Question 1

The relation between the disintegration constant  λ\lambdaλ  and the half-life T of a radioactive substance is:

Accepted Answer

A)    λ\lambdaλ  = 2T
B)    λ\lambdaλ  = 1/T
C)    λ\lambdaλ  = 2/T
D)    λ\lambdaλ T = ln 2
E)    λ\lambdaλ T = ln(1/2)  F) C) and E)
G) C) and D)

Question 2

An atom of 235U (Z = 92)  disintegrates to 207Pb (Z = 82)  with a half-life of about a billion years by emitting seven alpha particles and ______  β\betaβ - particles:

Accepted Answer

A)   3
B)   4
C)   5
D)   6
E)   7 F) B) and D)
G) B) and C)

Question 3

Of the following which has the smallest rest energy?

Accepted Answer

A)   A neutron
B)   An electron
C)   An ion
D)   A proton
E)   An atomF) B) and D)
G) A) and B)

Question 4

The sievert is the correct unit to use in reporting the measurement of:

Accepted Answer

A)   the rate of decay of a radioactive source
B)   the ability of a beam of gamma ray photons to produce ions in a target
C)   the energy delivered by radiation to a target
D)   the biological effect of radiation
E)   none of the aboveF) A) and B)
G) B) and D)

Question 5

Radioactive element A decays to the stable element B with a half-life T. Starting with a sample of pure A and no B, which graph below correctly shows the number of A atoms, NA, as a function of time t? A, as a function of time t?   A)  I B)  II C)  III D)  IV E)  V" class="answers-bank-image d-inline" rel="preload" >

Accepted Answer

A)   I
B)   II
C)   III
D)   IV
E)   VF) C) and E)
G) A) and B)

Question 6

Rank the following collections of particles according to the total binding energy of all the particles in each collection, least to greatest.

Accepted Answer

A)   1,2,3
B)   3,2,1
C)   2,1,3
D)   1,3,2
E)   2,3,1F) A) and C)
G) D) and E)

Question 7

Which of the following nuclides is least likely to be detected?

Accepted Answer

A)   52Fe (Z = 26) 
B)   115Nd (Z = 60) 
C)   175Lu (Z = 71) 
D)   208Pb (Z = 82) 
E)   238U (Z = 92) F) A) and D)
G) A) and C)

Question 8

65Cu will be turned into 66Cu, with no accompanying product except a gamma ray, if bombarded with:

Accepted Answer

A)   protons
B)   neutrons
C)   deuterons
D)   electrons
E)   alpha particlesF) C) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 9

Stable nuclei generally:

Accepted Answer

A)   have a greater number of protons than neutrons
B)   have low mass numbers
C)   have high mass numbers
D)   are beta emitters
E)   none of the aboveF) D) and E)
G) A) and E)

Question 10

The energies of electrons emitted in  β\betaβ - decays have a continuous spectrum because:

Accepted Answer

A)   the original neutron has a continuous spectrum
B)   the neutrino can carry off energy
C)   the emitted electron is free
D)   energy is not conserved
E)   the daughter nucleus may have any energy F) C) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 11

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 140 days. In how many days does the decay rate of a sample of this isotope decrease to one fourth its initial decay rate?

Accepted Answer

A)   35
B)   105
C)   187
D)   210
E)   280F) B) and D)
G) A) and E)

Question 12

A nucleus with mass number A and atomic number Z undergoes  β\betaβ - decay. The mass number and atomic number, respectively, of the daughter nucleus are:

Accepted Answer

A)   A, Z - 1
B)   A - 1, Z
C)   A + 1, Z - 1
D)   A, Z + 1 E) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 13

In addition to the daughter nucleus and an electron or positron, the products of a beta decay include:

Accepted Answer

A)   a neutron
B)   a neutrino
C)   a proton
D)   an alpha particle
E)   no other particleF) D) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 14

A radioactive atom X emits a  β\betaβ - particle. The resulting atom:

Accepted Answer

A)   must be very reactive chemically
B)   has an atomic number that is one more than that of X
C)   has a mass number that is one less than that of X
D)   must be radioactive
E)   is the same chemical element as X F) A) and C)
G) C) and D)

Question 15

The half-life of a radioactive substance is:

Accepted Answer

A)   half the time it takes for the entire substance to decay
B)   usually about 50 years
C)   the time for radium to change into lead
D)   calculated from E = mc2
E)   the time for half the substance to decayF) C) and D)
G) B) and D)

Question 16

A beta particle is:

Accepted Answer

A)   a helium nucleus
B)   an electron or a positron
C)   a radioactive element
D)   any negative particle
E)   a hydrogen atomF) C) and E)
G) B) and E)

Question 17

If 204Tl (Z = 81)  emits a  β\betaβ - particle from its nucleus:

Accepted Answer

A)   stable Tl is formed
B)   202Hg (Z = 80)  is formed
C)   204Pb (Z = 82)  is formed
D)   radioactive Tl is formed
E)   197Au (Z = 79)  is formed F) A) and B)
G) A) and C)

Question 18

When ordinary sulfur, 32S (Z = 16) , is bombarded with neutrons, the products are 32P (Z = 15)  and:

Accepted Answer

A)   an alpha particle
B)   a proton
C)   a deuteron
D)   a gamma ray
E)   an electronF) A) and E)
G) None of the above

Question 19

If a nucleus has mass M, Z protons (mass mp)  and N neutrons (mass mn)  its binding energy is equal to:

Accepted Answer

A)   Mc2
B)   (M - Zmp - Nmn) c2
C)   (Zmp + Nmn - M) c2
D)   (Zmp + Nmn) c2
E)   (Zmp - M) c2F) A) and B)
G) B) and D)

Question 20

Iron has atomic number 26. Naturally mined iron contains isotopes of mass numbers 54, 56, 57, and 58. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

A)   every atom of iron has 26 protons
B)   some iron atoms have 30 neutrons
C)   some iron atoms have 54 neutrons
D)   the isotopes may be separated in a mass spectrometer
E)   there are four kinds of naturally occurring iron atoms with the same chemical propertiesF) C) and D)
G) D) and E)

Exam 42: Nuclear Physics

A radioactive atom X emits a β\betaβ - particle. The resulting atom:

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65Cu will be turned into 66Cu, with no accompanying product except a gamma ray, if bombarded with:

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In addition to the daughter nucleus and an electron or positron, the products of a beta decay include:

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If 204Tl (Z = 81) emits a β\betaβ - particle from its nucleus:

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The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 140 days. In how many days does the decay rate of a sample of this isotope decrease to one fourth its initial decay rate?

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Rank the following collections of particles according to the total binding energy of all the particles in each collection, least to greatest.

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When ordinary sulfur, 32S (Z = 16) , is bombarded with neutrons, the products are 32P (Z = 15) and:

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The energies of electrons emitted in β\betaβ - decays have a continuous spectrum because:

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Iron has atomic number 26. Naturally mined iron contains isotopes of mass numbers 54, 56, 57, and 58. Which of the following statements is FALSE?

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Stable nuclei generally:

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If a nucleus has mass M, Z protons (mass mp) and N neutrons (mass mn) its binding energy is equal to:

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Which of the following nuclides is least likely to be detected?

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The relation between the disintegration constant λ\lambdaλ and the half-life T of a radioactive substance is:

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An atom of 235U (Z = 92) disintegrates to 207Pb (Z = 82) with a half-life of about a billion years by emitting seven alpha particles and ______ β\betaβ - particles:

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A beta particle is:

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A nucleus with mass number A and atomic number Z undergoes β\betaβ - decay. The mass number and atomic number, respectively, of the daughter nucleus are:

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The sievert is the correct unit to use in reporting the measurement of:

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Radioactive element A decays to the stable element B with a half-life T. Starting with a sample of pure A and no B, which graph below correctly shows the number of A atoms, NA, as a function of time t?

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The half-life of a radioactive substance is:

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Of the following which has the smallest rest energy?

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A radioactive atom X emits a $\beta$ ^- particle. The resulting atom:

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⁶⁵Cu will be turned into ⁶⁶Cu, with no accompanying product except a gamma ray, if bombarded with:

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If ²⁰⁴Tl (Z = 81) emits a $\beta$ ^- particle from its nucleus:

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When ordinary sulfur, ³²S (Z = 16) , is bombarded with neutrons, the products are ³²P (Z = 15) and:

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The energies of electrons emitted in $\beta$ ^- decays have a continuous spectrum because:

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If a nucleus has mass M, Z protons (mass m_p) and N neutrons (mass m_n) its binding energy is equal to:

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The relation between the disintegration constant $\lambda$ and the half-life T of a radioactive substance is:

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An atom of ²³⁵U (Z = 92) disintegrates to ²⁰⁷Pb (Z = 82) with a half-life of about a billion years by emitting seven alpha particles and ______ $\beta$ ^- particles:

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A nucleus with mass number A and atomic number Z undergoes $\beta$ ^- decay. The mass number and atomic number, respectively, of the daughter nucleus are:

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Radioactive element A decays to the stable element B with a half-life T. Starting with a sample of pure A and no B, which graph below correctly shows the number of A atoms, N_A, as a function of time t?

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