PHYS 301-Modern Physics

What is the name of the process by which a heavy nucleus splits into two smaller nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy?

• 1. Nuclear fusion

• 1. Nuclear fission

• 1. Radioactive decay

• 1. Electron capture

The number of protons in an atom is known as its:

• Atomic mass

• Atomic number

• Neutron number

• Isotope number

The term "isotope" refers to atoms of the same element that have:

• Different numbers of protons

• Different numbers of electrons

• Different numbers of neutrons

• Different atomic masses

Which force is responsible for holding protons and neutrons together in the nucleus?

• Gravitational force

• Electromagnetic force

• Weak nuclear force

• Strong nuclear force

What is the minimum frequency of light required to cause the photoelectric effect for a given material?

• Threshold frequency

• Resonance frequency

• Critical frequency

• Maximum frequency

The photoelectric effect played a crucial role in supporting the idea that light has characteristics of:

• Particles

• Waves

• Both particles and waves

• Neither particles nor waves

What happens to an atom when it undergoes absorption of light?

• It emits light

• It reflects light

• It absorbs light and transitions to a higher energy state

• It loses electrons

When an electron absorbs a photon and moves to a higher energy state, what is the relationship between the energy of the photon and the energy change of the electron?

• They are equal

• The energy of the photon is greater

• The energy of the electron is greater

• There is no relationship between them

When white light passes through a cool gas, the resulting spectrum is a(n):

• Continuous spectrum

• Emission spectrum

• Absorption spectrum

• Conduction spectrum

When an electron in an atom transitions from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, what type of radiation is emitted?

• Ultraviolet

• Infrared

• Microwave

• Visible light