Question 1

No alpha decay is observed for isotopes of elements with Z < 83.

Accepted Answer

Alpha decay is observed in some isotopes of elements with atomic numbers (Z) less than 83, such as polonium (Z=84) and radon (Z=86).

Question 2

Which one of the following descriptions relating to nuclear reactions is correct?
A)The ratio of neutrons to protons remains constant.
B)The number of protons plus neutrons remains constant.
C)The number of electron remains constant.
D)The total charge changes.
E)The total number of nucleons changes.

Accepted Answer

In a nuclear reaction, the total number of protons plus neutrons, which are collectively known as nucleons, remains constant. This is a fundamental principle of nuclear physics, reflecting the conservation of nucleon number during such reactions.

Question 3

Radioactive decay follows zero-order kinetics.

Accepted Answer

Radioactive decay follows first-order kinetics, not zero-order kinetics. The rate of decay is directly proportional to the number of radioactive atoms present.

Question 4

Select the nuclide that completes the following nuclear reaction. 
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Select the nuclide that completes the following...

Question 5

After 4 half-lives, the fraction of a radioactive isotope which still remains is approximately one-eighth.

Accepted Answer

After 4 half-lives, the fraction of a radioactive isotope that remains is 1/16, not 1/8, because each half-life reduces the remaining amount by half.

Question 6

The (negative) binding energy per nucleon reaches a maximum for the isotope

Accepted Answer

The answer of The (negative) binding energy per nucleon reaches...

Question 7

Which one of the following equations correctly represents electron capture by the  nucleus?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

Electron capture involves adding an electron to the nucleus, so the atomic number decreases by 1. The resulting nucleus is represented by the (Z-1) symbol. Thus, the correct equation for electron capture by 11eb6533_800a_2d9e_b0a1_fd813e3c8f80_TB8248_11 is 11eb6533_800a_2da1_b0a1_fdd5097ec9c7_TB8248_11. Choice C represents this correctly by subtracting 1 from the atomic number (the first set of digits, which is 11 in this case).

Question 8

Most foodstuffs contain natural, radioactive isotopes.

Accepted Answer

Most foodstuffs, such as bananas, contain natural radioactive isotopes such as potassium-40. The levels of radiation from these isotopes are typically very low and not harmful to humans in normal amounts.

Question 9

Which one of the following is an incorrect representation of the indicated particle or nucleus?
A)Positron: 
B)Neutron: 
C)Helium-3: 
D)Alpha particle: 
E)Proton:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following is an...

Question 10

Which of the following types of radioactive decay does not produce new element?
A)Gamma emission
B)Electron capture
C)Beta emission
D)Alpha emission
E)Double beta emission

Accepted Answer

Gamma emission is a type of radioactive decay where a nucleus releases high-energy photons (gamma rays) to become more stable. This process does not change the atomic number or mass of the nucleus, so it does not produce a new element.

Question 11

Which one of the following is a subatomic particle closely related to the positron?
A)Proton
B)Electron
C)Negatron
D)Neutron
E)Neutrino

Accepted Answer

The positron is the antiparticle or the antimatter counterpart of the electron, which means it is closely related to the electron in terms of its properties but has a positive charge instead of a negative one.

Question 12

Who discovered radioactivity?
A)Geiger
B)Curie
C)Roentgen
D)Becquerel
E)Rutherford

Accepted Answer

Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896 when he accidentally discovered that uranium salts emit penetrating rays that can darken photographic plates even if not exposed to light.

Question 13

Which one of the following equations correctly represents alpha decay of  ?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following equations correctly...

Question 14

The s-process involves a slow succession of neutron absorption and beta decay processes during the normal life of a star.

Accepted Answer

The s-process does indeed involve a slow succession of neutron absorption and beta decay processes during the normal life of a star.

Question 15

Positron decay and electron capture have the same net effect on the Z and N values of a nucleus.

Accepted Answer

Both positron decay and electron capture involve the conversion of a proton into a neutron in the nucleus. This results in a decrease of atomic number (Z) by 1 and no change in mass number (N), thus the same net effect on the Z and N values of the nucleus.

Question 16

Gamma rays are not deflected by an electric field.

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays are neutral and do not have an electric charge, so they are not affected by electric fields.

Question 17

Gamma rays are high energy electrons.

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays are actually high energy photons, not electrons.

Question 18

Which one of the following equations correctly represents positron decay of  ?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D) 
E)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following equations correctly...

Question 19

In the equation above, what particle or type of radiation needs to be included on the right-hand side in order to balance it?
A)Alpha
B)Beta
C)Gamma
D)Positron
E)Proton

Accepted Answer

The answer of  In the equation above, what particle...

Question 20

The r-process occurs during supernova explosions.

Accepted Answer

The r-process, which is responsible for the production of heavy elements beyond iron, occurs during supernova explosions where neutron densities are high enough to allow for rapid neutron capture.

Quiz 24: Nuclear Reactions and Their Applications

No alpha decay is observed for isotopes of elements with Z < 83.

Which one of the following descriptions relating to nuclear reactions is correct?

Radioactive decay follows zero-order kinetics.

Select the nuclide that completes the following nuclear reaction.

After 4 half-lives, the fraction of a radioactive isotope which still remains is approximately one-eighth.

The (negative) binding energy per nucleon reaches a maximum for the isotope

Which one of the following equations correctly represents electron capture by the nucleus?

Most foodstuffs contain natural, radioactive isotopes.

Which one of the following is an incorrect representation of the indicated particle or nucleus?

Which of the following types of radioactive decay does not produce new element?

Which one of the following is a subatomic particle closely related to the positron?

Who discovered radioactivity?

Which one of the following equations correctly represents alpha decay of ?

The s-process involves a slow succession of neutron absorption and beta decay processes during the normal life of a star.

Positron decay and electron capture have the same net effect on the Z and N values of a nucleus.

Gamma rays are not deflected by an electric field.

Gamma rays are high energy electrons.

Which one of the following equations correctly represents positron decay of ?

In the equation above, what particle or type of radiation needs to be included on the right-hand side in order to balance it?

The r-process occurs during supernova explosions.