Nuclear Chemistry Fundamentals and Concepts

What is the term used when an atom changes from one element to another?

• Ionization

• Transmutation

• Fission

• Fusion

What does the atomic number of an element represent?

• Atomic mass

• Number of electrons

• Number of neutrons

• Number of protons

If a carbon atom gains a proton, what element does it become?

• Helium

• Boron

• Nitrogen

• Oxygen

Where is the atomic mass number typically written in the element symbol?

• Lower right corner

• Upper left corner

• Upper right corner

• Lower left corner

How many protons are in an atom of iron-56?

• 28

• 56

• 26

• 30

What defines isotopes of an element?

• Same number of protons, different number of neutrons

• Same number of neutrons, different number of protons

• Same number of electrons, different number of protons

• Same atomic mass, different atomic number

How many neutrons are in the isotope carbon-14?

• 6

• 14

• 7

• 8

What is the nuclear force?

• A repulsive force between protons

• A force affecting only electrons

• A short-range force acting over small distances

• A long-range force acting over large distances

What happens when the ratio of neutrons to protons becomes too large or too small?

• The nucleus becomes stable

• The atomic number increases

• The atom gains electrons

• The atom becomes radioactive

At what point do nuclei become unstable and radioactive?

• When they have more than 100 protons

• When they have more than 50 protons

• When they have more than 83 protons

• When they have more than 150 protons