Chapter : Particle Physics

Multiple Choice

The nuclide 212Po84 has:

• Proton number = 212, Nucleon number = 84

• Proton number = 84, Nucleon number = 212

• Proton number = 128, Nucleon number = 212

• Proton number = 212, Nucleon number = 128

Multiple Choice

What is meant by the nucleon number of an atom?

• A. The number of electrons in the atom

• B. The number of protons in the nucleus

• C. The number of neutrons in the nucleus

• D. The total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes isotopes?

• A. Atoms of the same element with the same proton number but different nucleon numbers

• B. Atoms of different elements with the same number of protons

• C. Atoms of the same element with different numbers of protons and neutrons

• D. Atoms that always have the same number of neutrons but different electrons

Multiple Choice

Which of the following are not characteristics of the strong nuclear force?

• Acts over a very short range

• Is attractive between nucleons

• Is responsible for radioactive decay

• Holds the nucleus together

Multiple Choice

Which of the following factors contribute to the instability of atoms with large nuclei?

• The strong nuclear force acts over long distances and weakens with added nucleons

• The electrostatic repulsion between protons increases, while the strong nuclear force only acts over short ranges

• Neutrons repel protons strongly at all distances

• Adding neutrons always makes a nucleus unstable

Multiple Choice

Which type of radiation has no charge and travels at the speed of light?

• Alpha particle

• Beta particle

• Gamma ray

• Neutron

Fill in the Blanks

Alpha particles were identified as

nuclei.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about alpha particles is correct?

• They can be absorbed by a thin sheet of paper.

• They have a very long range in air.

• They are very penetrative.

• They cannot be stopped by paper.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about beta particles are

NOT true?

• They are much smaller than alpha particles.

• They are absorbed by one centimetre of aluminium.

• They cause more ionisation than alpha particles.

• They penetrate further into matter than alpha particles.

Multiple Choice

Which statement about radioactive decay is correct? ( PAST PAPER )

• A. Neutrinos are always emitted during α-decay.

• B. The α-particles emitted from a radioactive sample have a continuous range of kinetic energies.

• C. The β⁻ particles emitted from a radioactive sample have a continuous range of kinetic energies.

• D. The proton number of a nucleus decreases by four when it undergoes α-decay.

Multiple Choice

Past paper question

• A

• B

• C

• D