Unit Progress Assessment Formative

The three types of nuclear radiation in order of decreasing penetrating power are

• gamma, beta, alpha

• alpha, gamma, beta

• beta, alpha, gamma

• gamma, alpha, beta

Where does radioactivity have application in our lives?

• Medicine
• Energy (electricity)
• Agriculture
• All of the above

Which subatomic particles determine the identity of an element?

• electrons

• protons

• neutrons

• photons

Compared to other subatomic particles, the electron is _____

• heavy and positively charged

• light and positively charged

• light and neutral

• light and negatively charged

Compared to other subatomic particles, the proton is _____

• heavy and neutral

• heavy and negatively charged

• heavy and positively charged

• light and negatively charged

Neutrons serve as a kind of _____

• charge carrier
• shock absorber for collisions
• shield for radiation
• buffer between the protons

This type of decay creates a new element

• alpha

• gamma

• alpha and beta

• none of the above

• beta

This particle has 2 protons and 2 neutrons like a helium nucleus.

• alpha particle

• beta particle

• gamma photon

• alpha and gamma particles

• none of the above

The rate at which a radioactive element decays is its ____.

• quarter life
• whole life
• wonderful life 
• half life

What makes something radioactive?

• elements with an atomic number above 81
• an unstable nucleus
• contaminated sewage
• It decays over time