Question 1

Fission is the process of creating energy by
A)combining small nuclei to form a larger,more stable nucleus.
B)combining small nuclei to form a larger,less stable nucleus.
C)splitting large nuclei to form smaller,more stable nuclei.
D)splitting large nuclei to form smaller,less stable nuclei.

Accepted Answer

Fission involves splitting a large nucleus into smaller, more stable nuclei. This process releases energy in the form of heat and radiation. Choice A describes fusion, which combines small nuclei to form a larger, more stable nucleus. Choice B also describes fusion, but with the added characteristic of the resulting nucleus being less stable. Choice D does not accurately describe any form of nuclear process.

Question 2

If you have 200.0 g of radioisotope with a half-life of 5 days,how much isotope would remain after 15 days?
A)12.5 g
B)13.3 g
C)25.0 g
D)40.0 g

Accepted Answer

The formula for determining the amount of a substance remaining after a certain amount of time, given the half-life, is:

N = N0 (1/2)^(t/T)

where N is the final amount, N0 is the initial amount, t is the time passed, and T is the half-life.

Plugging in the given values, we get:

N = 200.0 g * (1/2)^(15/5)
N = 200.0 g * (1/2)^3
N = 200.0 g * 0.125
N = 25.0 g

Therefore, the correct answer is C) 25.0 g. After 15 days, only 25.0 g of the radioisotope would remain.

Question 3

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction? 
A)Alpha
B)Beta
C)Gamma
D)Neutron

Accepted Answer

A

Question 4

In the famous equation E = mc2,the symbols represent
A)E = Einstein,m = matter,c = speed of light.
B)E = energy,m = mass,c = characteristic of the particle.
C)E = Einstein,m = meters,c = conversion.
D)E = energy,m = mass,c = speed of light.

Accepted Answer

In the famous equation E = mc2, E stands for energy, m stands for mass, and c stands for the speed of light.

Question 5

Which of these is not a realistic risk associated with nuclear power plants?
A)Release of radioactivity from spent fuel rods
B)A nuclear explosion
C)A meltdown from loss of coolant
D)Thermal pollution of nearby body of water

Accepted Answer

Nuclear explosions are not a realistic risk associated with nuclear power plants as they are designed to prevent nuclear explosions through multiple safety measures and fail-safes. The other options listed are all realistic risks associated with nuclear power plants.

Question 6

Which is the balanced equation for the fission of U-235?
A) 
B) 
C) 
D)

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which is the balanced equation for the...

Question 7

Which is not a benefit associated with nuclear power plants? A)Efficient production of electricity B)Reduction of CO₂ in the atmosphere C)Inexpensive to operate D)Helps reduce the levels of acid rain

Accepted Answer

Nuclear power plants are quite expensive to build and operate, and often require large subsidies from the government. Therefore, they are not inexpensive to operate.

Question 8

How much energy is equivalent to 1.0 *. 10¯⁴ kg of matter? (Speed of light = 3.0 * 10⁸ m/s) A)3.0 * 10⁴ J B)3.0 * 10⁷ J C)9.0 * 10¹² J D)9.0 * 10¹⁵ J

Accepted Answer

The energy equivalent of matter can be calculated using Einstein's famous formula: E = mc², where E is energy, m is the mass of the object, and c is the speed of light.

Substituting the given values, we get: 
E = (1.0 × 10⁰ kg) × (3.0 × 10⁸ m/s)² 
E = 9.0 × 10¹² J 
Therefore, the energy equivalent to 1.0 kg of matter is 9.0 × 10¹² J, which is equal to 9.0 × 10²² or 9.0 F1F1F1S1×F1F1F1010¹²S1U1P J according to the answer choices. 
Hence, Choice C is the best answer.

Question 9

Which is a common characteristic of both nuclear and conventional electric power plants?
A)Smoke stacks
B)Fuel rods
C)Control rods
D)Steam turbines

Accepted Answer

Both nuclear and conventional electric power plants use steam turbines to generate electricity. While fuel rods are specific to nuclear power plants and control rods are used to control the nuclear reaction in nuclear power plants, smoke stacks are not exclusive to power plants and are used in a variety of industries.

Question 10

Which is not true of radioactive half-life? Radioactive half-life is
A)the time required for the level of radioactivity in a sample to be cut in half.
B)independent of the amount of radioactive material present.
C)increased by heating the isotope.
D)independent of the physical or chemical form of the isotope.

Accepted Answer

Heating the isotope does not increase its half-life. In fact, heat can sometimes cause the isotope to decay more quickly, leading to a shorter half-life. Thus, option C is not true.

Question 11

If 1.8 * 10¹⁴ J is released in a nuclear reaction,how much matter was lost? A)2.0 * 10¯³ kg B)7.2 * 10² kg C)6.0 * 10⁵ kg D)1.6 * 10³¹ kg

Accepted Answer

The energy-matter equivalence is given by Einstein's equation, E=mc^2, where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light. The energy released in the nuclear reaction is 1.8×10^14 Joules. To find the mass lost, we rearrange the equation to m=E/c^2. Given that c^2 is approximately 9×10^16 m^2/s^2, the mass lost is 1.8×10^14 J / (9×10^16 m^2/s^2) = 2.0×10^-3 kg.

Question 12

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are negatively charged?
A)Alpha particles
B)Beta particles
C)Gamma radiation
D)Neutrons

Accepted Answer

Beta particles are high-energy electrons or positrons emitted by a radioactive nucleus during radioactive decay. They have a negative charge and are therefore attracted to positively charged ions in matter. Alpha particles, on the other hand, are positively charged particles consisting of two protons and two neutrons, while gamma radiation consists of high-energy photons with no charge. Neutrons are neutral particles with no charge.

Question 13

What percentage of a radioactive isotope would remain after three half-lives?
A)6.3 percent
B)12.5 percent
C)25.0 percent
D)50.0 percent

Accepted Answer

After one half-life, 50% of the isotope remains. After two half-lives, 25% (half of 50%) remains. After three half-lives, 12.5% (half of 25%) remains.

Question 14

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years.If you started with 100.0 g of carbon-14,how much would remain after 4 half-lives?
A)25.0 g
B)12.5 g
C)6.25 g
D)57.3 g

Accepted Answer

After one half-life, 50.0 g of carbon-14 would remain. After two half-lives, 25.0 g of carbon-14 would remain. After three half-lives, 12.5 g of carbon-14 would remain. After four half-lives, 6.25 g of carbon-14 would remain. Therefore, the answer is C) 6.25 g.

Question 15

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the largest?
A)Alpha particles
B)Beta particles
C)Gamma radiation
D)Neutrons

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles are the largest naturally occurring radioactive particles because they consist of two protons and two neutrons, making them larger and heavier than beta particles and gamma radiation. They also have a higher ionizing power, which makes them more damaging to living tissue.

Question 16

Which feature or process is unique to nuclear power plants when compared to conventional coal-burning power plants?
A)Formation of steam
B)Smoke stacks
C)Steam turbines
D)Control rods

Accepted Answer

Control rods are unique to nuclear power plants as they help in controlling the nuclear reaction and prevent a meltdown. Coal-burning power plants do not have nuclear reactions, therefore do not require control rods. Formation of steam, smoke stacks, and steam turbines are common features in both types of power plants.

Question 17

Smokestacks at these plants release sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide into the air.
A)Coal-burning plants
B)Nuclear plants
C)Coal-burning and nuclear plants
D)None of these choices are correct

Accepted Answer

Coal-burning plants are known to release sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide into the air through their smokestacks. Nuclear plants, on the other hand, do not burn fossil fuels and therefore do not release these contaminants. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 18

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction? 
A)Alpha
B)Beta
C)Gamma
D)Neutron

Accepted Answer

The answer of What type of radiation is given off...

Question 19

Waste created at these power plants must be stored indefinitely.
A)Coal-burning plants
B)Nuclear plants
C)Coal-burning and nuclear plants
D)None of these choices are correct

Accepted Answer

Nuclear power plants generate radioactive waste that can remain hazardous for thousands of years and must be stored indefinitely. Coal-burning power plants also produce waste, but it is typically in the form of ash and can often be reused, recycled, or disposed of in landfills. Therefore, choice B is the best answer as it correctly identifies the type of power plant that produces waste that must be stored indefinitely.

Question 20

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the size of a helium nucleus?
A)Alpha particles
B)Beta particles
C)Gamma radiation
D)Neutrons

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles are made up of two protons and two neutrons, which is the same as a helium nucleus. Beta particles are electrons or positrons, which are much smaller than alpha particles. Gamma radiation and neutrons have no mass or size.

Quiz 6: Energy From Alternative Sources

Fission is the process of creating energy by

If you have 200.0 g of radioisotope with a half-life of 5 days,how much isotope would remain after 15 days?

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction?

In the famous equation E = mc2,the symbols represent

Which of these is not a realistic risk associated with nuclear power plants?

Which is the balanced equation for the fission of U-235?

Which is not a benefit associated with nuclear power plants?

How much energy is equivalent to 1.0 . 10¯⁴ kg of matter? (Speed of light = 3.0 10⁸ m/s)

Which is a common characteristic of both nuclear and conventional electric power plants?

Which is not true of radioactive half-life? Radioactive half-life is

If 1.8 * 10¹⁴ J is released in a nuclear reaction,how much matter was lost?

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are negatively charged?

What percentage of a radioactive isotope would remain after three half-lives?

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years.If you started with 100.0 g of carbon-14,how much would remain after 4 half-lives?

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the largest?

Which feature or process is unique to nuclear power plants when compared to conventional coal-burning power plants?

Smokestacks at these plants release sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide into the air.

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction?

Waste created at these power plants must be stored indefinitely.

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the size of a helium nucleus?

Quiz 6: Energy From Alternative Sources

Fission is the process of creating energy by

If you have 200.0 g of radioisotope with a half-life of 5 days,how much isotope would remain after 15 days?

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction?

In the famous equation E = mc2,the symbols represent

Which of these is not a realistic risk associated with nuclear power plants?

Which is the balanced equation for the fission of U-235?

Which is not a benefit associated with nuclear power plants?

How much energy is equivalent to 1.0 *. 10¯4 kg of matter? (Speed of light = 3.0 * 108 m/s)

Which is a common characteristic of both nuclear and conventional electric power plants?

Which is not true of radioactive half-life? Radioactive half-life is

If 1.8 * 1014 J is released in a nuclear reaction,how much matter was lost?

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are negatively charged?

What percentage of a radioactive isotope would remain after three half-lives?

The half-life of carbon-14 is 5,730 years.If you started with 100.0 g of carbon-14,how much would remain after 4 half-lives?

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the largest?

Which feature or process is unique to nuclear power plants when compared to conventional coal-burning power plants?

Smokestacks at these plants release sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide into the air.

What type of radiation is given off in this nuclear reaction?

Waste created at these power plants must be stored indefinitely.

Which naturally occurring radioactive particles are the size of a helium nucleus?

How much energy is equivalent to 1.0 . 10¯⁴ kg of matter? (Speed of light = 3.0 10⁸ m/s)

If 1.8 * 10¹⁴ J is released in a nuclear reaction,how much matter was lost?