Inside the Nucleus/Radioactivity and Isotopes

An isotope of an element is:

• an atom with the same number of protons but different number of neutrons

• an atom with a different number of protons and electrons

• an atom with the same number of neutrons and electrons

• an atom with a different number of electrons only

Do isotopes of the same element have the same chemical properties?

• Yes, they have the same chemical properties.

• No, they have different chemical properties.

• It depends on the number of neutrons.

• They have no chemical properties.

Some isotopes of elements are unstable. What do they disintegrate to form?

• Stable elements

• Other isotopes

• Radioactive elements

• New elements

Name the two isotopes of carbon. Which of these is unstable?

• Carbon-12 and Carbon-14; Carbon-14 is unstable

• Carbon-12 and Carbon-13; Carbon-12 is unstable

• Carbon-13 and Carbon-14; Carbon-13 is unstable

• Carbon-12 and Carbon-14; Carbon-12 is unstable

Name the two isotopes of uranium. Which one is unstable/radioactive?

• U-235 and U-238; U-235 is unstable/radioactive

• U-234 and U-238; U-238 is unstable/radioactive

• U-233 and U-235; U-233 is unstable/radioactive

• U-238 and U-239; U-239 is unstable/radioactive

As radioactive isotopes decay, they release nuclear radiation. Which of the following lists the three types of nuclear radiation?

• Alpha, Beta, Gamma

• Alpha, Delta, Gamma

• Beta, Delta, Theta

• Gamma, Sigma, Alpha

Which radioactive particles penetrate the furthest distance? The least distance?

• Alpha particles penetrate the furthest, beta the least.

• Beta particles penetrate the furthest, alpha the least.

• Gamma rays penetrate the furthest, alpha the least.

• Alpha particles penetrate the furthest, gamma the least.

Which type of nuclear radiation travels at the speed of light? What damage can it cause?

• Alpha radiation; causes severe burns

• Beta radiation; causes mild skin irritation

• Gamma radiation; can cause cell damage and cancer

• Neutron radiation; causes only heat damage

What do we mean by the ‘half life’ of a radioactive element?

• The time taken for half the atoms in a radioactive sample to decay.

• The time taken for all the atoms in a radioactive sample to decay.

• The time taken for a radioactive element to become stable.

• The time taken for a radioactive element to double in mass.

What do we mean by the ‘half life’ of a radioactive element?