Topic E Nuclear and Quantum Physics Review

The diagram shows the emission spectrum of an atom. Which of the following atomic energy level models can produce this spectrum?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Three statements about a nuclear fission reactor are:

I.   The heat exchanger transfers energy from the fuel rods to the moderator.
II.  The control rods must be good absorbers of neutrons.
III. The moderator must slow neutrons down.

Which statements about the reactor are correct?

• A. I and II only

• B. I and III only

• C. II and III only

• D. I, II and III

Three statements about the products of nuclear fission are:

I. some of them are chemically toxic

II. they have a wide range of half-lives

III. they release additional energy when removed from the reactor

Which statements are correct?

• I and II only

• I and III only

• II and III only

• I, II and III

Fuel rods in a nuclear fission reactor contain uranium isotopes U-235 and U-238. Which process taking place in the reactor contributes most significantly to the formation of radioactive waste products?

• alpha decay of U-235

• alpha decay of U-238

• neutron-induced fission of U-235

• neutron-induced transmutation of U-238 to plutonium-239

When removed from a nuclear reactor, used nuclear fuel rods are often stored for several years in a tank of liquid. Three possible reasons for this are

I.   to shield workers from radiation emitted from the fuel rods
II.  to dissolve the unused fuel from the rods
III. to cool the rods

Which statements are correct?

• I and II only

• I and III only

• II and III only

• I, II and III

Which equation is an example of β⁺ decay?

• A.

• B.

• C.

• D.

• Alpha particle

• Beta minus particle

• Proton

• Neutron

• 92, Greater than 1

• 92, Less than 1

• 94, Greater than 1

• 94, Less than 1

A sample of the artificial element Seaborgium-265 (Sg-265) is created with 4.0 x 10^22 atoms. Sg-265 has a half-life of 15 s. How many atoms of Sg-265 remain after one minute?

• A. 2.5 x 10^21

• B. 5.0 x 10^21

• C. 1.0 x 10^22

• D. 2.0 x 10^22

The ratio of the diameter of an atom to the diameter of its nucleus is:

• 10^1

• 10^3

• 10^5

• 10^7