Types of Radiation Practice Problems

Determine whether the statement below describes nuclear fusion, nuclear fission, or both:

It is a nuclear process that releases heat and light when occurring in the stars, including the Sun.

True or False. Fusion occurs naturally in the ocean.

Identify the type of radiation that is referred to in the statement below:

It is capable of traveling a long distance through the air.

Choose the type of radiation described in the following statement: It can cause the most damage to biological tissues when ingested or inhaled.

Determine the type of radiation involved in the following statement: a piece of paper can be used as a shielding protection.

Classify the type of radioactive decay involved in the following nuclear reaction as alpha decay, beta decay, gamma emission, or positron emission.

^99m₄₃Tc → ⁹⁹₄₃Tc + ⁰₀γ

Consider the following nuclear reaction:

⁶⁵₃₁Ga → ⁶⁵₃₀Zn + ⁰₊₁e

Determine if the type of radioactive decay involved is alpha decay, beta decay, gamma emission, or positron emission.

Given the nuclear reaction below, classify the type of radioactive decay involved: alpha decay, beta decay, gamma emission, or positron emission.

⁴⁰₁₉K → ⁴⁰₂₀Ca + ⁰₋₁e

For the following nuclear reaction, determine the type of radioactive decay involved: alpha decay, beta decay, gamma emission, or positron emission.

¹⁴⁴₆₀Nd → ¹⁴⁰₅₈Ce + ⁴₂He

The transuranium elements, which refer to elements beyond uranium, are not found in nature and are only produced through bombardment. Californium is a transuranium element prepared by bombarding berkelium-249 with neutrons to produce a californium atom and a beta particle. Provide the complete bombardment reaction:

²⁴⁹₉₇Bk + ¹₀n → ? + ?

Determine the missing reactant and write the complete bombardment reaction for the following:

? + ¹⁶₈O → ¹⁷₉F + ¹₀n

The figure below shows the nucleus of a new isotope produced by bombarding a specific isotope. Illustrate the nucleus of the isotope that is bombarded:

The figure below illustrates the nucleus of a specific isotope, which contains both protons and neutrons. If the isotope undergoes the following bombardment reaction, illustrate the nucleus of the new isotope produced:

True or False: The abundance of high-energy neutron products available to react with more U-235 nuclei makes a chain reaction possible. 

A ²³⁵₉₂U nucleus was bombarded with a neutron, resulting in two other neutrons, ⁹⁰₃₇Rb, and another nucleus. What is ^A_ZX in the following balanced nuclear fission reaction equation?

²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n → ⁹⁰₃₇Rb + ^A_ZX + 2 ¹₀n 

Select the statement that does not explain the chain reaction in nuclear fission.

What type of radiation corresponds to the particle ⁰₁e?

True or false: Ionizing radiation directly induces DNA breaks, resulting in cell damage. 

Choose the incorrect statement from the following statements on the difference between a nuclear reaction and a chemical reaction.

Actinium-227 is bombarded with particles to yield Berkelium-241. Determine the particle used if two neutrons are formed as by-products during the bombardment of Actinium-227.

Consider the following:

Determine the initial radioisotope required to balance the nuclear reaction.

Polonium-213 is produced via an 11-step decay series of plutonium-241. Determine the number of α particles and β particles emitted in the decay series.

Given the number of neutrons (n) and atomic number (Z) of the first four main nuclides of the U-238 radioactive decay series, write their symbols.

^A_Z I → ^A_Z II → ^A_Z III → ^A_Z IV

I: n = 146; Z = 92

II: n = 144; Z = 90

III: n = 143; Z = 91

IV: n = 142; Z = 92

The isotope radium-223 is used in brachytherapy. The radiation is used to kill cancer cells and reduce tumor size. A radium-223 isotope is produced when a parent nuclide undergoes three α decays and two β decays, not necessarily in any particular order. Give the identity of the parent nuclide in the decay series.

Identify the true statement from the following statements on nuclear fission and normal radioactive decay.

Which one of the following statements is correct about the difference(s) between chemical and nuclear reactions?