3.1 Quiz - Nuclear Emissions

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1. The nucleus of U-238 is unstable. This causes U-238 to spontaneously...

Oxidize

Decay

Reduce

Combine

Unstable nuclei are due to the neutron-to-proton ratio being greater than 1.5:1, causing the nucleus to spontaneously decay or break down.

Explanation

Unstable nuclei are due to the neutron-to-proton ratio being greater than 1.5:1, causing the nucleus to spontaneously decay or break down.

About This Quiz

The '3.1 Quiz - Nuclear Emissions' assesses understanding of nuclear stability and decay types, focusing on properties and effects of alpha, beta, and gamma emissions. It's crucial for learners studying nuclear physics, providing insights into fundamental atomic behaviors.

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2. Which nuclear decay has the greatest penetrating power and the least mass?

Alpha

Beta

Gamma

Positron

Gamma radiation has the greatest penetrating power (remember: alpha, beta, gamma), but the least mass (0 amu, top number on Table O).

Explanation

Gamma radiation has the greatest penetrating power (remember: alpha, beta, gamma), but the least mass (0 amu, top number on Table O).

3. Which nuclear emission has the most mass and least penetrating power?

Gamma radiation

Alpha particles

Beta particles

Positrons

Alpha particles have the greatest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O), but the least penetrating power (remember: alphabetical order... Alpha, Beta, Gamma).

Explanation

Alpha particles have the greatest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O), but the least penetrating power (remember: alphabetical order... Alpha, Beta, Gamma).

4. Which nuclear decay consists of helium nuclei?

Positrons

Alpha particles

Beta particles

Gamma radiation

Alpha particles equal helium nuclei. They have a mass of 4 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

Explanation

Alpha particles equal helium nuclei. They have a mass of 4 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

5. Without looking at a graph, why is O-16 a stable nuclide?

Because it has a 8:1 ratio of protons to neutrons

Because it has a 1:1 neutron-to-proton ratio

Because it has a 1.6:1 neutron-to-proton ratio

Because it has a 16:8 proton-to-neutron ratio

The number of protons equals atomic number. The number of neutrons equals mass number (16 for O-16) minus atomic number (8 for O-16). The band of stability (range of stabilities for neutron-to-proton ratios) is 1:1-1.5:1. Any nuclide with a neutron-to-proton ratio in this range is stable and will not spontaneously decay.

Explanation

6. Which nuclear decay consists of electrons?

Positrons

Gamma particles

Alpha particles

Beta particles

Beta particles equal electrons. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of -1 (bottom number, Table O).

Explanation

Beta particles equal electrons. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of -1 (bottom number, Table O).

7. Which nuclear decay consists of energy, only?

Gamma

Alpha

Beta

Positrons

Gamma particles are equivalent to energy. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of 0 (bottom number, Table O).

Explanation

Gamma particles are equivalent to energy. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of 0 (bottom number, Table O).

8. Which list correctly ranks nuclear emissions in order of increasing mass?

Alpha, beta, gamma, positron

Beta/Gamma/Positron, Alpha

Beta, Alpha, Gamma, Positron

Positron, Alpha, Gamma, Beta

Beta, Gamma, and Positrons all have a mass of 0 amu (top number on Table O), meaning smallest mass. Alpha particles have the largest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O).

Explanation

Beta, Gamma, and Positrons all have a mass of 0 amu (top number on Table O), meaning smallest mass. Alpha particles have the largest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O).

9. Which list correctly organizes nuclear emissions in order of increasing charge?

Beta, Positron, Gamma, Alpha

Positron, Beta, Gamma, Alpha

Beta, Gamma, Positron, Alpha

Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Positron

Beta particles have the smallest charge of -1, Gamma particles have a charge of 0, Positrons have a charge of +1, Alpha particles have a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

Explanation

Beta particles have the smallest charge of -1, Gamma particles have a charge of 0, Positrons have a charge of +1, Alpha particles have a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

10. Which of the following correctly lists the number of protons, the number of neutrons, the mass number, and the nuclide notation for N on this graph? (ONLY use this graph. Do not look at other references. I want you to test how much you know!!!!)