Chapter 29: Nucleus, Radioactivity

Question 1

The material is known to be an isotope of lead, although the particular isotope is not known. For such limited information, which of the following quantities can you specify?
Select one:
a. Can not be determined
b. Its atomic number 
c. Its neutron number

Answer 1

Its atomic number

Question 2

The bound system of any given isotope has a lower mass than that of its separate component protons, neutrons, and electrons. How can this be explained?
Select one:
a. The difference in mass becomes energy equal to the binding energy of the nucleus which has left the system.
b. The mass is not actually lower; this is just a scheme to keep track of the energy.
c. The missing mass becomes energy, which goes to the electrons. This energy causes the electrons to start in an excited state.
d. The extra mass is ejected from the system as detritus.

Answer 2

The difference in mass becomes energy equal to the binding energy of the nucleus which has left the system.

Question 3

Tritium and Helium-3 have the same number of nucleons, but tritium has one proton and two neutrons whereas Helium-3 has two protons and one neutrons. Without doing a calculation, which nucleus has a greater binding energy ?
Select one:
a. Tritium
b. Helium-3 
c. Can not be determined

Answer 3

Tritium