Splitting the Atom

What is located in the nucleus of an atom?

• Electrons and ions

• Protons and electrons

• Protons and neutrons

• Neutrons and ions

What is an ion?

• An atom with no electrons

• An atom that gains or loses protons

• An atom with more or fewer electrons than protons

• An atom with extra neutrons

Where are electrons found in an atom?

• Inside the nucleus

• Orbiting around the nucleus

• Inside protons

• Floating in space

What are isotopes?

• Atoms with no electrons

• Atoms with extra protons

• Atoms with extra neutrons

• Atoms with no mass

Why are some isotopes considered unstable?

• They have no electrons

• They have more protons than neutrons

• They have extra energy and try to return to a stable state

• They are made of gases

What is the energy released by unstable isotopes called?

• Fission

• Heat

• Radiation

• Static electricity

What is the steady process of energy release in unstable isotopes called?

• Half-life

• Chain reaction

• Nuclear fission

• Radioactive decay

What does the term “half-life” mean?

• The time it takes to split an atom

• The time it takes for an isotope to become stable

• The average energy of an electron

• The time it takes for half of a substance to decay

What discovery did scientists make in the early 20th century?

• That atoms are made of smaller parts

• That unstable isotopes can be used to create electricity

• That adding neutrons to unstable atoms could split them

• That protons and electrons have opposite charges

What happens during nuclear fission?

• Atoms freeze

• The nucleus of an atom fuses with another

• The nucleus of an atom splits and releases energy

• Atoms absorb radiation