Quiz on Isotopes and Tritium

How many neutrons does tritium have?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

What is ionization?

• The process by which an atom loses or gains an electron.

• The process by which an atom gains an electron.

• The process by which an atom gains a proton.

• The process by which an atom loses a neutron.

How does tritium decay?

• By emitting an alpha particle.

• By emitting a beta particle.

• By emitting a gamma ray.

• By emitting a positron.

Which of the following is a correct description of a beta particle?

• A high-speed electron.

• A high-speed proton.

• A helium nucleus.

• A photon.

What is the atomic number of an element defined as?

• The number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

• The number of electrons in the outermost shell.

• The total number of nucleons in the nucleus.

• The number of protons in the nucleus.

What is an isotope?

• An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of electrons.

• An atom with a different number of protons but the same number of electrons.

• An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.

• An atom with the same number of protons and neutrons but a different number of electrons.

Which particles have the greatest mass?

• Electrons.

• Neutrons.

• Protons.

• Alpha particles.

Which of the following best describes why tritium signs are safe to use?

• The beta particles are completely non-ionizing.

• The glass tubes are strong enough to withstand impacts.

• The beta particles cannot penetrate the glass tube.

• The range of beta particles is too short to reach humans.

Why is tritium not able to emit an alpha particle?

• Tritium has too many neutrons.

• Tritium is too heavy.

• Tritium does not have enough nucleons (particles in the nucleus).

• Tritium has a very long half-life.

What is the principle behind a tritium-based luminescent sign?

• Tritium emits light directly.

• Phosphor absorbs beta particles and emits light.

• Tritium heats up the glass tube, which then emits light.

• The glass tubes fluoresce upon exposure to tritium gas.