Nuclear Physics

Hydrogen is an element with one proton. It has three different isotopes.

Which statement about the three Hydrogen isotopes is correct?

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

• They must all have one proton in their nuclei.

• They must all have one neutron in their nuclei.

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

An atom consists of electrons orbiting a nucleus. The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.

For the atom to be neutral, which statement about the atom must be correct?

• The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons.

• The number of protons is equal to the number of neutrons.

• The number of electrons, protons and neutrons are all different.

• The number of electrons is equal to the number of neutrons.

The charge on an electron is -1.

Which answer below correctly describes the charge of a proton and the charge on a neutron?

• Proton = 0

  neutron = +1

• Proton = +1

  neutron = -1

• Proton = +1

  neutron = 0

• Proton = -1

  neutron = +1

How many neutrons are in a nucleus of aluminum? The chemical symbol is given below:

• 13

• 27

• 14

• 40

Below are the symbol for four different nuclides.

Which two nuclides are isotopes of the same element?

• nuclide 1 and nuclide 4

• nuclide 1, nuclide 3 and nuclide 4

• nuclide 2 and nuclide 3

• nuclide 2 and nuclide 4

Which of the following statements would not be correct for the nucleus of any atom?

• The nucleus contains protons and neutrons.

• The nucleus has a total charge of zero.

• The nucleus is very small compared to the size of the atom

• The atom contains the same number of protons and electrons.

A nitrogen atom loses an electron.

What i it called now?

• An atom

• An isotope

• A negative ion

• A positive ion

Nuclear reactions can release huge amount of energy.

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

• The sun = fusion

  A nuclear power station = fusion

• The sun = fusion

  A nuclear power station = fission

• The sun = fission

  A nuclear power station = fusion

• The sun = fission

  A nuclear power station = fusion

Fusion is a type of nuclear reaction.

Which term below is a correct statement about nuclear fusion?

• It occurs in nuclear power station.

• It involves a larger nucleus decaying into two (or more) smaller nuclides.

• Uranium is a type of fuel for nuclear fusion.

• Light nuclei (such as hydrogen and helium) fuse together, releasing energy in the process.

In Rutherford's experiment, alpha particles were fired at a thin metal foil. This is shown in the image below.

Why are alpha particles used rather than neutrons?

• They are positively charged, which causes them to repel when they pass close to a nucleus.

• They are very small in diameter, and so are less likely to interact with nucleus.

• They travel more slowly.

• They are heavier.