3

Question 1

What particle is emitted in alpha radiation?
  electron 
  photon 
  helium nucleus 
  hydrogen nucleus

Answer 1

helium nucleus

Question 2

Radioactivity results from the decay of unstable:
  electrons 
  nuclei 
  alpha particles 
  photons

Answer 2

nuclei

Question 3

When a beta particle is emitted from the nucleus, which of the following happens to the mass of the parent element?
  The mass decreases 
  The mass splits in half 
  The mass increases 
  The mass remains the same

Answer 3

The mass remains the same

Question 4

Which particle is considered dangerous?
  proton 
  alpha particle 
  beta particle 
  gamma particle

Answer 4

gamma particle

Question 5

Radioactive decay can be defined as
The formation of new elements by bombarding the nucleus of an element with subatomic particles
Process where a heavy nucleus divides to form smaller nuclei of intermediate mass.
Combining of nuclei into larger ones.
The disintegration of a radioactive nucleus in a sequence of nuclear reactions that ultimately yields a stable isotope.

Answer 5

The disintegration of a radioactive nucleus in a sequence of nuclear reactions that ultimately yields a stable isotope.

Question 6

Which of the following processes increase the atomic number by 1?
  gamma-ray production 
  beta-particle production 
  positron production 
  alpha-particle production

Answer 6

beta-particle production

Question 7

What particle can pass through metal but not lead?
  β 
  γ 
  α 
  Ω

Answer 7

γ

Question 8

Which of the following types of radiation is composed of particles with a charge and mass identical to that of an electron?
  alpha particles 
  beta particles 
  gamma radiation 
  X-rays

Answer 8

beta particles

Question 9

Which of the following statements concerning the penetrating power into matter of various types of radiation is correct?
Alpha and beta particles penetrate equally.
Alpha particles penetrate deeper than beta particles.
Alpha particles penetrate deeper than beta particles.
Gamma radiation penetrates deeper than alpha particles.

Answer 9

Gamma radiation penetrates deeper than alpha particles.

Question 10

Fission occurs when a neutron strikes the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom, causing the atom to split apart.
True
False

Answer 10

True

Question 11

During fission, two new smaller atoms, two or three neutrons, and a lot of energy (mostly as heat) are released.
True
False

Answer 11

True

Question 12

If the neutrons that were released hit other uranium-235 atoms, these atoms may fission.
True
False

Answer 12

True

Question 13

Within seconds, millions of atoms can be fissioning. This sequence of events is called a nuclear chain reaction.
True
False

Answer 13

True

Question 14

Which of the following particles would not be able to pass through paper?
  alpha particle 
  beta partice 
  gamma ray 
  x-ray

Answer 14

alpha particle

Question 15

Nuclear fusion \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
  takes place in the Sun 
  occurs at low temperatures 
  can be controlled in a nuclear reactor 
  is used in medicine

Answer 15

takes place in the Sun

Question 16

Nuclear fission \_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
  takes place in the Sun 
  occurs at low temperatures 
  can be controlled in a nuclear reactor 
  is used in medicine

Answer 16

can be controlled in a nuclear reactor

Question 17

Which of these atoms has the most stable nuclei?
  Ra 
  Po 
  Rn 
  Au

Answer 17

Au

Question 18

Which of the following processes increase the atomic number by 1?
  gamma-ray production 
  electron capture 
  beta-particle production 
  alpha-particle production

Answer 18

beta-particle production

Question 19

A beta particle is essentially:
  an electron 
  a positron 
  a proton 
  a helium nucleus

Answer 19

an electron

Question 20

Critical mass can be defined as:
Mass critical to start a nuclear reaction.
Mass necessary to detect radiation.
Mass necessary to avoid an atomic explosion.
Mass required to generate a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.

Answer 20

Mass required to generate a self-sustaining nuclear reaction.

Question 21

Radioactive decay can be defined as:
The formation of new elements by bombarding the nucleus of an element with subatomic particles.
Process where a heavy nucleus divides to form smaller nuclei of intermediate mass.
Combining of nuclei into larger ones.
The disintegration of a radioactive nucleus in a sequence of nuclear reactions that ultimately yields a stable isotope.

Answer 21

The disintegration of a radioactive nucleus in a sequence of nuclear reactions that ultimately yields a stable isotope.

Question 22

Which of the following statements concerning the nature of emissions from naturally radioactive materials is incorrect?
Alpha particles carry a negative charge.
Beta particles have a mass less than that of alpha particles.
Gamma rays have no charge
All the above are correct.

Answer 22

Alpha particles carry a negative charge.

Question 23

Which of the following is not a characteristic of a nuclear reaction?
Isotopes of elements are converted to other isotopes of elements.
Reaction rates are not affected by temperature, pressure, or catalysts.
Only electrons are involved in the breaking and forming of bonds.
Reactions have the release and absorption of great amounts of energy.

Answer 23

Only electrons are involved in the breaking and forming of bonds.

Question 24

Cm-248 undergoes spontaneous radioactive decay by alpha submission. What is the resulting nuclide? Answer using the original isotope notation you learned (C-14, Ba-137, etc..)

Answer 24

Pu-244

Question 25

Iodine-131 undergoes "beta decay". What other particle is produced?
  Xe-131 
  Te-131 
  I-130 
  Sb-127

Answer 25

Xe-131