Radioactivity Student Objectives

How has carbon dating been used in relation to Aboriginal Peoples in Australia?

• To determine the age of the universe

• To establish their presence for more than 60,000 years

• To find the age of dinosaurs

• To measure the depth of the ocean

Answer explanation

Carbon dating has been crucial in establishing that Aboriginal Peoples have been present in Australia for over 60,000 years, providing significant evidence of their long-standing history and cultural heritage.

What does the periodic table and AXZ nomenclature help determine in an element?

• The color of the element

• The taste of the element

• The number of sub-atomic particles, atomic mass number, atomic number, or atomic symbol

• The temperature of the element

Answer explanation

The periodic table and AXZ nomenclature provide essential information about an element, including its atomic number, atomic mass number, and the number of sub-atomic particles, making this the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-1

What is compared in an element to understand its structure?

• Mass and charge of protons, neutrons, and electrons

• Color and texture of the element

• Volume and density of the element

• Temperature and pressure of the element

Answer explanation

To understand an element's structure, we compare the mass and charge of its protons, neutrons, and electrons. These subatomic particles determine the element's properties and behavior in chemical reactions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

What is the difference between artificial and natural transmutation?

• Artificial transmutation occurs naturally, while natural transmutation is man-made

• Artificial transmutation is man-made, while natural transmutation occurs naturally

• Both occur naturally

• Both are man-made

Answer explanation

Artificial transmutation is initiated by humans, typically in laboratories, while natural transmutation occurs spontaneously in nature, such as radioactive decay. Thus, the correct choice is that artificial transmutation is man-made.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What does the periodic table and AXZ nomenclature help determine about isotopes?

• The color of isotopes

• The stability of isotopes

• The taste of isotopes

• The temperature of isotopes

Answer explanation

The periodic table and AXZ nomenclature provide information about the number of protons and neutrons in isotopes, which helps determine their stability. Isotopes can be stable or unstable, affecting their behavior in reactions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What is the difference between the Periodic Table's relative atomic mass (RAM) and atomic mass number?

• RAM is used for isotopes, atomic mass number is not

• RAM is a measure of volume, atomic mass number is not

• RAM is a measure of temperature, atomic mass number is not

• RAM is used for color, atomic mass number is not

Answer explanation

The relative atomic mass (RAM) accounts for the average mass of an element's isotopes, while the atomic mass number is a whole number representing the total number of protons and neutrons in a specific isotope's nucleus.

What is the difference between isotopes and radioisotopes?

• Isotopes are stable, radioisotopes are unstable

• Isotopes are unstable, radioisotopes are stable

• Both are stable

• Both are unstable

Answer explanation

Isotopes are variants of elements with the same number of protons but different neutrons, often stable. Radioisotopes are isotopes that are unstable and decay over time, emitting radiation. Thus, the correct choice is that isotopes are stable, radioisotopes are unstable.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What are the three types of radiation?

• Alpha, beta, and gamma

• Delta, epsilon, and zeta

• Theta, iota, and kappa

• Lambda, mu, and nu

Answer explanation

The three types of radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma. Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, beta radiation involves electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation is high-energy electromagnetic waves.

How are alpha and beta particles and gamma radiation released?

• From stable atoms

• From unstable atoms

• From cold atoms

• From hot atoms

Answer explanation

Alpha and beta particles, along with gamma radiation, are emitted from unstable atoms as they undergo radioactive decay to achieve stability. Stable atoms do not release these forms of radiation.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What does AXZ nomenclature help write?

• Chemical equations

• Nuclear reaction equations

• Mathematical equations

• Physical equations

Answer explanation

AXZ nomenclature is specifically used to represent nuclear reactions, detailing the particles involved and their transformations. Therefore, it helps write nuclear reaction equations, making this the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8