Deck 11: Nuclear Chemistry

Question 1

If the half-life of a 4 gram sample of a radionuclide is 11 hours, then the half-life of a 2 gram sample of the same radionuclide would be

A) 5.5
B) 11
C) 22
D) 44

Answer 1

11

Question 2

Which of the following would produce the most ion pairs as it interacts with matter?

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) neutron

Answer 2

alpha particle

Question 3

Which intermediate in the uranium-238 decay series constitutes the major source of radiation exposure for the average American?

A) thorium-234
B) radon-222
C) lead-214
D) lead-210

Answer 3

radon-222

Question 4

The term nuclear energy is most closely associated with which one of the following processes?

A) nuclear fusion
B) nuclear fission
C) radioactive decay
D) bombardment reactions

Question 5

After 3 half-lives have elapsed, the amount of a radioactive sample that has not decayed is

A) 1/3 the original amount
B) 1/6 the original amount
C) 1/8 the original amount
D) 1/16 the original amount

Question 6

The daughter isotope produced by the beta decay of is

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 7

The bombardment reaction involving and gives two products, one of which is . The other product is

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 8

The most recently produced synthetic elements have half-lives of the order of

A) years
B) days
C) hours
D) seconds

Question 9

Which of the following statement concerning the penetrating power into matter of various types of radiation is correct?

A) Alpha and beta particles penetrate to the same degree as gamma radiation.
B) Beta particles penetrate deepter than gamma radiation.
C) Beta particles and gamma radiation penetrate equally.
D) Gamma radiation penetrates deeper than both alpha and beta particles.

Question 10

Which of the following types of radiation is composed of particles with a charge and mass identical to that of an electron?

A) alpha particles
B) beta particles
C) gamma radiation
D) X-rays

Question 11

The loss of an alpha particle by a radioactive nuclide causes

A) no change in mass number
B) the atomic number to decrease by four
C) the mass number to decrease by two
D) the atomic number to decrease by two and the mass number to decrease by four

Question 12

If 6.00 grams of a 8.00 gram sample of a radioactive substance undergoes decay in 180 minutes, then the half-life of the substance is

A) 45 minutes
B) 90 minutes
C) 360 minutes
D) 720 minutes

Question 13

Which of the following is not a balanced nuclear equation?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 14

Radioisotopes used in diagnostic medical procedures are usually

A) alpha emitters
B) beta emitters
C) gamma emitters
D) radionuclides with long half-lives

Question 15

During a bombardment reaction, the particles colliding with target nuclei are

A) small and traveling very fast
B) small and traveling slowly
C) large and traveling very fast
D) large and traveling slowly

Question 16

In terms of subatomic particles, the composition of an alpha particle is

A) three neutrons and a proton
B) two neutrons and two protons
C) one neutron and three protons
D) one neutron and two protons

Question 17

The explanation for how a beta particle is produced in the nucleus of a radionuclide and then ejected involves the conversion (in a complex series of steps) of a

A) proton to a neutron
B) neutron to a proton
C) proton to an electron
D) neutron to an electron

Question 18

Which of the following is the best definition for the term radionuclide?

A) the nucleus of any atom
B) the nucleus of an atom that contains more than 75 neutrons
C) an atom whose nucleus absorbs radiation
D) an atom whose nucleus is unstable

Question 19

Which of the following nuclear equations has an incorrect characterization?

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 20

In which of the following pairs of chemical species are both members of the pair free radicals that are often produced by ionizing radiation?

A) H₂O⁺ and H₃O⁺
B) OH and OH^-
C) H₂O⁺ and OH
D) H₃O⁺ and OH^-

Question 21

Which of the following statements concerning nuclear fusion is correct?

A) It is the process by which the sun generates its energy.
B) It is the basis for the generation of electrical energy in nuclear power plants.
C) It occurs at lower temperatures than does nuclear fission.
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 22

Which of the following sets of data is consistent with a half-life of 5.0 days for a radionuclide sample?

A) time elapsed = 20.0 days; fraction of nuclides decayed = 7/8
B) time elapsed = 15.0 days; fraction of nuclides undecayed = 1/16
C) time elapsed = 10.0 days; fraction of nuclides decayed = 1/4
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 23

In which of the following decay processes is the daughter nuclide an isotope of ₈₂Pb?

A)
B)
C)
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 24

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) In alpha particle decay the product nucleus has the same atomic number as the parent nucleus.
(2) Nuclear fission is the process by which the sun generates its energy.
(3) All laboratory-produced radionuclides have half-lives of less than one hour.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 25

Which of the following statements concerning nuclear fission is correct?

A) Neutrons are both reactants and products in the fission process.
B) Uranium-238 is the most important fissionable radioisotope.
C) A number of diagnostic procedures in nuclear medicine are now based on nuclear fission.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 26

The half-life of a radionuclide is

A) the time it takes for half of a given quantity of the radionuclide to decay
B) half the time it takes for all of a given quantity of the radionuclide to decay
C) twice the time it takes for one quarter of a given quantity of the radionuclide to decay
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 27

Which of the following is a transmutation process?

A) alpha particle decay
B) bombardment reaction
C) fission reaction
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 28

Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are called ionizing radiation because, as they travel through matter, they

A) cause ion pair formation
B) cause free radical formation
C) decay into ions
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 29

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) Atoms with unstable nuclei are called nuclides and atoms with stable nuclei are called isotopes.
(2) In radioactive decay, a radionuclide is transformed into the nuclide of another element.
(3) The magnitude of the decay rate for a radionuclide is a function of the nuclide's temperature.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 30

A Geiger counter operates on the principle that radiation

A) exposes photographic film
B) ionizes atoms and molecules
C) causes the temperature of water to increase
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 31

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) Radioactive nuclides produced by bombardment reactions obey the same laws as naturally-occurring radioactive nuclides.
(2) The penetrating power of beta particles exceeds that of gamma rays.
(3) After three half-lives have elapsed, three-fourths of a radioactive sample would have decayed.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 32

The mass number remains constant during which of the following modes of decay?

A) alpha
B) beta
C) gamma
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 33

Which of the following statements about natural radioactive emissions is incorrect?

A) Beta particles are emitted from nuclei at speeds up to 0.9 the speed of light.
B) Alpha particles cannot penetrate the body's outer layers of skin.
C) A piece of aluminum foil will stop gamma radiation.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 34

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) Radioisotopes used in diagnostic medicine are usually gamma emitters.
(2) Ion pair formation involves the nonchemical removal of electrons from atoms to form ions.
(3) In beta decay the parent and daughter nuclides have the same mass number.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 35

The loss of a beta particle by a radionuclide causes

A) the atomic number to decrease by one.
B) the mass number to decrease by two.
C) more than one correct response
D) no correct response

Question 36

Which of the following statements concerning the nature of emissions from naturally radioactive materials is incorrect?

A) Alpha particles carry a negative charge.
B) Beta particles have a mass less than that of alpha particles.
C) Gamma rays have a mass of 1 amu.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 37

In which of the following nuclear equations is the missing product an alpha particle?

A)
B)
C)
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 38

Which of the following statements about synthetically produced radionuclides is incorrect?

A) Synthetic radionuclides outnumber naturally-occurring nuclides by a 7 to 1 ratio.
B) At least one synthetic radionuclide of every naturally-occurring element has been produced.
C) Significant uses in the field of medicine exist for several synthetic radionuclides.
D) More than one correct response.
E) No correct response.

Question 39

After three half-lives have elapsed, the amount of an 8.0 g sample of a radionuclide that

A) remains undecayed is 1.0 g
B) has decayed is 7.0 g
C) remains undecayed is one-third the original amount
D) more than one correct response
E) no correct response

Question 40

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) The final product in a radioactive decay series is always a stable nuclide.
(2) The most important fissionable radionuclide is uranium-238.
(3) Beta particles have a charge of -1 and have no mass.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 41

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: most massive type of naturally occurring radioactive emission.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 42

Identify the missing reactant or product in the following nuclear equation using the response list.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) neutron
D) proton

Question 43

Identify the missing reactant or product in the following nuclear equation using the response list.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) neutron
D) proton

Question 44

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: readily penetrates all layers of skin.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 45

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) All nuclides of all the transuranium elements are radioactive.
(2) Alpha particles are the most massive and the slowest of the three types of naturally-occurring radioactive emissions.
(3) Four grams of an eight-gram sample of a radioactive nuclide will not have decayed after the elapse of one half life.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 46

Identify the missing reactant or product in the following nuclear equation using the response list.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) neutron
D) proton

Question 47

Identify the missing reactant or product in the following nuclear equation using the response list.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) neutron
D) proton

Question 48

For the following small particle, select the correct mass-charge characterization from the response list: alpha particle.

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 49

Identify the missing reactant or product in the following nuclear equation using the response list.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) neutron
D) proton

Question 50

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) For the "average" American, exposure to natural radiation sources exceeds that of exposure to human-made radiation sources.
(2) The highest-atomic-numbered element for which stable nuclides exist is bismuth.
(3) The mechanism by which beta particles are generated involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 51

For the following small particle, select the correct mass-charge characterization from the response list: neutron.

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 52

For the following small particle, select the correct mass-charge characterization from the response list: electron.

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 53

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: is stopped by 1-cm thick aluminum.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 54

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) The most used radionuclide in diagnostic nuclear medicine medicine is ⁹⁹Mo.
(2) The gaseous state distinguishes Rn-222 from other U-238 decay series products.
(3) The sale of irradiated foods has not yet been approved by the FDA.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 55

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) In a radioactive decay process, the parent nuclide is always unstable and the daughter nuclide is always stable.
(2) A free radical is a highly reactive piece of a molecule that contains an unpaired electron.
(3) An older name for the energy produced by nuclear fission is atomic energy.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 56

For the following small particle, select the correct mass-charge characterization from the response list: gamma radiation.

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 57

For the following small particle, select the correct mass-charge characterization from the response list: beta particle.

A)
B)
C)
D)

Question 58

Characterize EACH of the three given statements as being TRUE or FALSE and then indicate the collective true-false status of the statements using the choices: (1) Radioactive nuclides are not known for any of the naturally-occurring elements.
(2) The amount of charge on an alpha particle is twice that on a beta particle.
(3) The largest single contributor to radiation exposure for the "average" American is the nuclide radon-222.

A) All three statements are true.
B) Two of the three statements are true.
C) Only one of the statements is true.
D) None of the statements is true.

Question 59

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: is stopped by a thick sheet of paper.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 60

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: travels at speeds up to 0.9 the speed of light.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 61

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: one-eight of sample is undecayed after two hours.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 62

For the following nuclear reaction, select the correct reaction type from the response list.

A) bombardment
B) decay
C) fission
D) fusion

Question 63

For the following nuclear reaction, select the correct reaction type from the response list.

A) bombardment
B) decay
C) fission
D) fusion

Question 64

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: three-fourths of sample is decayed after two hours.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 65

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: fifteen-sixteenths of sample has decayed after two hours.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 66

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: one-half of sample is undecayed after two hours.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 67

For the following nuclear reaction, select the correct reaction type from the response list.

A) bombardment
B) decay
C) fission
D) fusion

Question 68

For the following nuclear reaction, select the correct reaction type from the response list.

A) bombardment
B) decay
C) fission
D) fusion

Question 69

For the following radiation characterization, choose the correct type of radiation from the response list: decayed and undecayed amounts are the same after two hours.

A) alpha particle
B) beta particle
C) gamma radiation
D) both alpha and beta particles

Question 70

For the following nuclear reaction, select the correct reaction type from the response list.

A) bombardment
B) decay
C) fission
D) fusion