Nuclear Chemistry
Practice Test
1.
These particles sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction.
a.
neutrons
b.
beta particles
c.
protons
d.
alpha particles
2.
The half-life of technetium-99 is 6.0 hours. How much of a 1.000-gram sample remains after 18.0 hours?
a.
8.000 g
b.
0.500 g
c.
0.250 g
d.
0.125 g
3.
Pu-239 is used to fuel a type of nuclear fission reactor called a ________________.
a.
linear accelerator
b.
fusion reactor
c.
breeder reactor
d.
synchrotron
4.
_________ absorb some neutrons in a fission reactor to maintain the rate of reaction.
a.
Control rods
b.
Cooling towers
c.
Graphite blocks
d.
turbines
5.
Given that the half-life of carbon-14 is 5730 years, how old is a fossilized organism that contains 25.0% of the carbon-14 it did when it was alive?
a.
11 460 y
b.
22 920 y
c.
17 190 y
d.
5730 y
6.
This radioactive isotope is commonly used to determine the age of once-living organisms.
a.
nitrogen-14
b.
sodium-23
c.
oxygen-16
d.
carbon-14
7.
Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation by a/an ________________.
a.
unstable atomic nucleus
b.
hydrogen bond
c.
covalent bond
d.
stable electron
8.
The half-life for tritium is 12.32 years. How long will it take for a 10.00-g sample of tritium to decay until 1.875 g remain?
a.
0.6594 years
b.
5.333 years
c.
30.80 years
d.
24.64 years
9.
These devices produce most artificial elements.
a.
particle accelerators
b.
centrifuges
c.
fission reactors
d.
fusion reactors
10.
In an ionizing smoke detector, smoke particles interfere with the flow of ions created by _____________ from americium-241.
a.
alpha particles
b.
atoms
c.
gamma rays
d.
electrons
11.
This portable device detects radioactivity and contains a battery and a gas-filled cylinder.
a.
film badge
b.
cyclotron
c.
Geiger counter
d.
scintillation counter
12.
Gamma radiation produced by cobalt-60 is often used to ________________.
a.
destroy cancerous cells
b.
diagnose cancer
c.
produce other radioisotopes
d.
conduct PET scans
13.
Exposure to ________________ can extend the shelf life of food.
a.
gamma radiation
b.
heat
c.
bacteria
d.
alpha particles
14.
In Einstein's famous equation E = mc
2
, which relates energy and mass, c represents the ___________________.
a.
speed of light
b.
caloric content
c.
speed of sound
d.
specific heat
15.
Unstable atomic nuclei emit radiation to __________.
a.
gain neutrons
b.
lose protons
c.
gain electrons
d.
attain more stable atomic configurations
16.
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.
8
b.
16
c.
4
d.
2
17.
After a/an ________________ substance is exposed to light, it continues to give off the light it has absorbed.
a.
organic
b.
phosphorescent
c.
radioactive
d.
fluorescent
18.
Which of the following types of radiation will pass directly through an electric field without being deflected?
a.
beta particle
b.
gamma ray
c.
alpha particle
d.
delta ray
19.
The products of the fusion reaction involving deuterium and tritium are a neutron and this particle.
a.
a beta particle
b.
a protium nucleus
c.
an alpha particle
d.
a U-235 nucleus
20.
Which of the following would be the best choice for use in detecting diseased tissue as part of medical diagnostics?
a.
ionizing radiation
b.
gamma ray
c.
X-ray
d.
radiotracer
21.
The splitting of an atomic nucleus into two or more large fragments is called ________________.
a.
nuclear fusion
b.
nuclear fission
c.
alpha decay
d.
beta decay
22.
This element accounts for most of the radiation to which people are exposed.
a.
radon
b.
hydrogen
c.
carbon
d.
phosphorus
23.
_____________ produces a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation.
a.
Delta decay
b.
Gamma decay
c.
Beta decay
d.
Alpha decay
24.
This radioisotope is commonly used to diagnose and treat thyroid conditions.
a.
C-14
b.
Na-24
c.
Mo-99
d.
I-131
25.
If a thorium-230 atom undergoes alpha decay, what are the products of the reaction?
a.
radium and an alpha particle
b.
radium and a positron
c.
actinium and an alpha particle
d.
actinium and a positron
26.
____________ containing radioactive P-32 have been used to help clarify complex metabolic pathways.
a.
Protons
b.
Tracers
c.
Fusion reactors
d.
U-235 atoms
27.
Two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus in this process.
a.
nuclear fusion
b.
nuclear fission
c.
covalent bonding
d.
nuclear splitting
