Physics Quiz

Match the following nuclear processes with their descriptions:

• Alpha Decay

• A nucleus spontaneously decays, releasing an alpha particle.

• Fission

• Two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

• Neutron Capture

• A nucleus absorbs a neutron and releases a beta particle.

• Nuclear Fusion

• A heavy nucleus splits into lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy. (Fission)

The Standard Model of Matter categorizes all fundamental particles into two main types. These are:

• Hadrons and Leptons

• Quarks and Gluons

• Bosons and Fermions

• Baryons and Mesons

Which of the following is NOT a Fermion according to the Standard Model?

• Electron

• Up Quark

• Neutrino

• Photon

In a cyclotron, charged particles are accelerated in a spiral path by:

• A constant electric field and a constant magnetic field.

• A varying electric field and a constant magnetic field.

• A constant electric field and a varying magnetic field.

• Varying electric and magnetic fields.

Linear particle colliders, unlike cyclotrons, accelerate particles in a (a)  

• Circular path.
• Straight line.
• Square path.
• Random path.

Which of the following statements about Bosons is INCORRECT?

• Bosons are the force carriers of the universe.

• Bosons cannot have integer spin (0, 1, 2, etc.).

• Examples of Bosons include photons and gluons.

• Bosons mediate interactions between Fermions.

In a nuclear fission reaction, the released energy comes from:

• The conversion of mass to energy according to E=mc^2.

• The rearrangement of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

• The creation of new elements.

• The absorption of a neutron by the nucleus.

Leptons in the Standard Model include:

• Up quarks and down quarks.

• Electrons, muons, and tau particles.

• Protons and neutrons.

• Gluons and photons.

Particle colliders are used to:

• Generate electricity.

• Study the fundamental particles that make up matter and explore the forces that act between them.

• Diagnose medical conditions.

• Purify water.

The stability of an atom depends on the balance between:

• The number of protons and neutrons.

• The number of electrons and protons.

• The number of electrons and neutrons.

• The type of Bosons present.