Radioactivity: Types, Half-Life, and Nuclear Reactions

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT considered radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Neutron capture

Answer

Alpha emission

Answer

Beta emission

Answer

Gamma emission

Question 2

During alpha decay, what happens to the atomic number of the nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Decreases by 2

Answer

Increases by 2

Answer

Decreases by 4

Answer

Increases by 4

Question 3

What term describes the time required for half of a radioactive sample to decay?

Accepted Answer

Half-life

Answer

Decay constant

Answer

Activity

Answer

Dose

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of a Geiger counter?

Accepted Answer

Measuring radioactivity

Answer

Detecting chemical elements

Answer

Determining particle energy

Answer

Identifying decay types

Question 5

What equation calculates the activity of a radioactive sample?

Accepted Answer

A = λN

Answer

A = -λN

Answer

A = N/λ

Answer

A = λ/N

Question 6

Which of the following is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Technetium-99m

Answer

Iodine-131

Answer

Cobalt-60

Question 7

In the International System of Units (SI), what is the unit of radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Curie

Answer

Gray

Answer

Sievert

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a type of radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Neutron decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Gamma decay

Question 9

What is the term for the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay?

Accepted Answer

Half-life

Answer

Average life

Answer

Decay rate

Answer

Specific activity

Question 10

Which of the following particles is emitted during beta decay?

Accepted Answer

Beta particle (electron)

Answer

Alpha particle

Answer

Gamma ray

Answer

Neutron

Question 11

What is the SI unit of radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Curie

Answer

Röntgen

Answer

Gray

Question 12

Which of the following is a radioactive element that occurs naturally?

Accepted Answer

Uranium

Answer

Plutonium

Answer

Americium

Answer

Neptunium

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a recognized type of radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Proton decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Gamma decay

Question 14

What is the term used to describe the duration it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to undergo decay?

Accepted Answer

Half-life

Answer

Decay rate

Answer

Specific activity

Answer

Radiation exposure

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a potential hazard associated with radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Fire

Answer

Cancer

Answer

Radiation burns

Answer

Genetic mutations

Question 16

Which type of radiation possesses the greatest penetrating power?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays

Answer

Alpha particles

Answer

Beta particles

Answer

Neutrons

Question 17

What is the SI unit used to measure radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Gray

Answer

Sievert

Answer

Roentgen

Question 18

What is the process known as when a radioactive nucleus absorbs an electron from its innermost shell?

Accepted Answer

Electron capture

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Gamma decay

Question 19

What is the notation used to represent the radioactive isotope of carbon with 8 neutrons?

Accepted Answer

C-14

Answer

C-12

Answer

C-13

Answer

C-15

Question 20

When handling radioactive materials, what ethical considerations and safety precautions should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Ethical considerations include minimizing radiation exposure and informing affected individuals about potential risks.

Accepted Answer

Safety precautions involve following regulations, disposing of radioactive waste properly, and monitoring radiation levels.

Answer

Ethical considerations and safety precautions are only necessary in research settings.

Answer

Radioactive materials should never be used outside of a laboratory environment.

Question 21

Define the half-life of a radioactive element?

Accepted Answer

The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay

Answer

The time it takes for all the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay

Answer

The time when radioactivity becomes almost negligible

Question 22

Describe the process of nuclear fission?

Accepted Answer

A heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei, releasing energy

Answer

A light nucleus merges into a heavier nucleus, releasing energy

Answer

A nucleus emits a neutron, releasing energy

Answer

A nucleus emits a proton, releasing energy

Question 23

Explain the distinction between Alpha and Beta particles?

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles: larger, less penetrating; Beta particles: smaller, more penetrating

Answer

Alpha particles: smaller, more penetrating; Beta particles: larger, less penetrating

Answer

Alpha particles: positively charged; Beta particles: negatively charged

Answer

Beta particles: positively charged; Alpha particles: negatively charged

Question 24

What is the unit for measuring absorbed dose?

Accepted Answer

Gray

Answer

Sievert

Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Curie

Question 25

Which device is specifically designed to detect and measure radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Geiger counter

Answer

Spectrophotometer

Answer

Gas chromatograph

Answer

Mass spectrometer

Question 26

How does the half-life of a radioactive isotope relate to its decay constant?

Accepted Answer

The half-life is inversely proportional to the decay constant.

Answer

The half-life is directly proportional to the decay constant.

Answer

The half-life is equal to the decay constant.

Question 27

Which of the following is a nuclear reaction rather than a type of radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear Fission

Answer

Alpha Decay

Answer

Beta Decay

Answer

Gamma Decay

Question 28

How do ionizing radiation's biological effects manifest?

Accepted Answer

Acute effects (e.g., radiation sickness) and chronic effects (e.g., cancer), influenced by factors like radiation dose and type.

Answer

Only acute effects like radiation sickness.

Answer

Only chronic effects like cancer.

Answer

No biological effects.

Question 29

The unit of measurement for radioactive decay is the:

Accepted Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Gray

Answer

Sievert

Answer

Curie

Question 30

Which of the following is a property of gamma rays?

Accepted Answer

They are high-energy photons with no mass or charge.

Answer

They are charged particles.

Answer

They cause ionization.

Answer

They can be stopped by a sheet of paper.

Question 31

What is the half-life of a radioactive substance?

Accepted Answer

The time it takes for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Answer

The time it takes for all of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

Answer

The amount of time it takes for a sample to become non-radioactive.

Question 32

What is the purpose of a Geiger counter?

Accepted Answer

To detect and measure ionizing radiation.

Answer

To produce radiation.

Answer

To store radioactive waste.

Answer

To shield people from radiation.

Question 33

A nuclear reactor is a device that:

Accepted Answer

Controls a nuclear chain reaction to produce energy.

Answer

Detects radiation.

Answer

Stores radioactive waste.

Question 34

A concern related to nuclear waste is that it:

Accepted Answer

Can remain radioactive for thousands of years.

Answer

Is not harmful to the environment.

Answer

Is expensive to store.

Answer

Is difficult to transport.

Question 35

The future of nuclear energy is:

Accepted Answer

Uncertain, as there are both benefits and risks to consider.

Answer

It will be phased out due to safety concerns.

Answer

It will replace all other forms of energy.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a type of radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Combustion

Answer

Gamma decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Question 37

What is the unit for measuring the activity (rate of radioactive decay)?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel (Bq)

Answer

Coulomb (C)

Answer

Ohm (Ω)

Answer

Volt (V)

Question 38

Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power and can travel through several meters of air?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays

Answer

Neutrons

Answer

Alpha particles

Answer

Beta particles

Question 39

Nuclear reactions find practical applications in which of the following areas?

Accepted Answer

Power generation

Answer

Transportation

Answer

Cooking

Question 40

Exposure to what type of radiation can increase the risk of developing cancer?

Accepted Answer

Ionizing radiation

Answer

Infrared radiation

Answer

Ultraviolet radiation

Answer

Radio waves

Question 41

Which term describes a spontaneous nuclear reaction that releases energy?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Combustion

Answer

Oxidation

Answer

Photolysis

Question 42

Which subatomic particle IS NOT typically involved in nuclear reactions?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Answer

Neutron

Answer

Alpha particle

Answer

Proton

Question 43

What is the product of the radioactive decay series starting with uranium-238?

Accepted Answer

Lead-206

Answer

Polonium-218

Answer

Thorium-234

Answer

Radium-226

Question 44

Which of the following is the most penetrating type of radiation?

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays

Answer

X-rays

Answer

Alpha particles

Answer

Beta particles

Question 45

Nuclear fission involves the:

Accepted Answer

Splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing energy.

Answer

Combining of two or more light nuclei into a heavier nucleus.

Answer

Emission of a neutron from a nucleus.

Question 46

Which of the following particles is emitted during beta decay?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Answer

Proton

Answer

Neutron

Answer

Alpha particle

Question 47

What is the SI unit of radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel (Bq)

Answer

Sievert (Sv)

Answer

Gray (Gy)

Answer

Curie (Ci)

Question 48

Which of the following particles is emitted during alpha decay?

Accepted Answer

A helium nucleus

Answer

A proton

Answer

A neutron

Question 49

What is the relationship between the half-life of a radioactive isotope and its decay constant?

Accepted Answer

The half-life is inversely proportional to the decay constant

Answer

The half-life is directly proportional to the decay constant

Answer

The half-life is equal to the decay constant

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a nuclear reaction?

Accepted Answer

The decay of uranium-238 to thorium-234

Answer

The neutralization of an acid and a base

Answer

The combustion of methane

Answer

The electrolysis of water

Question 51

What is the name of the process by which a radioactive nucleus captures an electron from its surroundings?

Accepted Answer

Electron capture

Answer

Gamma decay

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Question 52

Which of the following is a unit of radioactivity?

Accepted Answer

Becquerel

Answer

Ampere

Answer

Volt

Answer

Mole

Question 53

What is the purpose of a Geiger counter?

Accepted Answer

To detect radiation

Answer

To determine the concentration of a substance

Answer

To amplify sound waves

Answer

To measure the pH of a solution

Question 54

What is the law that states that the number of radioactive nuclei that decay in a given time period is proportional to the number of radioactive nuclei present?

Accepted Answer

The law of radioactive decay

Answer

The law of chemical equilibrium

Answer

The law of thermodynamics

Answer

The law of conservation of mass