Atomic And Nuclear Physics Hardest Quiz!

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1/62 Questions

The emission and absorption spectra of different elements provides evidence for the existence of
- Isotopes
- Neutrons
- Protons
- Atomic energy levels

About This Quiz

What we have here is considered atomic and nuclear physics hardest quiz! A lot of people are confused about what makes atomic and nuclear physics is centered on. While one focuses on the atom the other focuses n protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Do you know the different types of energy and how they are obtained? The quiz below See morewill be a perfect refresher for you. Do give it a try and see how well you do!

Atomic And Nuclear Physics Hardest Quiz! - Quiz

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2.

The nuclear notation for cadmium-114 is Which one of the following correctly shows the composition of this nucleus? Number of protons Number of neutrons Number of nucleons A. 48 66 114 B. 48 114 162 C. 66 48 114 D. 66 48 162
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A

Explanation

The correct answer is A. In the nuclear notation for cadmium-114, the number of protons is 48, the number of neutrons is 66, and the number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) is 114.

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3.

The main source of the Sun’s energy is
- Chemical reaction
- Natural radioactivity
- Nuclear fusion
- Nuclear fission
Correct Answer

A. Nuclear fusion

Explanation

The correct answer is nuclear fusion. Nuclear fusion is the process in which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. This is the main source of energy for the Sun and other stars. In the Sun's core, hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the process. This energy is what powers the Sun and allows it to emit light and heat.

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4.

Isotopes provide evidence for the existence of
- Protons
- Electrons
- Nuclei
- Neutrons
Correct Answer

A. Neutrons

Explanation

Isotopes provide evidence for the existence of neutrons because isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. This means that isotopes have the same number of protons and electrons, but different numbers of neutrons. By studying isotopes, scientists can determine the number of neutrons in an atom, which provides evidence for the existence of neutrons as a subatomic particle.

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5.

The source of the Sun’s energy is
- Fission
- Radioactivity
- Fusion
- Ionization
Correct Answer

A. Fusion

Explanation

The correct answer is fusion. Fusion is the process in which two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This is the source of the Sun's energy, as it fuses hydrogen nuclei to form helium, releasing a tremendous amount of energy in the form of light and heat. Fission, radioactivity, and ionization are not the correct answers as they do not accurately describe the source of the Sun's energy.

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6.

When the isotope aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, the following nuclear reaction can take place Which one of the following correctly gives the atomic (proton) number and mass (nucleon) number of the nucleus X? Proton number Nucleon number A. 15 30 B. 16 31 C. 30 15 D. 31 16
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A

Explanation

When aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, a nuclear reaction takes place. The atomic (proton) number of the resulting nucleus X is 15, which is the same as the atomic number of aluminium. The mass (nucleon) number of the resulting nucleus X is 30, which is the sum of the nucleon numbers of aluminium (27) and the alpha particle (2). Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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7.

The nucleus of an atom contains protons. The protons are prevented from flying apart by
- The presence of orbiting electrons
- The presence of gravitational forces
- The presence of strong attractive nuclear forces
- The absence of Coulomb repulsive forces at nuclear distances
Correct Answer

A. The presence of strong attractive nuclear forces

Explanation

The correct answer is the presence of strong attractive nuclear forces. These forces, also known as the strong nuclear force, are responsible for holding the protons together in the nucleus despite the repulsive forces between them due to their positive charges. Without these strong forces, the protons would repel each other and the nucleus would break apart. The presence of orbiting electrons and gravitational forces are not the main factors that prevent the protons from flying apart, and the absence of Coulomb repulsive forces is not accurate as these forces do exist but are counteracted by the strong nuclear forces.

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8.

Ag-102, Ag-103, and Ag-104 are three isotopes of the element silver. Which one of the following is a true statement about the nuclei of these isotopes?
- All have the same mass
- All have the same number of nucleons
- All have the same number of neutrons
- All have the same number of protons
Correct Answer

A. All have the same number of protons

Explanation

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons, as they belong to the same element. The number of protons determines the atomic number of an element. Therefore, Ag-102, Ag-103, and Ag-104 all have the same number of protons.

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9.

The unified mass unit is defined as the rest mass of
- A proton
- An atom of carbon-12 divided by 12
- An atom of carbon-12
- An atom of hydrogen-1
Correct Answer

A. An atom of carbon-12 divided by 12

Explanation

The unified mass unit is defined as the rest mass of an atom of carbon-12 divided by 12. This means that the mass of one atom of carbon-12 is divided by 12 to obtain the unified mass unit. This measurement is used to compare the masses of different particles and atoms on a unified scale, allowing for easier calculations and comparisons in the field of atomic and nuclear physics.

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10.

Which of the following gives the correct number of protons and number of neutrons in the nucleus of Number of protons Number of neutrons A. 5 6 B. 5 11 C. 6 5 D. 11 5
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A

Explanation

Option A states that the nucleus has 5 protons and 6 neutrons. The number of protons in an atom determines its atomic number, which in this case is 5. The number of neutrons is calculated by subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, which gives us 6 neutrons. Therefore, option A correctly provides the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

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11.

The number of nucleons in a nucleus is the number of
- Particles in the nucleus
- Neutrons in the nucleus
- Protons in the nucleus
- Protons plus neutrons in the nucleus
Correct Answer

A. Protons plus neutrons in the nucleus

Explanation

The number of nucleons in a nucleus refers to the total number of particles present in the nucleus. Nucleons include both protons and neutrons, so the correct answer is "protons plus neutrons in the nucleus". This answer accounts for both types of particles and gives a comprehensive count of all the nucleons in the nucleus.

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12.

Which one of the following correctly identifies the atomic (proton) number and mass (nucleon) number of a nucleus that has neutrons n and protons p? Atomic number Mass number A. p n B. p n + p C. n p D. n + p p
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

The correct answer is B because the atomic number (proton number) is represented by p, and the mass number (nucleon number) is represented by the sum of neutrons (n) and protons (p), which is n + p.

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13.

When the isotope aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, the following nuclear reaction can take place. Which one of the following correctly gives the atomic (proton) number and mass (nucleon) number of the nucleus X? Proton number Nucleon number A. 15 30 B. 16 31 C. 30 15 D. 31 16
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A

Explanation

When aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, it can undergo a nuclear reaction in which an alpha particle (2 protons and 2 neutrons) is added to the aluminium-27 nucleus. This results in the formation of a new nucleus, X. Since an alpha particle has 2 protons, the proton number of nucleus X will be 13 (the original proton number of aluminium-27) + 2 = 15. The nucleon number of nucleus X will be 27 (the original nucleon number of aluminium-27) + 4 (2 protons and 2 neutrons from the alpha particle) = 30. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

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14.

The existence of isotopes provides evidence for the presence of
- Electrons in atomic energy levels
- Electrons in the nuclei of atoms
- Neutrons in the nuclei of atoms
- Protons in the nuclei of atoms
Correct Answer

A. Neutrons in the nuclei of atoms

Explanation

The existence of isotopes provides evidence for the presence of neutrons in the nuclei of atoms. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons. Since neutrons are found in the nucleus of an atom, the existence of isotopes suggests that there must be neutrons present in the nucleus. Electrons are found in atomic energy levels, not in the nucleus. Protons are also found in the nucleus, but the existence of isotopes does not specifically provide evidence for their presence.

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15.

The presence of neutrons inside the nucleus is supported by the existence of
- Isotopes
- Orbiting electrons
- Gamma radiation
- Neutral atoms
Correct Answer

A. Isotopes

Explanation

The presence of neutrons inside the nucleus is supported by the existence of isotopes. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This means that different isotopes of an element have different atomic masses. The existence of isotopes demonstrates that there must be particles other than protons present in the nucleus, since the atomic mass is not always equal to the number of protons. Therefore, the presence of isotopes supports the idea that neutrons exist within the nucleus.

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16.

Which one of the following provides evidence for a nuclear model of the atom?
- Natural radioactive decay
- The ionizing properties of radiation
- The stability of certain elements
- The scattering of alpha particles by gold foil
Correct Answer

A. The scattering of alpha particles by gold foil

Explanation

The scattering of alpha particles by gold foil provides evidence for a nuclear model of the atom. This experiment, conducted by Ernest Rutherford, involved firing alpha particles at a thin gold foil. According to the prevailing model at the time, the plum pudding model, the positive charge in the atom was thought to be spread out evenly throughout the atom. However, Rutherford's experiment showed that some alpha particles were deflected at large angles or even bounced back, indicating that the positive charge must be concentrated in a small, dense nucleus at the center of the atom. This observation supported the nuclear model of the atom.

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17.

Which of the following provides evidence for the existence of neutrons?
- The Geiger-Marsden experiment
- Isotopes
- Natural radioactive decay
- Artificial transmutations of elements
Correct Answer

A. Isotopes

Explanation

Isotopes provide evidence for the existence of neutrons because they are variants of an element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This indicates that there must be a neutral particle present in the nucleus of an atom, which is the neutron. By studying the different isotopes of an element and their properties, scientists have been able to gather evidence for the existence of neutrons.

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18.

The unified mass unit is defined as
- The mass of one neutral atom of carbon-12
- 1/12 of the mass of one neutral atom of carbon-12
- 1/6 of the mass of one neutral atom of carbon-12
- The mass of the nucleus of carbon-12
Correct Answer

A. 1/12 of the mass of one neutral atom of carbon-12

Explanation

The unified mass unit is defined as 1/12 of the mass of one neutral atom of carbon-12. This means that the mass of one carbon-12 atom is divided into 12 equal parts, and each part is considered as one unified mass unit. This standardizes the measurement of mass and allows for easy comparison between different atoms and molecules.

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19.

Which one of the following diagrams best illustrates the first two stages of an uncontrolled fission chain reaction?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

Diagram B best illustrates the first two stages of an uncontrolled fission chain reaction. In this diagram, a neutron is shown colliding with a uranium-235 nucleus, causing it to split into two smaller nuclei and releasing additional neutrons. These released neutrons can then go on to collide with other uranium-235 nuclei, creating a chain reaction. This diagram accurately represents the initial stages of an uncontrolled fission chain reaction, where the reaction is self-sustaining and can rapidly escalate.

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20.

When the isotope aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, the following nuclear reaction can take place. Which of the following correctly gives the atomic (proton) number and mass (nucleon) number of the nucleus X? Proton number Nucleon number A. 15 30 B. 16 31 C. 30 15 D. 31 16
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A

Explanation

When the isotope aluminium-27 is bombarded with alpha particles, it undergoes alpha decay, resulting in the formation of a new nucleus. In this reaction, an alpha particle (which has a proton number of 2 and a nucleon number of 4) is emitted from the original nucleus, reducing its proton number by 2 and its nucleon number by 4. Therefore, the resulting nucleus, X, will have a proton number of 13 (27 - 2) and a nucleon number of 26 (27 - 4). Therefore, the correct answer is A, with a proton number of 15 and a nucleon number of 30.

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21.

Which of the following provides evidence for the existence of atomic energy levels?
- The absorption line spectra of gases
- The existence of isotopes of elements
- Energy release during fission reactions
- The scattering of α -particles by a thin metal film
Correct Answer

A. The absorption line spectra of gases

Explanation

The absorption line spectra of gases provide evidence for the existence of atomic energy levels. When light passes through a gas, certain wavelengths are absorbed by the gas atoms, resulting in dark lines in the spectrum. These lines correspond to specific energy transitions within the atoms, indicating that the energy levels of the atoms are quantized. This observation supports the idea that electrons in atoms can only occupy specific energy levels, and can transition between these levels by absorbing or emitting photons of specific energies.

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1
22.
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. A
23.

A neutron is captured by a nucleus. Which of the following gives the changes in the atomic (proton) number and mass (nucleon) number of the nucleus? Atomic number Mass number A. unchanged unchanged B. unchanged increases by 1 C. increases by 1 unchanged D. increases by 1 increases by 1
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

When a neutron is captured by a nucleus, it is converted into a proton. This means that the atomic (proton) number of the nucleus increases by 1. However, the mass (nucleon) number remains unchanged because a neutron and a proton have the same mass. Therefore, the correct answer is B, where the atomic number increases by 1 and the mass number remains unchanged.

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2
24.

Radioactive decay is a random process. This means that
- A radioactive sample will decay continuously
- Some nuclei will decay faster than others
- It cannot be predicted how much energy will be released
- It cannot be predicted when a particular nucleus will decay
Correct Answer

A. It cannot be predicted when a particular nucleus will decay

Explanation

Radioactive decay is a random process, meaning that it occurs spontaneously and cannot be predicted. While we can determine the average rate of decay for a large number of nuclei, we cannot predict when a specific nucleus will decay. This is due to the inherent uncertainty in quantum mechanics, which governs the behavior of individual particles. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the exact timing of decay for a particular nucleus.

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25.

The equation of a nuclear reaction is shown below. The reaction is an example of
- Artificial transmutation
- Fission
- Natural radioactivity
- Fusion
Correct Answer

A. Fusion

Explanation

The equation of the nuclear reaction shows the combination of two smaller nuclei to form a larger nucleus. This process is known as fusion. In fusion, the nuclei come together and release a large amount of energy. This is the process that powers the sun and other stars, where hydrogen nuclei combine to form helium. Therefore, the given equation represents a fusion reaction.

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26.

The initial activity (rate of decay) of a sample of mass 25 mg of a radioactive isotope is A. The half-life of the isotope is T. Which of the following gives the initial activity and half-life of a sample of mass 50 mg of this isotope? Activity Half-life A. A T B. 2A T C. A 2T D. 2A 2T
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

The initial activity of a radioactive isotope is directly proportional to its mass. Since the mass of the sample in option B is twice that of the initial sample, the initial activity would also be twice as much. The half-life of a radioactive isotope is a constant property and does not depend on the mass of the sample. Therefore, the half-life of the isotope would remain the same in option B.

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27.

The diagram below shows the path followed by an alpha-particle in the vicinity of the nucleus of a gold atom. Which of the following is correct for the alpha-particle?
- The force acting on it changes direction
- The force acting on it is smaller than that acting on the nucleus
- Its potential energy is constant
- Its kinetic energy is constant
Correct Answer

A. The force acting on it changes direction

Explanation

The correct answer is that the force acting on the alpha-particle changes direction. This is because as the alpha-particle moves closer to the nucleus of the gold atom, it experiences a repulsive electrostatic force due to the positive charge of the nucleus. As it moves away from the nucleus, the force changes direction and becomes attractive, causing the alpha-particle to change its path. This change in direction of the force indicates that the force acting on the alpha-particle changes direction.

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28.

A student suggests that the following transformation may take place. Measurement of rest masses shows that total rest mass() < total rest mass() The student concludes that the reaction will
- Take place if the helium nucleus has sufficient kinetic energy
- Always take place and the proton will be emitted with kinetic energy
- Always take place but the proton will have zero kinetic energy
- Never take place because there is no mass defect
Correct Answer

A. Take place if the helium nucleus has sufficient kinetic energy

Explanation

The student suggests that the transformation will take place if the helium nucleus has sufficient kinetic energy. This implies that the reaction requires an input of energy in order to occur. The statement about the total rest mass being less than the total rest mass suggests that there is a decrease in mass during the reaction, which is consistent with a nuclear reaction. Therefore, the correct answer is that the reaction will take place if the helium nucleus has sufficient kinetic energy.

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1
29.

Radioactive element P has a half-life of 30 days and element Q has a half-life of 20 days. Initially, a radioactive source contains equal numbers of each element. What is the ratio number of atoms of P / number of atoms of Q after 60 days have elapsed?
- 1/2
- 2/3
- 3/2
- 2
Correct Answer

A. 2

Explanation

After 30 days, element P will have undergone one half-life, reducing the number of atoms by half. After 60 days, element P will have undergone two half-lives, reducing the number of atoms to one-fourth of the initial amount. Similarly, after 20 days, element Q will have undergone one half-life, reducing the number of atoms by half. After 60 days, element Q will have undergone three half-lives, reducing the number of atoms to one-eighth of the initial amount. Therefore, the ratio of the number of atoms of P to the number of atoms of Q after 60 days is 1/4 divided by 1/8, which equals 2.

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0
30.

Which one of the following correctly gives the number of electrons, protons and neutrons in a neutral atom of the nuclide ? Number of electrons Number of protons Number of neutrons A. 65 29 36 B. 36 36 29 C. 29 29 65 D. 29 29 36
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. D

Explanation

The correct answer is D because a neutral atom has an equal number of electrons and protons. In this case, there are 29 electrons and 29 protons. The number of neutrons is not equal to the number of protons or electrons, so there are 36 neutrons in this atom.

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2
31.

The graph below illustrates the variation with nucleon number (mass number) N of the binding energy per nucleon E of nuclei. Which of the labelled nuclei is the most stable?
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. C

Explanation

The most stable nucleus is the one with the highest binding energy per nucleon. From the graph, it can be observed that nucleus C has the highest value of binding energy per nucleon compared to the other labelled nuclei. This indicates that nucleus C is the most stable among the given options.

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32.

Which one of the following correctly identifies the mass and momentum of a photon? Mass Momentum A. zero zero B. zero non-zero C. non-zero zero D. non-zero non-zero
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

A photon is a massless particle, meaning it has zero mass. However, a photon does have momentum, which is non-zero. This is because momentum is defined as the product of mass and velocity, and even though a photon has no mass, it still has velocity due to its wave-like nature. Therefore, the correct identification for the mass and momentum of a photon is zero and non-zero, respectively.

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33.

The initial activity of a sample of a radioactive isotope of half-life 10 hours is A. What is the age of the sample when its activity is A/32?
- 30 hours
- 40 hours
- 50 hours
- 320 hours
Correct Answer

A. 50 hours

Explanation

The half-life of a radioactive isotope is the time it takes for half of the initial activity to decay. In this case, the half-life is given as 10 hours. So, after 10 hours, the activity of the sample would be A/2. After another 10 hours (total of 20 hours), the activity would be A/4. Continuing this pattern, after 40 hours, the activity would be A/32, which matches the given activity. Therefore, the age of the sample when its activity is A/32 is 40 hours.

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34.

In a fission chain reaction
- Energy from one fission reaction causes further fission reactions
- Nuclei produced in one fission reaction cause further fission reactions
- Neutrons from one fission reaction cause further fission reactions
- Gamma radiation produced in one fission reaction causes further fission reactions
Correct Answer

A. Neutrons from one fission reaction cause further fission reactions

Explanation

Neutrons from one fission reaction cause further fission reactions. In a fission chain reaction, the nucleus of an atom is split into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. This process also releases neutrons, which can then collide with other atomic nuclei, causing them to undergo fission as well. These new fission reactions release more energy and more neutrons, which continue the chain reaction. Therefore, it is the neutrons from one fission reaction that initiate and sustain further fission reactions in a chain reaction.

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35.

Which of the following identifies the significant interaction(s) between nucleons inside the nucleus?
- Nuclear only
- Coulomb only
- Nuclear and Coulomb
- Gravitational, nuclear and Coulomb
Correct Answer

A. Nuclear and Coulomb

Explanation

The significant interactions between nucleons inside the nucleus are the nuclear and Coulomb interactions. The nuclear interaction is the strong force that holds the protons and neutrons together in the nucleus, while the Coulomb interaction is the electromagnetic force between the positively charged protons. These two interactions are responsible for the stability and structure of the nucleus. Gravitational force is negligible in comparison to the other forces and does not play a significant role in the interactions between nucleons inside the nucleus.

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36.

The variation with thickness x of the number n of α-particles penetrating a material is shown below. What can be deduced from the graph about the α-particles?
- The α-particles have approximately the same initial energy
- The range is independent of the initial energy
- The α-particles produce high levels of ionization
- The α-particles have a large mass
Correct Answer

A. The α-particles have approximately the same initial energy

Explanation

From the graph, it can be deduced that the α-particles have approximately the same initial energy. This is because the graph shows that the number of α-particles penetrating a material does not vary significantly with the thickness of the material. If the α-particles had different initial energies, there would be a noticeable variation in the number of particles penetrating the material at different thicknesses. However, since the graph shows a relatively constant number of particles, it suggests that the initial energy of the α-particles is approximately the same.

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1
37.

The binding energy per nucleon of the nucleus is approximately 5 MeV. The total energy required to completely separate the nucleons of this nucleus is approximately
- 15 MeV
- 20 MeV
- 35 MeV
- 50 MeV
Correct Answer

A. 35 MeV

Explanation

The binding energy per nucleon of a nucleus represents the energy required to separate one nucleon from the nucleus. Since the binding energy per nucleon is approximately 5 MeV, it means that it would take approximately 5 MeV of energy to remove each nucleon from the nucleus. Therefore, to completely separate all the nucleons in the nucleus, we would need to multiply the binding energy per nucleon by the total number of nucleons in the nucleus. Since the total energy required to completely separate the nucleons is directly proportional to the number of nucleons, and the binding energy per nucleon is 5 MeV, the total energy required is approximately 35 MeV.

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38.

Which one of the following provides direct evidence for the existence of discrete energy levels in an atom?
- The continuous spectrum of the light emitted by a white-hot metal
- The line emission spectrum of a gas at low pressure
- The emission of gamma radiation from radioactive atoms
- The ionization of gas atoms when bombarded by alpha particles
Correct Answer

A. The line emission spectrum of a gas at low pressure

Explanation

The line emission spectrum of a gas at low pressure provides direct evidence for the existence of discrete energy levels in an atom. When a gas at low pressure is excited, it emits light at specific wavelengths, creating a series of distinct colored lines in its spectrum. Each line corresponds to a specific energy level transition in the atoms of the gas. This observation supports the idea that electrons in atoms can only occupy certain discrete energy levels, and that they can transition between these levels by absorbing or emitting photons of specific energies.

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39.

A nuclide X has a half-life of 10 s. On decay, the stable nuclide Y is formed. Initially, a sample contains only atoms of X. After what time will 87.5% of the atoms in the sample have decayed into nuclide Y.
- 9.0 s
- 30 s
- 70 s
- 80 s
Correct Answer

A. 30 s

Explanation

After one half-life, 50% of the atoms in the sample will have decayed into nuclide Y. Therefore, after two half-lives, 75% of the atoms will have decayed. Since the half-life of nuclide X is 10 s, two half-lives will take 20 s. However, the question asks for the time at which 87.5% of the atoms have decayed, which is closer to three half-lives. Therefore, the correct answer is 30 s, which is three times the half-life of nuclide X.

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40.

The Geiger-Marsden alpha particle scattering experiment provides evidence for the existence of
- Atomic nuclei
- Neutrons
- Protons
- Nuclear energy levels
Correct Answer

A. Atomic nuclei

Explanation

The Geiger-Marsden alpha particle scattering experiment involved firing alpha particles at a thin gold foil. The observation that some of the alpha particles were deflected by large angles indicated the presence of a concentrated positive charge within the atom, which is now known as the atomic nucleus. This experiment provided evidence for the existence of atomic nuclei, as it showed that the majority of the atom's mass and positive charge is concentrated in a small, dense region at the center of the atom.

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3
41.

Nuclide X has a half-life of 1 day and nuclide Y has a half-life of 5 days. In a particular sample, the activities of X and Y are found to be equal. When the activity is tested again after 10 days, the activity will be
- Entirely due to nuclide X
- Due equally to nuclides X and Y
- Mostly due to nuclide X
- Mostly due to nuclide Y
Correct Answer

A. Mostly due to nuclide Y

Explanation

After 10 days, nuclide X would have undergone 10 half-lives, resulting in a decrease in activity by a factor of 2^10 (1024). On the other hand, nuclide Y would have undergone 2 half-lives, resulting in a decrease in activity by a factor of 2^2 (4). Since the initial activities of X and Y were equal, the activity after 10 days would be mostly due to nuclide Y, as it would have decayed at a slower rate compared to nuclide X.

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42.

Monochromatic light is incident on a metal surface in a photocell. Which of the following statements is correct?
- The rate at which electrons are emitted from the surface is proportional to the intensity of the radiation
- The rate at which electrons are emitted from the surface depends only on the frequency of the radiation used
- The intensity of the radiation used must be greater than a threshold value in order to emit electrons
- The wavelength of the radiation must be greater than a threshold value in order to emit electrons
Correct Answer

A. The rate at which electrons are emitted from the surface is proportional to the intensity of the radiation

Explanation

The correct answer is that the rate at which electrons are emitted from the surface is proportional to the intensity of the radiation. This means that as the intensity of the incident light increases, the rate at which electrons are emitted from the metal surface also increases. This is because the energy of the incident photons determines the kinetic energy of the emitted electrons, and higher intensity light means more photons and therefore more energy available to transfer to the electrons.

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43.
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. C
44.

A nucleus decays by the emission of an electron. What are the mass (nucleon) number and the atomic (proton) number of the resulting nucleus? Mass number Proton number A. 89 38 B. 90 39 C. 91 38 D. 91 39
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct Answer

A. B

Explanation

When a nucleus decays by the emission of an electron, it undergoes beta decay. In beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, and an electron (also known as a beta particle) is emitted. The mass number of the resulting nucleus remains the same because only the proton number changes. Therefore, the mass number of the resulting nucleus is 90, and the proton number is 39.

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45.

In the Geiger-Marsden experiment, α particles are scattered by gold nuclei. The experimental results indicate that most α particles are
- Scattered only at small angles
- Scattered only at large angles
- Absorbed in the target
- Scattered back along the original direction.
Correct Answer

A. Scattered only at small angles

Explanation

The Geiger-Marsden experiment involved scattering alpha particles off gold nuclei. The experimental results showed that most alpha particles were scattered only at small angles. This suggests that the gold nuclei have a positive charge concentrated in a small region, causing the alpha particles to be deflected by a small angle as they pass close to the nuclei. This observation supports the idea that atoms have a small, dense, positively charged nucleus, which was a significant finding in the development of the atomic model.

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1
46.

An isotope of radium has a half-life of 4 days. A freshly prepared sample of this isotope contains N atoms. The time taken for 7N/8 of the atoms of this isotope to decay is
- 32 days
- 16 days
- 12 days
- 8 days
Correct Answer

A. 12 days

Explanation

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay. In this case, the half-life of the radium isotope is 4 days.
The decay of a radioactive substance follows an exponential decay law, which can be written as:
N(t)=N0×(1/2)t/T
where:
N(t) is the number of atoms at time t,
N0 is the initial number of atoms,
T is the half-life of the substance.
You want to find the time t when N(t)=N/8, which means 7N/8 of the atoms have decayed.
Setting up the equation gives us:
N/8=N×(1/2)t/4
Solving for t gives us:
t=4×log2(8)=12 days
So, it will take 12 days for 7N/8 of the atoms of this isotope to decay.

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0
47.

Which of the following statements best describes the random nature of radioactive decay?
- The decaying nucleus emits either an alpha-particle, or a beta-particle or a gamma-ray photon
- The type of radiation emitted by the decaying nucleus cannot be predicted
- The time at which a particular nucleus will decay cannot be predicted
- The decay of a nucleus is unaffected by environmental conditions
Correct Answer

A. The time at which a particular nucleus will decay cannot be predicted

Explanation

The random nature of radioactive decay is best described by the statement that the time at which a particular nucleus will decay cannot be predicted. This means that there is no way to determine exactly when an individual nucleus will undergo decay. While the type of radiation emitted by the decaying nucleus can be predicted based on its decay mode, the timing of the decay event is inherently random and unpredictable. This randomness is a fundamental characteristic of radioactive decay and is not influenced by any external factors or environmental conditions.

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5
48.

A sample of radioactive carbon-14 decays into a stable isotope of nitrogen. As the carbon-14 decays, the rate at which the amount of nitrogen is produced.
- Decreases linearly with time
- Increases linearly with time
- Decreases exponentially with time
- Increases exponentially with time
Correct Answer

A. Decreases exponentially with time

Explanation

The decay of radioactive carbon-14 into a stable isotope of nitrogen follows an exponential decay model. This means that as time passes, the rate at which the amount of nitrogen is produced decreases exponentially. This is because the half-life of carbon-14 is constant, and as more time passes, the proportion of remaining carbon-14 atoms decreases. Therefore, the rate of nitrogen production decreases exponentially with time.

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49.

Radioactive element P has a half-life of 30 days and element Q has a half-life of 20 days. Initially a radioactive source contains equal numbers of each element. What is the ratio after 60 days have elapsed?
- 1/2
- 2/3
- 3/2
- 2
Correct Answer

A. 2

Explanation

After 30 days, element P would have decayed by half, leaving only half of the initial amount. After 60 days, element P would have decayed again by half, leaving only a quarter of the initial amount. Since element Q has a half-life of 20 days, after 60 days it would have decayed 3 times, leaving only 1/8 of the initial amount. Therefore, the ratio of element P to element Q after 60 days is 1/8 divided by 1/4, which equals 2.

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2

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