Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between chemical and nuclear reactions?

Accepted Answer

In nuclear reactions, elements often change their identity due to changes in the number of protons, while in chemical reactions, elements retain their identity.

Question 2

Which type of radiation has the highest ionizing power but the lowest penetrating power?

Accepted Answer

Alpha (α) radiation

Question 3

A radioactive isotope undergoes alpha decay. If the parent nuclide is $$^{232}_{90}\mathrm{Th}$$, what is the daughter nuclide produced?

Accepted Answer

$$^{228}_{88}\mathrm{Ra}$$

Question 4

Which of the following best explains why radon gas is a significant health risk in homes built over uranium-rich soil?

Accepted Answer

Radon is a radioactive gas that decays inside the lungs, emitting alpha particles that can damage lung tissue and increase cancer risk.

Question 5

Which device is commonly used for instantaneous detection of radioactivity by measuring ionization of argon gas?

Accepted Answer

Geiger-Müller counter

Question 6

A sample contains 1 million atoms of $$^{232}\mathrm{Th}$$, which has a half-life of $$1.4 	imes 10$$^{10}$$ years. How many atoms remain after 2.8$$ 	imes $$10^{10}$$ years?

Accepted Answer

250,000

Question 7

Which nuclear equation correctly represents the beta decay of $$^{228}_{88}\mathrm{Ra}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$^{228}_{88}\mathrm{Ra} \$$rightarrow ^{228}$$_{89}\mathrm{Ac} $$+ ^{0}$$_{-1}\mathrm{e}$$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about gamma (γ) radiation is correct?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays are high-energy photons with low ionizing power and high penetrating power.

Question 9

A fossil is found to have 12.5% of its original carbon-14 content remaining. Given the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years, estimate the age of the fossil.

Accepted Answer

17,190 years

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the process of nuclear fission as used in nuclear power plants?

Accepted Answer

Splitting a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing neutrons and energy.

Question 11

Which of the following is a real-world application of positron emission in medicine?

Accepted Answer

PET scans, which use positron-emitting isotopes to image metabolic activity in tissues.

Question 12

Which of the following nuclear equations represents positron emission from $$^{30}_{15}\mathrm{P}$$?

Accepted Answer

$$^{30}_{15}\mathrm{P} \$$rightarrow ^{30}$$_{14}\mathrm{Si} $$+ ^{0}$$_{+1}\mathrm{e}$$

Question 13

Which of the following is the main reason why nuclear fusion is not yet a practical source of electricity?

Accepted Answer

Fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures that no known materials can withstand.

Question 14

Which of the following is the correct symbol for a beta particle in a nuclear equation?

Accepted Answer

$$^{0}_{-1}\mathrm{e}$$

Question 15

A nuclear power plant uses control rods to:

Accepted Answer

Absorb neutrons and regulate or stop the fission chain reaction.

Question 16

Which of the following is the most significant source of natural background radiation exposure for humans?

Accepted Answer

Radon gas

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the effect of acute radiation exposure on the human body?

Accepted Answer

It kills rapidly dividing cells, leading to weakened immune system and digestive problems.

Question 18

Which of the following is true about the half-life of a radioactive nuclide?

Accepted Answer

It is the time required for half of the parent nuclides in a sample to decay.

Question 19

Which of the following isotopes is commonly used to diagnose thyroid disorders in nuclear medicine?

Accepted Answer

Iodine-131

Chapter 17: Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry - Study Notes

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards