Question 1

When an element undergoes beta decay, what changes occur in its mass number and atomic number?

Accepted Answer

The mass number does not change and the atomic number increases by 1.

Question 2

Which of the following correctly represents an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

$$^4_2\mathrm{He}$$

Question 3

At approximately what number of protons or neutrons does a 1:1 proton-to-neutron ratio begin to produce unstable nuclei?

Accepted Answer

20

Question 4

Which of the following nuclides is most likely to be radioactive?

Accepted Answer

$$^{243}_{95}\mathrm{Am}$$

Question 5

In the nuclear transmutation $$^{16}\mathrm{O} (p, \$$alpha) ^{13}$$\mathrm{N}$$, what is the bombarding particle?

Accepted Answer

a proton

Question 6

When $$^{28}\mathrm{Si}$$ undergoes neutron capture followed by alpha emission, what is the product?

Accepted Answer

$$^{25}\mathrm{Mg}$$

Question 7

The reaction $$^{40}\mathrm{Ca} \$$rightarrow ^{40}$$\mathrm{K} + 	ext{?} is an $$example of which type of nuclear decay?

Accepted Answer

positron decay

Question 8

Which of the following best describes what happens during alpha decay?

Accepted Answer

The nucleus emits a particle with 2 protons and 2 neutrons, decreasing its mass number by 4 and atomic number by 2.

Question 9

A radioactive isotope of iodine, $$^{131}\mathrm{I}$$, decays by beta emission. What is the product of this decay?

Accepted Answer

$$^{131}_{54}\mathrm{Xe}$$

Question 10

Which of the following statements about nuclear stability is correct?

Accepted Answer

Nuclei with a neutron-to-proton ratio close to 1:1 are generally stable for elements with atomic numbers up to about 20.

Question 11

A hospital uses $$^{60}\mathrm{Co} as a $$source of gamma radiation for cancer treatment. Which type of decay does $$^{60}\mathrm{Co}$$ primarily undergo?

Accepted Answer

beta decay

Question 12

Which nuclear reaction correctly represents the neutron capture by $$^{14}\mathrm{N}$$ followed by emission of a proton?

Accepted Answer

$$^{14}\mathrm{N} + ^1$_0\mathrm{n} \$$rightarrow ^{14}$$\mathrm{C} + ^1$_1\mathrm{H}$$

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans in medical imaging.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes electron capture?

Accepted Answer

A nucleus absorbs an inner orbital electron, causing a proton to convert into a neutron.

Question 15

Which equation correctly represents the beta decay of $$^{14}\mathrm{C}$$?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 16

A sample of $$^{226}\mathrm{Ra}$$ undergoes alpha decay. What is the daughter nuclide?

Accepted Answer

$$^{222}_{86}\mathrm{Rn}$$

Question 17

Which of the following is a correct statement about gamma emission?

Accepted Answer

Gamma emission does not change the mass number or atomic number of the nucleus.

Question 18

A nuclear reaction is written as $$^{27}_{13}\mathrm{Al} + ^4$_2\mathrm{He} \$$rightarrow ^{30}$$_{15}\mathrm{P} + X. $$What is the identity of X?

Accepted Answer

$$^1_0\mathrm{n}$$

Question 19

Which of the following nuclides is most likely to be stable?

Accepted Answer

$$^{12}_{6}\mathrm{C}$$

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why heavy nuclei (atomic number \u003e 83) are generally unstable?

Accepted Answer

The repulsive electrostatic force between protons overcomes the strong nuclear force, leading to instability.

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