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Quiz Chapter 6: Nuclear Physics

10 questions · Form 5 Physics Bab 6: Nuclear Physics

Question 1 of 10Score: 0

Which particle is emitted when a neutron inside an unstable nucleus transforms into a proton during radioactive decay?

Full Question List & Answer Key

Prefer reading to quizzing? All 10 questions are listed below with the answer and explanation under each one.

1. Which particle is emitted when a neutron inside an unstable nucleus transforms into a proton during radioactive decay?

  1. Alpha particle
  2. Beta particle
  3. Positron
  4. Neutrino
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Answer: B

In beta decay, a neutron breaks down into a proton and a high-speed electron (beta particle).

2. Which statement correctly describes the term 'spontaneous decay' in radioactivity?

  1. The decay rate can be accelerated by heating the sample
  2. It occurs naturally without being affected by external factors such as temperature or pressure
  3. It is possible to pinpoint the exact time an individual nucleus will decay
  4. It occurs only when bombarded by high-energy X-rays
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Answer: B

Spontaneous decay happens naturally and is totally unaffected by physical or chemical conditions.

3. Nuclear fusion requires extremely high temperatures primarily to:

  1. Vaporize atomic nuclei
  2. Overcome electrostatic repulsion between positively charged nuclei
  3. Slow down neutrons
  4. Break covalent bonds
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Answer: B

Positively charged nuclei strongly repel each other. Extremely high thermal kinetic energy is required to force them close enough together to fuse.

4. Which sheet material is sufficient to completely stop alpha particles?

  1. A single sheet of paper
  2. 5 mm thick aluminium plate
  3. 10 cm thick concrete wall
  4. Lead container
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Answer: A

Alpha particles have low penetrating power and are absorbed by a thin sheet of paper.

5. Which of the following radioactive emissions possesses the strongest ionizing power?

  1. Alpha particle
  2. Beta particle
  3. Gamma ray
  4. Neutron beam
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Answer: A

Alpha particles (+2 charge, largest mass) have the highest power to ionize surrounding gas molecules.

6. Which equation correctly represents a nuclear fission reaction?

  1. ¹₄₆C -> ¹₄₇N + ⁰₋₁e
  2. ²₁H + ³₁H -> ⁴₂He + ¹₀n + Energy
  3. ²³⁵₉₂U + ¹₀n -> ¹₄¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²₃₆Kr + 3(¹₀n) + Energy
  4. ²²⁶₈₈Ra -> ²²²₈₆Rn + ⁴₂He
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Answer: C

Uranium-235 absorbing a neutron and splitting into Barium-141, Krypton-92, extra neutrons, and energy is a nuclear fission reaction.

7. When a Radon-222 nucleus ($^{222}_{86}Rn$) emits an alpha particle, what is the nucleon number and proton number of the daughter nucleus formed?

  1. Nucleon number = 218, Proton number = 84
  2. Nucleon number = 222, Proton number = 87
  3. Nucleon number = 218, Proton number = 85
  4. Nucleon number = 226, Proton number = 88
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Answer: A

Alpha emission removes 4 from nucleon number (222 - 4 = 218) and 2 from proton number (86 - 2 = 84).

8. An unstable isotope Carbon-14 ($^{14}_{6}C$) decays into Nitrogen-14 ($^{14}_{7}N$). What type of decay occurred?

  1. Alpha decay
  2. Beta decay
  3. Gamma emission
  4. Neutron emission
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Answer: B

Proton number increases by 1 (6 to 7) while nucleon number remains 14. This signifies beta emission ($^{0}_{-1}e$).

9. Which of the following processes is the main source of thermal and radiant energy produced by the Sun?

  1. Nuclear Fission
  2. Nuclear Fusion
  3. Alpha Decay
  4. Chemical Combustion
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Answer: B

The Sun generates energy by fusing Hydrogen isotopes (Deuterium and Tritium) into Helium nuclei under massive gravitational pressure and heat.

10. Calculate the energy released when a nuclear reaction produces a mass defect of 3.2 × 10⁻²⁸ kg. (c = 3.0 × 10⁸ m s⁻¹)

  1. 2.88 × 10⁻¹¹ J
  2. 9.60 × 10⁻²⁰ J
  3. 2.88 × 10⁻¹³ J
  4. 5.76 × 10⁻¹¹ J
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Answer: A

E = Δm × c² = (3.2 × 10⁻²⁸ kg) × (3.0 × 10⁸ m s⁻¹)² = 2.88 × 10⁻¹¹ J.

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