Term
The origins of radioactivity go back to
A. military activities in the mid-20th century.
B.the industrial revolution two centuries ago.
C.the beginning of human error.
D.before humans emerged on Earth.
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Definition
| D.before humans emerged on Earth. |
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Term
When an atom undergoes radioactive decay, it
A. becomes an ion of the same element.
B.becomes an isotope of the same element.
C.turns into a completely different element.
D.may or may not turn into a completely different element. |
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Definition
| C.turns into a completely different element. |
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Term
Which of these is the nucleus of the helium atom?
A. Alpha particle.
B.Beta particle.
C.Gamma ray.
D.All are different forms of helium. |
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Definition
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Term
The strong force is a force in the
A. atom that holds electrons in orbit.
B.nucleus that holds nucleons together.
C.Both of the above.
D.None of the above. |
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Definition
| B.nucleus that holds nucleons together. |
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Term
A certain isotope has a half-life of one day. This means the amount of that isotope remaining at the end of two days will be
A. zero.
B.one eighth.
C.one quarter.
D.half. |
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Definition
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Term
When an element ejects an alpha particle, the atomic number of the resulting element
A. reduces by 2.
B.reduces by 4.
C.increases by 2.
D.increases by 4. |
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Definition
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Term
When an element ejects a beta particle, the atomic number of that element
A. reduces by 1.
B.increases by 1.
C.reduces by 2.
D.increases by 2. |
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Definition
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Term
A certain element emits 1 alpha particle, and its products then emit 2 beta particles in succession. The atomic number of the resulting element is changed by
A. zero.
B.–1.
C.–2.
D.none of the above. |
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Definition
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Term
An archaeological dig uncovers an ancient spear whose wooden handle contains 1/8 the radioactive carbon of a fresh piece of wood. About how old is the spear?
A. 11,520 years old
B.17,280 years old
C.46,080 years old
D.23,040 years old |
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Definition
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Term
Uranium-235, uranium-238, and uranium-239 are different
A. elements.
B.ions.
C.isotopes.
nucleons |
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Definition
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Term
Which of these nuclei has the greatest mass?
A. Hydrogen.
B.Iron.
C.Lead.
D.Uranium. |
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Definition
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Term
In which of these nuclei does the proton have the greatest mass?
A. Hydrogen.
B.Iron.
C.Lead.
D.Uranium. |
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Definition
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Term
In which of these nuclei does the proton have the least mass?
A. Hydrogen.
B.Iron.
C.Lead.
D.Uranium. |
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Definition
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Term
When energy is released by the process of fission or fusion, the total mass of the material after the event is
A. less.
B.the same.
C.more.
D.none of the above. |
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Definition
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Term
Is it at a all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?
•A) Yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation
•B) no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible
•C) yes, but it does not occur very frequently
•D) no, because it does not contain enough nucleons |
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Definition
| D) no, because it does not contain enough nucleons |
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Term
In bombarding atomic nuclei with proton “bullets” the protons must be accelerated to high energies to make contact with the target nuclei
•A) because the target nuclei are so small
•B) because the target nuclei are negatively charged
•C) in order to penetrate through the electrons that surround each target nucleus
•D) because the target nuclei are positively charged |
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Definition
| D) because the target nuclei are positively charged |
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Term
What evidence of supports the contention that the strong nuclear force is stronger than the nuclear force is stronger than the electrical interaction at short internuclear distances?
•A) Protons can exist side by side within an atomic nucleus
•B) Neutrons spontaneously decay into protons and electrons |
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Definition
| A) Protons can exist side by side within an atomic nucleus |
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Term
How is it possible for an element to decay “forward in the periodic table” that is, to decay to an element of higher atomic number?
•A) the decay is instigated by a collision with a proton
•B) as a beta particle is released, a neutron transforms into a proton |
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Definition
| B) as a beta particle is released, a neutron transforms into a proton |
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Term
The isotope cesium-137 which has a half-life of 30 years, is a product of nuclear power plants. How long will it take for this isotope to decay to about half its original amount?
•A) 0 years
•B) 15 years
•C) 30 years
D) 60 years |
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Definition
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Term
If uranium were to split into 90 pieces of equal size instead of 2, would more energy or less energy be released?
•A) less energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon
•B) less energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon
•C) more energy would be released because of less mass per nucleon |
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Definition
| B) less energy would be released because of more mass per nucleon |
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Term
To predict the approximate energy release of either a fission or a fusion reaction, explain how a physicist uses a table of nuclear masses and the equation E=mc².
•A) Find the change in mass and divided by the speed of light squared
•B) Find the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light squared |
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Definition
| B) Find the change in mass and multiply by the speed of light squared |
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