The Nuclear Atom Quiz

Energy is released in some nuclear reactions.

Which nuclear reaction takes place in a nuclear power station, and which nuclear reaction takes place in the Sun?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

In a nuclear power station, fission (choice B) occurs, where heavy nuclei split to release energy. In contrast, the Sun primarily undergoes fusion, where light nuclei combine to form heavier ones, releasing energy.

A certain element has several isotopes.

Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

• They must have different numbers of electrons orbiting their nuclei.

• They must have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.

• They must have the same number of nucleons in their nuclei.

• They must have the same number of protons in their nuclei.

Answer explanation

Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons, which defines the element, but different numbers of neutrons. Therefore, the correct statement is that they must have the same number of protons in their nuclei.

Which particles were used, and to which conclusion did the experiment lead?

• alpha particles, matter is made up of atoms

• alpha particles, atoms have a very small nucleus

• beta particles, matter is made up of atoms

• beta particles, atoms have a very small nucleus

Answer explanation

The experiment used alpha particles, which led to the conclusion that atoms have a very small nucleus. This was demonstrated in Rutherford's gold foil experiment, revealing the atom's structure.

Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

• nuclide 1 and nuclide 2

• nuclide 2 and nuclide 3

• nuclide 2 and nuclide 5

• nuclide 4 and nuclide 5

Answer explanation

Isotopes are nuclides of the same element with different numbers of neutrons. Nuclide 1 and nuclide 2 share the same atomic number but differ in mass number, making them isotopes of the same element.

Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

• They are radioactive.

• They are unstable.

• They have the same number of neutrons.

• They have the same number of protons.

Answer explanation

Isotopes are variants of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Therefore, the correct statement is that they have the same number of protons.

Which diagram represents an experiment that provided evidence for the nuclear atom?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Diagram C illustrates Rutherford's gold foil experiment, which provided evidence for the nuclear atom by showing that alpha particles were deflected by a small, dense nucleus, confirming the existence of a central atomic nucleus.

What is the composition of one nucleus of this nuclide?

• 6 neutrons, 6 protons

• 8 neutrons, 6 protons

• 14 neutrons, 6 protons

• 6 neutrons, 8 protons

Answer explanation

The nuclide in question has 6 protons, which identifies it as carbon. The correct composition is 8 neutrons and 6 protons, making it carbon-14, a common isotope of carbon used in dating organic materials.

What is the proton number of a nucleus of this nuclide?

• 10

• 12

• 22

• 32

Answer explanation

The proton number, also known as the atomic number, indicates the number of protons in a nucleus. For this nuclide, the correct proton number is 10, which corresponds to the element neon.

The nucleus of an americium atom contains 146 neutrons and 95 protons. It decays by emitting

an α-particle.

How many neutrons and how many protons remain in the nucleus when this form of americium decays?

• 142 neutrons, 93 protons

• 142 neutrons, 95 protons

• 144 neutrons, 93 protons

• 144 neutrons, 95 protons

Answer explanation

When americium emits an α-particle, it loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Starting with 95 protons and 146 neutrons, the remaining counts are 93 protons and 144 neutrons, making the correct answer 144 neutrons, 93 protons.

Which statement is correct for the nucleus of any atom?

• The nucleus contains electrons, neutrons and protons.

• The nucleus contains the same number of protons as neutrons.

• The nucleus has a total charge of zero.

• The nucleus is very small compared with the size of the atom.

Answer explanation

The nucleus is very small compared to the overall size of the atom, which is mostly empty space. The other statements are incorrect: the nucleus contains protons and neutrons, not electrons, and its charge is positive due to protons.