Question 1

The overall proton-proton cycle is equivalent to:

Accepted Answer

A)  21H $\rightarrow$ 2H 
B)  41H $\rightarrow$ 4H 
C)  41H $\rightarrow$ 4H +4n 
D)  41H + 2e- $\rightarrow$4He + 2$\nu$+ 6$\gamma$ 
E)  41H + 2e+ $\rightarrow$4He + 2$\nu$ 
A)  21H $\rightarrow$ 2H 
B)  41H $\rightarrow$ 4H 
C)  41H $\rightarrow$ 4H +4n 
D)  41H + 2e- $\rightarrow$4He + 2$\nu$+ 6$\gamma$ 
E)  41H + 2e+ $\rightarrow$4He + 2$\nu$ D

Question 2

Consider all possible fission events. Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Light initial fragments have more protons than neutrons and heavy initial fragments have fewer protons than neutrons 
B)  Heavy initial fragments have more protons than neutrons and light initial fragments have fewer protons than neutrons 
C)  All initial fragments have more protons than neutrons 
D)  All initial fragments have about the same number of protons and neutrons 
E)  All initial fragments have more neutrons than protons 
A)  Light initial fragments have more protons than neutrons and heavy initial fragments have fewer protons than neutrons 
B)  Heavy initial fragments have more protons than neutrons and light initial fragments have fewer protons than neutrons 
C)  All initial fragments have more protons than neutrons 
D)  All initial fragments have about the same number of protons and neutrons 
E)  All initial fragments have more neutrons than protons E

Question 3

In a neutron-induced fission process, delayed neutrons come from:

Accepted Answer

A)  the fission products 
B)  the original nucleus just before it absorbs the neutron 
C)  the original nucleus just after it absorbs the neutron 
D)  the moderator material 
E)  the control rods 
A)  the fission products 
B)  the original nucleus just before it absorbs the neutron 
C)  the original nucleus just after it absorbs the neutron 
D)  the moderator material 
E)  the control rods A

Question 4

Consider the following energies:   Rank them in order of increasing value.

Accepted Answer

A)  1, 2, 3, 4 
B)  1, 3, 2, 4 
C)  1, 2, 4, 3 
D)  2, 1, 4, 3 
E)  2, 4, 1, 3 
A)  1, 2, 3, 4 
B)  1, 3, 2, 4 
C)  1, 2, 4, 3 
D)  2, 1, 4, 3 
E)  2, 4, 1, 3

Question 5

In laser fusion, the laser light is:

Accepted Answer

A)  emitted by the reacting nuclei 
B)  used to cause transitions between nuclear energy levels 
C)  used to cause transitions between atomic energy levels 
D)  used to replace the emitted gamma rays 
E)  used to heat the fuel pellet 
A)  emitted by the reacting nuclei 
B)  used to cause transitions between nuclear energy levels 
C)  used to cause transitions between atomic energy levels 
D)  used to replace the emitted gamma rays 
E)  used to heat the fuel pellet

Question 6

The purpose of a moderator in a nuclear reactor is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  provide neutrons for the fission process 
B)  slow down fast neutrons to increase the probability of capture by uranium 
C)  absorb dangerous gamma radiation 
D)  shield the reactor operator from dangerous radiation 
E)  none of the above 
A)  provide neutrons for the fission process 
B)  slow down fast neutrons to increase the probability of capture by uranium 
C)  absorb dangerous gamma radiation 
D)  shield the reactor operator from dangerous radiation 
E)  none of the above

Question 7

235U is readily made fissionable by a thermal neutron but 238U is not because:

Accepted Answer

A)  the neutron has a smaller binding energy in 236U 
B)  the neutron has a smaller excitation energy in 236U 
C)  the potential barrier for the fragments is less in 239U 
D)  the neutron binding energy is greater than the barrier height for 236U and less than the barrier height for 239U 
E)  the neutron binding energy is less than the barrier height for 236U and greater than the barrier height for 239U 
A)  the neutron has a smaller binding energy in 236U 
B)  the neutron has a smaller excitation energy in 236U 
C)  the potential barrier for the fragments is less in 239U 
D)  the neutron binding energy is greater than the barrier height for 236U and less than the barrier height for 239U 
E)  the neutron binding energy is less than the barrier height for 236U and greater than the barrier height for 239U

Question 8

If the nucleus of a lead atom were broken into two identical nuclei, the total mass of the result would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  the same as before 
B)  greater than before 
C)  less than before 
D)  converted into radiation 
E)  converted into kinetic energy 
A)  the same as before 
B)  greater than before 
C)  less than before 
D)  converted into radiation 
E)  converted into kinetic energy

Question 9

Which one of the following is NOT needed in a nuclear fission reactor?

Accepted Answer

A)  Moderator 
B)  Fuel 
C)  Coolant 
D)  Control device 
E)  Accelerator 
A)  Moderator 
B)  Fuel 
C)  Coolant 
D)  Control device 
E)  Accelerator

Question 10

Most magnetic confinement projects attempt:

Accepted Answer

A)  proton-proton fusion 
B)  proton-deuteron fusion 
C)  deuteron-deuteron fusion 
D)  deuteron-triton fusion 
E)  triton-triton fusion 
A)  proton-proton fusion 
B)  proton-deuteron fusion 
C)  deuteron-deuteron fusion 
D)  deuteron-triton fusion 
E)  triton-triton fusion

Question 11

In the uranium disintegration series:

Accepted Answer

A)  the emission of a $\beta$- particle increases the mass number A by one and decreases the atomic number Z by one 
B)  the disintegrating element merely ejects atomic electrons 
C)  the emission of an $\alpha$ particle decreases the mass number A by four and decreases the atomic number Z by two 
D)  the nucleus always remains unaffected 
E)  the series of disintegrations continues until an element having eight outermost orbital electrons is obtained 
A)  the emission of a $\beta$- particle increases the mass number A by one and decreases the atomic number Z by one 
B)  the disintegrating element merely ejects atomic electrons 
C)  the emission of an $\alpha$ particle decreases the mass number A by four and decreases the atomic number Z by two 
D)  the nucleus always remains unaffected 
E)  the series of disintegrations continues until an element having eight outermost orbital electrons is obtained

Question 12

In a nuclear power plant, the power discharged to the environment:

Accepted Answer

A)  can be made zero by proper design 
B)  must be less than the electrical power generated 
C)  must be greater than the electrical power generated 
D)  can be entirely recycled to produce an equal amount of electrical power 
E)  is not any of the above 
A)  can be made zero by proper design 
B)  must be less than the electrical power generated 
C)  must be greater than the electrical power generated 
D)  can be entirely recycled to produce an equal amount of electrical power 
E)  is not any of the above

Question 13

Which one of the following represents a fission reaction that can be activated by slow neutrons?

Accepted Answer

A)  238U92 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$90Kr36 + 146Cs55 + 2H1 + 1n0 
B)  239Pu94 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$96Sr38 + 141Ba56 + 31n0 
C)  238U92 $\rightarrow$ 234Th90 + 4He2 
D)  3H1 + 2H1$\rightarrow$4He2 + 1n0 
E)  107Ag47 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$108Ag47 $\rightarrow$ 108Cd48 + 0e-1 
A)  238U92 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$90Kr36 + 146Cs55 + 2H1 + 1n0 
B)  239Pu94 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$96Sr38 + 141Ba56 + 31n0 
C)  238U92 $\rightarrow$ 234Th90 + 4He2 
D)  3H1 + 2H1$\rightarrow$4He2 + 1n0 
E)  107Ag47 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$108Ag47 $\rightarrow$ 108Cd48 + 0e-1

Question 14

The function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor is to:

Accepted Answer

A)  increase fission by slowing down the neutrons 
B)  decrease the energy of the neutrons without absorbing them 
C)  increase the ability of the neutrons to cause fission 
D)  decrease fission by absorbing neutrons 
E)  provide the critical mass for the fission reaction 
A)  increase fission by slowing down the neutrons 
B)  decrease the energy of the neutrons without absorbing them 
C)  increase the ability of the neutrons to cause fission 
D)  decrease fission by absorbing neutrons 
E)  provide the critical mass for the fission reaction

Question 15

Nuclear fusion in stars produce all the chemical elements with mass numbers less than:

Accepted Answer

A)  56 
B)  66 
C)  70 
D)  82 
E)  92 
A)  56 
B)  66 
C)  70 
D)  82 
E)  92

Question 16

In a subcritical nuclear reactor:

Accepted Answer

A)  the number of fission events per unit time decreases with time 
B)  the number of fission events per unit time increases with time 
C)  each fusion event produces fewer neutrons than when the reactor is critical 
D)  each fusion event produces more neutrons than when the reactor is critical 
E)  none of the above 
A)  the number of fission events per unit time decreases with time 
B)  the number of fission events per unit time increases with time 
C)  each fusion event produces fewer neutrons than when the reactor is critical 
D)  each fusion event produces more neutrons than when the reactor is critical 
E)  none of the above

Question 17

Most of the energy produced by the Sun is due to:

Accepted Answer

A)  nuclear fission 
B)  nuclear fusion 
C)  chemical reaction 
D)  gravitational collapse 
E)  induced emf's associated with the Sun's magnetic field 
A)  nuclear fission 
B)  nuclear fusion 
C)  chemical reaction 
D)  gravitational collapse 
E)  induced emf's associated with the Sun's magnetic field

Question 18

Which one of the following represents a fusion reaction that would yield large amounts of energy?

Accepted Answer

A)  238U92 + 1n0$\rightarrow$90Kr36 + 146Cs55 + 2H1 + 1n0 
B)  239Pu92 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$96Sr38 + 141Ba56 + 31n0 
C)  238U92 $\rightarrow$234Th90 + 4He2 
D)  3H1 + 2H1$\rightarrow$4He2 + 1n0 
E)  107Ag47 + 1n0$\rightarrow$108Ag47 $\rightarrow$ 108Cd48 + 0e-1 
A)  238U92 + 1n0$\rightarrow$90Kr36 + 146Cs55 + 2H1 + 1n0 
B)  239Pu92 + 1n0 $\rightarrow$96Sr38 + 141Ba56 + 31n0 
C)  238U92 $\rightarrow$234Th90 + 4He2 
D)  3H1 + 2H1$\rightarrow$4He2 + 1n0 
E)  107Ag47 + 1n0$\rightarrow$108Ag47 $\rightarrow$ 108Cd48 + 0e-1

Question 19

For purposes of a practical (energy producing) reaction one wants a disintegration energy Q that is:

Accepted Answer

A)  positive for fusion reactions and negative for fission reactions 
B)  negative for fusion reactions and positive for fission reactions 
C)  negative for both fusion and fission reactions 
D)  positive for both fusion and fission reactions 
E)  as close to zero as possible for both fusion and fission reactions 
A)  positive for fusion reactions and negative for fission reactions 
B)  negative for fusion reactions and positive for fission reactions 
C)  negative for both fusion and fission reactions 
D)  positive for both fusion and fission reactions 
E)  as close to zero as possible for both fusion and fission reactions

Question 20

Most laser fusion projects attempt:

Accepted Answer

A)  proton-proton fusion 
B)  proton-deuteron fusion 
C)  deuteron-deuteron fusion 
D)  deuteron-triton fusion 
E)  triton-triton fusion 
A)  proton-proton fusion 
B)  proton-deuteron fusion 
C)  deuteron-deuteron fusion 
D)  deuteron-triton fusion 
E)  triton-triton fusion

Exam 43: Energy From the Nucleus

The overall proton-proton cycle is equivalent to:

Consider all possible fission events. Which of the following statements is true?

In a neutron-induced fission process, delayed neutrons come from:

Consider the following energies: Rank them in order of increasing value.

In laser fusion, the laser light is:

The purpose of a moderator in a nuclear reactor is to:

235U is readily made fissionable by a thermal neutron but 238U is not because:

If the nucleus of a lead atom were broken into two identical nuclei, the total mass of the result would be:

Which one of the following is NOT needed in a nuclear fission reactor?

Most magnetic confinement projects attempt:

In the uranium disintegration series:

In a nuclear power plant, the power discharged to the environment:

Which one of the following represents a fission reaction that can be activated by slow neutrons?

The function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor is to:

Nuclear fusion in stars produce all the chemical elements with mass numbers less than:

In a subcritical nuclear reactor:

Most of the energy produced by the Sun is due to:

Which one of the following represents a fusion reaction that would yield large amounts of energy?

For purposes of a practical (energy producing) reaction one wants a disintegration energy Q that is:

Most laser fusion projects attempt:

Measurement

Motion Along a Straight Line

Vector

Motion in Two and Three Dimensions

Force and Motion I

Force and Motion II

Kinetic Energy and Work

Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy

Center of Mass and Linear Momentum

Rotation

Rolling, Torque, and Angular Momentum

Equilibrium and Elasticity

Gravitation

Fluids

Oscillations

Waves I

Waves II

Temperature, Heat, and the First Law of Thermodynamics

The Kinetic Theory of Gases

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Electric Charge

Electric Fields

Gauss Law

Electric Potential

Capacitance

Current and Resistance

Circuits

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields Due to Currents

Induction and Inductance

Electromagnetic Oscillations and Alternating Current

Maxwells Equations; Magnetism of Matter

Electromagnetic Waves

Images

Interference

Diffraction

Relativity

Photons and Matter Waves

More About Matter Waves

All About Atoms

Conduction of Electricity in Solids

Nuclear Physics

Quarks, Leptons, and the Big Bang

Filters

²³⁵U is readily made fissionable by a thermal neutron but ²³⁸U is not because: