Unstable Nuclei and Radioactive Decay

Multiple Choice

Protons in a nucleus ___ each other because they have the same charge.

• attract

• repel

• push

• pull

Multiple Choice

The protons and neutrons in a nucleus stay together because of ___.

• electrostatic attraction

• the attraction between the protons and the electrons

• strong nuclear force

• electrostatic repulsion

Multiple Choice

In a stable nucleus, ___.

• the strong nuclear force is greater than the electrostatic repulsion

• the protons are stronger than the neutrons

• the strong nuclear force is weaker than the electrostatic repulsion

• the strong nuclear force is greater than the electrostatic attraction

Multiple Choice

In an unstable nucleus, ___.

• the strong nuclear force is greater than the electrostatic repulsion

• the protons are stronger than the neutrons

• the strong nuclear force is weaker than the electrostatic repulsion

• the strong nuclear force is greater than the electrostatic attraction

Multiple Choice

When a nucleus is unstable, it ___ so it can become stable.

• emits particles and energy

• absorbs particles and energy

• stays together

• emits light

Multiple Choice

True or False?

The stability of nuclei depends on the balance (ratio) between the number of protons and the number of neutrons.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

True or False?

The radioactive decay of unstable nuclei releases energy to allow the nucleus to become stable.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The ability of a nucleus to emit radioactive radiation is called ___.

• radioactive decay

• nuclear reaction

• radioactivity

• atomic reaction

Multiple Choice

The process during which the nucleus emits radiation is called ___.

• radioactive decay

• nuclear reaction

• radioactivity

• atomic reaction

Multiple Choice

In the late 1890s, ___ was the scientist who did a lot of work with radioactivity.

• Democritus

• John Dalton

• Albert Einstein

• Marie Curie

Multiple Choice

There are ___ types of radioactive decay.

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

Which radiation cannot go through paper?

• alpha radiation

• beta radiation

• gamma radiation

• x-ray radiation

Multiple Choice

Which radiation has the highest energy?

• alpha radiation

• beta radiation

• gamma radiation

• x-ray radiation

Multiple Choice

Which radiation is the same as an electron?

• alpha radiation

• beta radiation

• gamma radiation

• x-ray radiation

Multiple Choice

Which radiation is the same a helium atom?

• alpha radiation

• beta radiation

• gamma radiation

• x-ray radiation

Multiple Choice

Which radiation is the most dangerous?

• alpha radiation

• beta radiation

• gamma radiation

• x-ray radiation

Multiple Choice

Beta radiation deflects toward the positive plate because it is has ____ charge.

• a positive

• a negative

• no

• multiple

Multiple Choice

Alpha radiation deflects toward the negative plate because it is has ____ charge.

• a positive

• a negative

• no

• multiple

Multiple Choice

In ___ decay, both the atomic number and the atomic mass change.

• alpha

• beta

• gamma

• ultraviolet

Multiple Choice

In ___ decay, the atomic number changes, but the atomic mass stays the same.

• alpha

• beta

• gamma

• ultraviolet

Multiple Choice

In ___ decay, neither the atomic number nor the atomic mass changes.

• alpha

• beta

• gamma

• ultraviolet