CPC 3.4 Unstable Nuclei

Multiple Choice

Which of the following cannot be broken down by physical or chemical means?

• Mixture

• Element

• Compound

• Solution

Multiple Choice

Why do radioactive atoms emit radiation?

• Because their electrons are unstable

• Because their nuclei are unstable

• Because their protons are stable

• Because their neutrons are stable

Match

Match the definitions to the terms.

• involves the change in an atom's nucleus

• unstable nuclei lose energy

• Rays and particles emitted from unstable nuclei

• spontaneously emitting radiation9

Nuclear reaction

Radioactive decay

Radiation

Radioactivity

• Nuclear reaction

• Radioactive decay

• Radiation

• Radioactivity

Multiple Choice

In the late 1800s, how did scientists identify different types of radiation?

• By using a microscope

• By measuring temperature changes

• By directing radiation between electrically charged plates

• By directing radiation between magnetically opposing poles

Multiple Choice

An alpha particle contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

What is alpha radiation deflected toward?

• Positively charged plate

• Negatively charged plate

• Neutral plate

• Magnetic field

Multiple Choice

An alpha particle contains 2 protons and 2 neutrons.

What is the charge of an alpha particle?

• 1+

• 2+

• 3+

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

Which element does radium-226 decay into during alpha decay?

• Radon-220

• Radon-222

• Radon-224

• Radon-226

Multiple Choice

A beta particle is one electron.

What is beta radiation deflected toward?

• Negatively charged plate

• Positively charged plate

• Neutral plate

• Magnetic field

Multiple Choice

What does each beta particle consist of?

• Proton with a 1+ charge

• Electron with a 1- charge

• Positron with a 1+ charge

Multiple Choice

During beta decay, what is a neutron converted into?

• Two electrons

• A proton and an electron

• Two protons

Multiple Choice

What happens to the electron during beta decay?

• It stays in the nucleus

• It is emitted

Multiple Choice

What stays in the nucleus during beta decay?

• Electron

• Neutron

• Proton

Multiple Choice

What is a gamma ray?

• A low-energy radiation with mass

• A high-energy radiation that has no mass

• A type of particle with charge

• A form of sound wave

Multiple Choice

How are gamma rays affected by electric or magnetic fields?

• They are deflected

• They are absorbed

• They are neutral and not deflected

• They are amplified

Multiple Choice

Can the emission of gamma rays by themselves result in the formation of a new element?

• Yes, always

• No, because they are massless

• Yes, if combined with other particles

• No, because they are charged

Multiple Choice

What happens to atoms that contain too many or too few neutrons?

• They become stable immediately.

• They lose energy through radioactive decay.

• They gain protons to balance.

• They emit gamma rays only.

Multiple Select

What is the ultimate result of radioactive decay in unstable atoms?

Choose 2

• They become more radioactive.

• They form stable atoms.

• They split into smaller atoms.

• They turn into energy.

• They become nonradioactive.

Multiple Choice

What is the main cause of instability in certain atoms?

• Excessive protons

• Imbalance of neutrons

• Lack of electrons

• High energy levels

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes alpha radiation from a radioactive source between two electrically charged plates? 

• high energy radiation that has no mass

• radiation involving fast moving electrons with a charge of 1-

• radiation deflected toward the negatively charged plate 

• radiation deflected toward the positively charged plate 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes an alpha particle? 

• has no mass

• deflects toward positively charged plate

• has a charge of 2+

• has a charge of 1-

Multiple Choice

Which is evidence of alpha radiation? 

•  high energy radiation that has no mass

• formation of nitrogen-14 from carbon-14

•  formation of radon-222 from radium-226

•   radiation deflected toward the positively charged plate 

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes radioactive decay?

• nonspontaneous reaction 

• spontaneous reaction 

• stable nuclei lose energy 

• stable nuclei emit radiation