Nuclear Chemistry
Practice Test
1.
In the periodic table, the principal quantum number corresponds to the ________.
a.
period number
b.
group number
c.
lanthanides
d.
transition metals
2.
What is the name given to the amount of a radioactive substance that is massive enough to sustain a chain reaction?
a.
critical mass
b.
mole
c.
critical condition
d.
mass defect
3.
The atomic number of an element is defined by its number of ________.
a.
electrons
b.
nuclei
c.
protons
d.
neutrons
4.
The elements with atomic numbers greater than 92 are _______________.
a.
halogens
b.
actinides
c.
transuranium elements
d.
lanthanides
5.
What conditions in the nucleus usually result in beta decay?
a.
The nucleus has too many neutrons.
b.
The atomic mass is greater than 300 amu.
c.
The nucleus has too many protons.
d.
The valence electrons are lost.
6.
The goal of ancient alchemy was to change lead (atomic number 82) into gold (atomic number 79). Which of the following could result in the transformation of lead into gold?
a.
an induced transmutation that adds an alpha particle and removes a positron from a lead atom
b.
an induced transmutation that adds an alpha particle and removes a beta particle from a lead atom
c.
an induced transmutation that removes an alpha particle and a positron from a lead atom
d.
an induced transmutation that removes an alpha particle and a beta particle from a lead atom
7.
Which of the following statements is true?
a.
Each set of d orbitals can hold a maximum of 14 electrons.
b.
All s orbitals are spherically shaped.
c.
The first energy level contains only s and p orbitals.
d.
Each set of d orbitals contains seven orbitals.
8.
What can you conclude from the deflection of a cathode ray in a magnetic field?
a.
The ray must have a positive charge.
b.
The ray must be composed of charged particles.
c.
The ray must be composed of iron.
d.
The ray must need to travel in a vacuum.
9.
What particle emitted during radioactive decay has a mass of 4 amu?
a.
alpha particle
b.
beta particle
c.
delta particle
d.
gamma particle
10.
What fundamental particle is identical to a beta particle?
a.
the electron
b.
the neutron
c.
the positron
d.
the proton
11.
If one fission reaction of a uranium-235 atom produced two neutrons, how many neutrons would be released if the chain reaction occurred three more times?
a.
16
b.
4
c.
8
d.
2
12.
Which of the following affects the amplitude of a wave?
a.
frequency
b.
amount of energy carried by the wave
c.
wavelength
d.
speed of light
13.
Which of the following power sources makes use of the photoelectric effect?
a.
alkaline batteries
b.
diesel engines
c.
nuclear power plants
d.
solar power cells
14.
Radiation that is energetic enough to ionize matter is called ionizing radiation. Which of the following devices could be used to detect ionizing radiation?
a.
scintillation counter
b.
all of the above
c.
film badge
d.
Geiger counter
15.
Which of the following particles has a mass that is almost the same as the mass of a proton?
a.
positron
b.
neutron
c.
electron
d.
beta particle
16.
How is the atomic mass unit (amu) defined?
a.
1/16 the mass of an oxygen-16 atom
b.
1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom
c.
1/14 the mass of a nitrogen-14 atom
d.
1/13 the mass of a carbon-13 atom
17.
Which of the following would be the best choice for use in detecting diseased tissue as part of medical diagnostics?
a.
gamma ray
b.
X-ray
c.
ionizing radiation
d.
radiotracer
18.
What happens during positron emission?
a.
An atomic explosion occurs.
b.
A proton is converted into a neutron and an electron.
c.
A neutron is converted into a proton and a positron.
d.
A proton is converted into a neutron and a positron.
19.
Unstable atomic nuclei emit radiation to __________.
a.
gain electrons
b.
attain more stable atomic configurations
c.
gain neutrons
d.
lose protons
20.
What is the name for the emission of rays and particles by a radioactive material?
a.
radiation
b.
decay
c.
nuclear reactivity
d.
radioactive series
