Question 1

Which subatomic particle is responsible for the positive charge of the atomic nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Proton

Question 2

An atom of carbon-14 ($^{14}C$) undergoes beta decay. What is the balanced nuclear equation for this process?

Accepted Answer

$^{14}_{6}C \rightarrow ^{14}_{7}N + ^{0}_{-1}e$

Question 3

Which statement best describes isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Isotopes have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Question 4

A sample contains 80 mg of a radioisotope with a half-life of 10 days. How much of the isotope remains after 30 days?

Accepted Answer

10 mg

Question 5

Which type of nuclear radiation has the greatest ability to penetrate human tissue?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays

Question 6

What is the atomic number of an element with 17 protons?

Accepted Answer

17

Question 7

Which shielding material is most effective against gamma radiation?

Accepted Answer

Lead

Question 8

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 5 days. If you start with 160 mg, how much remains after 15 days?

Accepted Answer

20 mg

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT considered ionizing radiation?

Accepted Answer

Visible light

Question 10

What is the mass number of an atom with 20 protons and 22 neutrons?

Accepted Answer

42

Question 11

Which nuclear equation correctly represents the alpha decay of polonium-212 ($^{212}_{84}Po$)?

Accepted Answer

$^{212}_{84}Po \rightarrow ^{208}_{82}Pb + ^{4}_{2}He$

Question 12

Which unit is defined as one radioactive disintegration per second?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel (Bq)

Question 13

A PET scan uses fluorine-18, which decays by positron emission. What happens when the emitted positron encounters an electron?

Accepted Answer

Gamma radiation is produced

Question 14

If a radioactive sample has an activity of 100 mCi and its half-life is 2 hours, what will its activity be after 6 hours?

Accepted Answer

12.5 mCi

Question 15

Which of the following statements about neutrons is correct?

Accepted Answer

Neutrons have no charge and are found in the nucleus.

Question 16

A hospital receives 168 mg of iron-59 ($^{59}Fe$) with a half-life of 45 days. What percentage of the original sample remains after 270 days?

Accepted Answer

1.56%

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct symbolic notation for an atom with 6 protons and 8 neutrons?

Accepted Answer

$^{14}_{6}C$

Question 18

Which of the following medical isotopes has the shortest effective half-life?

Accepted Answer

Technetium-99m

Question 19

Which of the following is true about the biological half-life of a radioisotope?

Accepted Answer

It is the time required for half of the isotope to be eliminated from the body.

Question 20

Which of the following is a consequence of exposure to a short-term, intense dose of ionizing radiation?

Accepted Answer

Swift destruction of tissue in the exposed area

Atoms and Radioactivity: Structure, Properties, and Applications

Study Guide - Practice Questions