Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A)    Ra 
B)    At 
C)    Po 
D)    Rn 
E)  none of the above 
A)    Ra 
B)    At 
C)    Po 
D)    Rn 
E)  none of the above

Question 2

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fusing a pair of deuterium nuclei produces more energy because there is a greater decrease in mass per nucleon. 
B)  Fissioning a single uranium nucleus produces more energy because its change in mass is much greater than that of a pair of deuterium nuclei. 
A)  Fusing a pair of deuterium nuclei produces more energy because there is a greater decrease in mass per nucleon. 
B)  Fissioning a single uranium nucleus produces more energy because its change in mass is much greater than that of a pair of deuterium nuclei.

Question 3

When food is irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source, does the food become radioactive? Why?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yes. This is why irradiation with cobalt-60 is no longer approved by the FDA. 
B)  Yes. However, the radioactivity resulting is well below the danger level established by the FDA. 
C)  No. The gamma rays do not have sufficient energy to initiate the nuclear reaction in the atoms of the food. 
D)  Yes and No. Although the gamma rays initiate the nuclear reaction the radioactivity does not show up until the food is ingested. 
A)  Yes. This is why irradiation with cobalt-60 is no longer approved by the FDA. 
B)  Yes. However, the radioactivity resulting is well below the danger level established by the FDA. 
C)  No. The gamma rays do not have sufficient energy to initiate the nuclear reaction in the atoms of the food. 
D)  Yes and No. Although the gamma rays initiate the nuclear reaction the radioactivity does not show up until the food is ingested.

Question 4

If three samples have the half-lives listed below, which sample would remain radioactive the longest?

Accepted Answer

A)  a sample with a half-life of 20 minutes 
B)  a sample with a half-life of 20 hours 
C)  a sample with a half-life of 20 years 
D)  a sample with a half-life of 20 million years 
E)  none of the above 
A)  a sample with a half-life of 20 minutes 
B)  a sample with a half-life of 20 hours 
C)  a sample with a half-life of 20 years 
D)  a sample with a half-life of 20 million years 
E)  none of the above

Question 5

After a uranium fuel rod reaches the end of its fuel cycle (typically 3 years) most of its energy comes from the fissioning of plutonium because ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-238 absorbs neutrons from the fissioning U-235 
B)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-235 absorbs neutrons from the fissioning U-238 
C)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-238 absorbs alpha particles from the fissioning U-235 
D)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-235 absorbs alpha particles from the fissioning U-238 
A)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-238 absorbs neutrons from the fissioning U-235 
B)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-235 absorbs neutrons from the fissioning U-238 
C)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-238 absorbs alpha particles from the fissioning U-235 
D)  fissionable Pu-239 is formed as the U-235 absorbs alpha particles from the fissioning U-238

Question 6

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  external fusion 
B)  internal fusion 
C)  internal fission 
D)  external fission 
E)  internal combustion 
A)  external fusion 
B)  internal fusion 
C)  internal fission 
D)  external fission 
E)  internal combustion

Question 7

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Uranium ore must be "weapons' grade" in order for it to undergo chain reaction. 
B)  Uranium ore is mostly non-fissionable isotope U-238. 
C)  Uranium ore does spontaneously undergo slow chain reaction over time finally resulting in it becoming lead. 
D)  Uranium ore, mostly U-235, must be enriched with U-238 in order for it to undergo a chain reaction. 
A)  Uranium ore must be "weapons' grade" in order for it to undergo chain reaction. 
B)  Uranium ore is mostly non-fissionable isotope U-238. 
C)  Uranium ore does spontaneously undergo slow chain reaction over time finally resulting in it becoming lead. 
D)  Uranium ore, mostly U-235, must be enriched with U-238 in order for it to undergo a chain reaction.

Question 8

Which of the beams is actually composed of charged particles?

Accepted Answer

A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  a and c 
E)  all of the above 
A)  a 
B)  b 
C)  c 
D)  a and c 
E)  all of the above

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

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

When food is irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source, does the food become radioactive? Why?

If three samples have the half-lives listed below, which sample would remain radioactive the longest?

After a uranium fuel rod reaches the end of its fuel cycle (typically 3 years) most of its energy comes from the fissioning of plutonium because ________.

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

Which of the beams is actually composed of charged particles?

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Exam 5: The Atomic Nucleus

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

Which produces more energy: the fissioning of a single uranium nucleus or the fusing of a pair of deuterium nuclei into a helium-4 nucleus?

When food is irradiated with gamma rays from a cobalt-60 source, does the food become radioactive? Why?

If three samples have the half-lives listed below, which sample would remain radioactive the longest?

After a uranium fuel rod reaches the end of its fuel cycle (typically 3 years) most of its energy comes from the fissioning of plutonium because ________.

Where does the earth receive most of its energy?

Why doesn't uranium ore spontaneously undergo a chain reaction?

Which of the beams is actually composed of charged particles?

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