Question 1

Which of the following statements about alpha ($$\alpha) $$particles is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

They are heavy, slow-moving particles with a +2 charge.

Question 2

A balanced nuclear equation must have:

Accepted Answer

The same sum of mass numbers and charges on both sides.

Question 3

Which type of nuclear decay results in the emission of a high-energy wave with no mass or charge?

Accepted Answer

Gamma decay

Question 4

Complete the following nuclear equation and identify the type of decay: $$^{232}_{90}\mathrm{Th} \$$rightarrow ^{4}$$_{2}\mathrm{He} +$$ ?

Accepted Answer

$$^{228}_{88}\mathrm{Ra}$$, alpha decay

Question 5

Which of the following is the correct balanced nuclear equation for the beta decay of $$^{76}_{36}\mathrm{Kr}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$^{76}_{36}\mathrm{Kr} \$$rightarrow ^{0}$$_{-1}\mathrm{e} $$+ ^{76}$$_{37}\mathrm{Rb}$$

Question 6

Which process describes a proton in the nucleus converting into a neutron and a positron, with the positron being ejected?

Accepted Answer

Positron emission

Question 7

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 1 hour. If you start with 2 g at noon, how much remains at 3:00 PM?

Accepted Answer

0.25 g

Question 8

The half-life of bromine-74 is 25 minutes. How much of a 4.0 mg sample is still active after 75 minutes?

Accepted Answer

0.25 mg

Question 9

Which of the following is a correct application of the inverse square law for radiation intensity?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{I_1$}{I_2$} = \frac{d_2$^2}{d_1$^2}$$

Question 10

Which type of radiation is most likely to cause highly localized damage when the source is inside the body?

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles

Question 11

Which of the following statements about half-life is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Half-life changes depending on temperature and pressure.

Question 12

Which of the following is a real-world application of radioactive tracers in medicine?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosing thyroid function using iodine-131.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes nuclear fission?

Accepted Answer

Splitting a large nucleus into smaller nuclei and releasing neutrons.

Question 14

A chain reaction in nuclear fission is most likely to occur when:

Accepted Answer

The sample size is above the critical mass.

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE about ionizing radiation?

Accepted Answer

It can knock out electrons from atoms, creating highly reactive ions.

Question 16

Which nuclear process is responsible for the continuous energy production in the sun?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Question 17

If you have a 400 mg sample of cobalt-60 (half-life = 5.25 years), how much remains after 15.75 years?

Accepted Answer

50 mg

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of acute radiation exposure?

Accepted Answer

Genetic mutations

Question 19

Which of the following is the correct nuclear equation for the artificial transmutation of uranium-238 with helium-4?

Accepted Answer

$$^{238}_{92}\mathrm{U} $$+ ^{4}$$_{2}\mathrm{He} \$$rightarrow ^{241}$$_{94}\mathrm{Pu} $$+ ^{1}$$_{0}\mathrm{n}$$

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct statement about the biological effects of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Effects depend on distance, length of exposure, type, and location of source.

Chapter 11: Nuclear Chemistry – Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions