
E)  none of the above

Question 14

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fusion reactor?   Fe +   Fe →   Te

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

A neutron makes a better nuclear bullet than a proton or an electron because it ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  has the greatest mass 
B)  carries no electrical charge 
C)  can be accelerated by electromagnetic fields 
D)  all of the above 
A)  has the greatest mass 
B)  carries no electrical charge 
C)  can be accelerated by electromagnetic fields 
D)  all of the above

Question 16

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor?   Fe →   Si +   Mg + 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 energy from the missing mass due to strong nuclear force. 
C)  The products are not the right size to obtain much energy from the missing mass due to the strong nuclear force. 
D)  The mass of the byproducts is too high and therefore the energy released will not be high 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 energy from the missing mass due to strong nuclear force. 
C)  The products are not the right size to obtain much energy from the missing mass due to the strong nuclear force. 
D)  The mass of the byproducts is too high and therefore the energy released will not be high enough. 
E)  Interatomic attraction between the products will impede the separation of the atoms from the unstable nuclei.

Question 17

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

Accepted Answer

A)  alpha radiation 
B)  beta radiation 
C)  gamma radiation 
D)  None of these predominate as all three are abundant. 
A)  alpha radiation 
B)  beta radiation 
C)  gamma radiation 
D)  None of these predominate as all three are abundant.

Question 18

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  minimum amount required for a self-sustaining chain reaction 
B)  minimum amount required for radioactive decay 
C)  maximum amount that will detonate when separated into subcritical pieces 
D)  maximum amount needed to make a nuclear power plant operate sustainably 
A)  minimum amount required for a self-sustaining chain reaction 
B)  minimum amount required for radioactive decay 
C)  maximum amount that will detonate when separated into subcritical pieces 
D)  maximum amount needed to make a nuclear power plant operate sustainably

Question 19

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  industrial thermal pollution 
B)  radioactivity 
C)  chemical reactions involving the atomic nucleus 
D)  nuclear fission 
A)  industrial thermal pollution 
B)  radioactivity 
C)  chemical reactions involving the atomic nucleus 
D)  nuclear fission

Question 20

Nuclear fission is known to be commonly produced ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  only by humans 
B)  within the Earth's mantle 
C)  within the Sun 
D)  by humans, within the Earth's mantle, and also within the Sun 
A)  only by humans 
B)  within the Earth's mantle 
C)  within the Sun 
D)  by humans, within the Earth's mantle, and also within the Sun

The alpha particle has twice the electric charge of the beta particle but deflects less than the beta in a magnetic field because it ________.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Tl → Pb + ??

Which process would release energy from gold, fission or fusion? From carbon?

What is transmutation?

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

Which of the following statements about fusion is true?

If uranium were to split into three segments of equal size instead of two, would more energy or less energy be released?

Just after an alpha particle leaves the nucleus, would you expect it to speed up? Why?

Why will nuclear fission probably not be used directly for powering automobiles?

Which of the following statements about carbon-14 dating is true?

Which of the following statements regarding a nucleon is true?

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field because ________.

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fusion reactor? Fe + Fe → Te

A neutron makes a better nuclear bullet than a proton or an electron because it ________.

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor? Fe → Si + Mg + 3 neutrons

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Nuclear fission is known to be commonly produced ________.

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

Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

The alpha particle has twice the electric charge of the beta particle but deflects less than the beta in a magnetic field because it ________.

Complete the following nuclear equation: Tl → Pb + ??

Which process would release energy from gold, fission or fusion? From carbon?

What is transmutation?

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

Which of the following statements about fusion is true?

If uranium were to split into three segments of equal size instead of two, would more energy or less energy be released?

Just after an alpha particle leaves the nucleus, would you expect it to speed up? Why?

Why will nuclear fission probably not be used directly for powering automobiles?

Which of the following statements about carbon-14 dating is true?

Which of the following statements regarding a nucleon is true?

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field because ________.

Which of the following types of radiation might be best for medical imaging?

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fusion reactor? Fe + Fe → Te

A neutron makes a better nuclear bullet than a proton or an electron because it ________.

Why might the following nuclear reaction not be very good for energy production in a fission reactor? Fe → Si + Mg + 3 neutrons

Which type of radiation from cosmic sources predominates on the inside of a high-flying commercial airplane: alpha, beta, or gamma?

The critical mass of a fissionable substance is the ________.

You and your friend journey to the mountain foothills to get closer to nature and escape such things as radioactivity. While bathing in the warmth of a natural hot spring she wonders aloud how the spring gets its heat. What do you tell her? You tell her that the hot water is the result of ________.

Nuclear fission is known to be commonly produced ________.

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