Quiz Chapter 6: Nuclear Physics

1. 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

2. 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

3. Why is nuclear fusion not yet used as a commercial source of electricity on Earth?

1. Fusion produces radioactive waste that lasts millions of years
2. It requires high temperature and pressure conditions that are difficult to contain safely and economically
3. Fusion fuel is extremely rare on Earth
4. Fusion releases zero energy

4. 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

5. In a nuclear reaction, the total mass before reaction is 235.0439 u and after reaction is 234.8215 u. What is the mass defect (Δm)?

1. 0.2224 u
2. 0.1224 u
3. 0.3124 u
4. 0.0224 u

6. What is the primary function of the MODERATOR in a nuclear fission reactor?

1. To absorb excess neutrons and stop chain reaction
2. To slow down fast-moving neutrons so they can cause further fission
3. To prevent radioactive radiation leakage to the surroundings
4. To cool down the reactor core liquid

7. Convert 1.5 atomic mass units (u) into kilograms. (1 u = 1.66 × 10⁻²⁷ kg)

1. 2.49 × 10⁻²7 kg
2. 1.11 × 10⁻²7 kg
3. 3.32 × 10⁻²7 kg
4. 2.49 × 10⁻²⁹ kg

8. 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

9. 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

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

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