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Assessment: Nuclear Energy

Total questions: 98

Worksheet time: 1hrs 2mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What are the two major processes involved with nuclear energy?

a)

Fission and Fusion

b)

Alpha and Beta particles

c)

Gamma and Fission

d)

Radioactivity and Alpha Decay

2.
What type of radioactive decay is in this picture? 
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
d)
Fission
3.

What type of radioactive decay is in this picture?

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

d)

Fusion

4.
What decay emits (releases) a He atom (2 protons and 4 neutrons?)
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
d)
Fission
5.
What type of decay emits an electron?  
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
d)
Fusion
6.

Find the missing element by balancing the equation in the image:

a)
b)
c)
d)
7.

Solve for the missing element is this decay process:

a)
b)
c)
d)
8.

What are gamma rays and x-rays?

a)

electromagnetic radiation

b)

Electrons

c)

Protons

d)

Neutrons

9.

What could be the end result of a chain reaction? Check all that apply.

a)

energy is released to generate heat in a power plant

b)

a nuclear explosion in an atomic bomb

c)

new elements are formed

d)

more neutrons are formed

10.
C-14 has 8 neutrons and C-13 has 7 neutrons.  How many protons are in C-14? 
a)
6
b)
12.01
c)
7
d)
8
11.
What is the same about an element and its isotopes? 
a)
Same number of neutrons
b)
Same number of protons
c)
Same number of electrons or neutrons
d)
Same atomic mass
12.
What are the three (3) types of radiation that exist in nuclear chemistry?
a)
Alpha, Beta, and Gamma
b)
Fission, Fusion, and Friction
c)
Protons, Neutrons, and Electrons
d)
Atomic Mass, Isotopes, and Ions
13.
What are two isotopes that are used in a Nuclear Reactor for electricity? 
a)
U-235 and Pu-239
b)
U-238 and He
c)
H and He
d)
C-14 and Pu-239
14.

What happens to the nuclei of isotopes during a FISSION reaction?

a)

They break down or split apart

b)

They fuse and/or combine together

c)

They add more neutrons to its mass

d)

They collapse into a black hole

15.

What happens to the nuclei of isotopes during a FUSION reaction?

a)

They break down or break apart

b)

They combine together

c)

They add more neutrons to their mass

d)

They collapse into a black hole

16.
What process does the Sun go through in order to produce limitless energy for billions of years? 
a)
Fusion
b)
Fission
c)
Alpha, Beta, Gamma
d)
Isotopic implosion 
17.
Nuclear power plants rely on which of the following reactions to generate energy?
a)
Fusion
b)
Half-life
c)
Fission
d)
Fusion or fission
18.
This is an example of...
a)
Fission  reaction
b)
Fusion reaction
c)
Decomposition reaction
d)
Combustion
19.

What is an advantage of nuclear energy?

a)

radioactive waste

b)

no air pollution (carbon emissions, oxides - acid rain)

c)

we will never run out

d)

it is the safest way to make energy

20.
Which type of power plant is this?
a)
Coal Power Plant
b)
Nuclear Power Plant
c)
Solar Power Plant
d)
Hydroelectric Power Plant
21.
This is an example of which of the following types of nuclear reactors?
a)
Boiling Water Reactor
b)
Molten Salt Reactor
c)
Liquid Metal Reactor
d)
Graphite Moderated Reactor
22.

All of the following are problems of nuclear energy except ---

a)

storage of radioactive fuel

b)

greenhouse gas pollution (ie. carbon dioxide)

c)

security concerns

d)

natural disasters (tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.)

23.
Nuclear power uses ____ for fuel.
a)
steel
b)
coal
c)
uranium
d)
hydrogen
24.
The time needed for half of a radioactive sample to decay is called its __________.
a)
decay period
b)
period
c)
transmutation time
d)
half-life
25.
Complete the phrase: 'The longer an element's half-life...'
a)
...the longer it will take to decay
b)
...the more radioactive it is
c)
...the less radioactive it is
d)
...the rarer it is
26.
Radioactive materials have unstable...
a)
electrons
b)
protons
c)
nuclei
d)
neutrons
27.
Two atoms of the same element but with different mass numbers are called________
a)
electrons
b)
isotopes
c)
ions
d)
reaction partners
28.

What do these isotopes of carbon all have in common?


126C, 136C, 146C

a)

they all have the same number of neutrons & ssame mass number

b)

they all have the same atomic number and same number of neutrons

c)

they all have the same atomic number and same number of electrons

d)

they all have the same number of protons, same atomic number, and same mass number

29.
These particles orbit around the nucleus of an atom.  What are they called?
a)
electrons
b)
protons
c)
neutrons
d)
photons
30.
From the diagram, which particles are indicated with the arrow?
a)
electrons and protons
b)
protons and neutrons
c)
electrons and neutrons
d)
photons and nucleons
31.
In the center of the atom is something called _____
a)
the kernel
b)
the cell
c)
the nucleus
d)
the focal point
32.
Which subatomic particle causes the nucleus to have a positive charge?
a)
Neutron
b)
Electrons
c)
Protons
d)
Valence electrons
33.
What is the charge of the neutron?
a)
Negative
b)
Positive
c)
electrical charge
d)
Neutral (no charge)
34.
What is the charge of the electron
a)
positive
b)
no charge
c)
negative
d)
neutral
35.
Has the symbol
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta 
c)
Gamma
36.
Has the symbol
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
37.
Has the symbol
a)
Alpha
b)
Beta
c)
Gamma
38.

The % of the parent isotope remaining after 1 Half Life.

a)

50%

b)

25%

c)

12.5%

d)

6.25%

39.

The % of the parent isotope remaining after 2 Half Lives.

a)

50%

b)

25%

c)

12.5%

d)

6.25%

40.

The amount of time it takes for 1/2 the amount of any radioactive parent sample to decay into its daughter element is known as what?

a)

half life

b)

chain reaction

c)

half reaction

d)

U-235

41.

An example of an uncontrolled fission reaction is _______________

a)

Nuclear power plants

b)

Radioactive decay

c)

Atomic Bomb

d)

On the surface of the sun

42.
_________ happens naturally due to an unstable nucleus.
a)
fission
b)
fusion
c)
radioactive decay
d)
K-capture
43.
The major drawback to nuclear fission reactors is the difficulty of achieving safe disposal of radioactive waste products.
a)
true
b)
false
44.

Powerful electromagnetic radiation that can cause biological damage by damaging DNA.

a)

beta particle

b)

alpha particle

c)

gamma ray

d)

carbon dating

45.

Using the decay of an isotope to find the age of a once-living object [fossil].

a)

carbon dating

b)

alpha particle

c)

gamma ray

d)

half-life

46.

Who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for her work with radioactivity?

a)

Lise Meitner

b)

Marie Curie

c)

Jane Goodall

d)

Judy Blume

47.

One type of radioactive device that indicates the intensity of radiation with a clicking sound that increases in frequency as more radiation is present is a(n) ____.

a)

bubble chamber

b)

cloud chamber

c)

electroscope

d)

Geiger counter

48.
Splitting a uranium atom is called - 
a)
fission
b)
fusion
49.

Nuclear energy uses _____ to turn turbines to power a generator.

a)

wind

b)

liquid water

c)

steam

d)

solar

50.

The majority of an atom's energy is stored in the ___ of an atom.

a)

proton

b)

neutron

c)

electron cloud

d)

nucleus

51.

The amount of time it take for 1/2 U-235 to decay is 4.5 billion years. This is known as its ______

a)

half life

b)

chain reaction

c)

half reaction

d)

U-235

52.
What is the difference between a nuclear bomb and a nuclear power plant?
a)
Bomb releases energy all at once, power plant release is slow and controlled.
b)
Nothing much... pretty much the same.
c)
Power plant releases more energy, faster.
d)
One uses nuclear energy, one uses coal.
53.
What do these symbols represent?
a)
alpha particle
b)
beta particle
c)
neutron
d)
gamma ray
54.
How many protons are in this atom?
a)
3
b)
4
c)
6
d)
10
55.
How many neutrons are in this isotope of Uranium?
a)
235
b)
92
c)
327
d)
143
56.
What process is modeled by the equation?
a)
alpha decay
b)
beta decay
c)
fission
d)
fusion
57.
What process is modeled with this equation?
a)
alpha decay
b)
beta decay
c)
fission
d)
fusion
58.
What is the mass number of at isotope that has 20 protons, 21 neutrons and 18 electrons?
a)
18
b)
20
c)
21
d)
41
59.
What sort of shield will block gamma rays?
a)
skin
b)
paper
c)
aluminum
d)
thick lead
60.

City in the Ukraine that was evacuated in the year 1986 because of an explosion in one of the nuclear reactors.

a)

Baltimore

b)

Fukushima

c)

Chernobyl

d)

Waianae

61.
What is Albert Einstein's theory about mass and energy?
a)
E = m
b)
E = m c2
c)
E = radioactive matter
d)
All of the above
62.

What are two common types of thermal reactors in the U.S.?

a)

boiling water reactor, pressurized steam reactor

b)

boiling water reactor, pressurized water reactor

c)

boiling water reactor, reactor vessel reactor

d)

pressurized water reactor, reactor steam reactor

63.

Nuclear power plants currently generate around what percent of electricity in the US

a)

1%

b)

9%

c)

20%

d)

29%

64.

When moving neutrons hit the nuclei of certain unstable atoms like Uranium causing them to split and release more neutrons that can repeat the process, a _______________________ occurs.

a)

nuclear chain reaction

b)

alpha radiation

c)

nuclear half-life

d)

control rod

65.

What is the function of a turbine in a nuclear power plant?

a)

When it spins, it makes sparks, inducting electricity.

b)

It transfers the energy from the flow of steam to the generator as it spins.

c)

It speeds up the steam or water to keep it at a steady pace.

d)

It controls the steam or water so it can be pumped around in a cycle.

66.

What does a generator do in a nuclear power plant?

a)

It spins when the steam passes through it.

b)

It moves the water from a higher elevation to a lower elevation.

c)

It generates electricity as magnets rotate around wire.

d)

It brings in the water from the lake or river.

67.

The moderator in a nuclear reactor ____________.

a)

slows neutrons down.

b)

speeds neutrons up.

c)

captures neutrons.

d)

enriches the uranium.

68.

Enriching uranium in the fuel cycle is done in order to . . .

a)

have enough Uranium-235 concentrated in the fuel rods for a sustained chain reaction.

b)

have an uncontrolled chain reaction resulting in an explosion.

c)

produce slow neutrons.

d)

produce fast neutrons.

69.

Controlled chain reactions in a nuclear reactor are achieved using . . .

a)

a heavy water moderator.

b)

Barium and Cadmium control rods.

c)

Uranium fuel pellets.

d)

heat exchanger.

70.

What happens to the half-life time of a radioactive substance as it decays?

a)

Increases

b)

Decreases

c)

Remains constant

d)

None of these

71.

What is the name of the structure in a nuclear power plant that cools steam back into liquid water?

a)

Pumping station

b)

Condenser

c)

Pressurizer

d)

Turbine

72.

Sequence the above statements that outline how a power plant works from beginning to end.

A. The turbine sets the generator in motion

B. Water is heated producing steam

C. Fission of nuclear fuel releases energy in the form of heat

D. Steam is directed against turbine blades causing them to turn

E. Electricity is generated

a)

E, C, B, D, A

b)

C, B, D, A, E

c)

C, B, D, E, A

d)

B, D, E, A, C

73.

Which of the following is the primary environmental problem associated with the use of nuclear power to generate electricity?

a)

Radon leaking into buildings

b)

Production of acid rain

c)

Depletion of the ozone layer

d)

Disposal of radioactive waste

74.

One concern in the U.S. regarding increased use of nuclear energy throughout the world, including in a broad range of developing countries is:

a)

lower prices for U.S. exports of electricity

b)

decreased reliance on fossil fuels

c)

increased greenhouse emissions

d)

proliferation of nuclear material that may end up in nuclear weapons

75.

What role does water serve within the core of a commercial nuclear reactor?

a)

water reacts chemically with high-energy particles, reducing the radiation

b)

water “moderates” or slows down neutrons emitted by radioactive decay creating "thermal neutrons" that can be absorbed by nuclei in the fuel causing fission

c)

water increases the nuclear radiation

d)

water speeds up the nuclear reactions, making chain reactions possible

76.

What does this sequence illustrate?

a)

a radioactive decay chain

b)

the half-life of uranium

c)

passive stability

d)

the nuclear fuel cycle

77.

What is 3 called?

a)

Reactor fan

b)

Fuel rods

c)

Generator

d)

Turbine

78.

What is 9 called?

a)

Reactor

b)

Control rods

c)

Containment building

d)

Cooling tower

79.
Scientist involved with discovery of radioactivity.
a)
Albert Einstein
b)
Ernest Rutherford
c)
Marie Curie
d)
Isaac Newton
80.
Complete the sentence: As time passes the level of radiation produced by a radioactive material...
a)
Decreases
b)
Increases
c)
Remains constant
81.

A radioactive isotope has a half life of 20 years. At year 0, there are 100 radioactive atoms. What fraction are left after 100 years of decay? Sketch out a table if you need to.

a)

1/2

b)

1/8

c)

1/16

d)

1/32

82.

A radioactive isotope has a half life of 30 years. At year 0, there are 400 radioactive atoms. How many are left after 120 years of decay? Sketch out a table if you need to.

a)

50 atoms

b)

30 atoms

c)

25 atoms

d)

12.5 atoms

83.

A radioactive isotope has a half life of 30 years. At year 0, there are 400 radioactive atoms. What fraction are left after 120 years of decay? Sketch out a table if you need to.

a)

1/2

b)

1/8

c)

1/16

d)

1/32

84.

A radioactive isotope has a half life of 20 years. At year 0, there are 100 radioactive atoms. How many daughter atoms exist after 40 years of decay? Sketch out a table if you need to.

a)

100

b)

75

c)

50

d)

25

85.

The radioactive isotope Cesium-137 has a half life of 30 years. At year 0, there are 400 radioactive atoms. It undergoes 3 half-lives. How long has the parent material been decaying to reach that point? Sketch out a table if you need to.

a)

0

b)

30

c)

90

d)

120

86.

The radioactive parent material Cesium-137 decays into its daughter element Barium-137 giving off ionizing radiation. Which of the following is the correct decay process?

a)
b)
c)
d)
87.

What is 1 called?

a)

Radiation shield

b)

Fuel rods

c)

Generator

d)

Turbine

88.

What is 2 called?

a)

Radiation shield

b)

Fuel rods

c)

Steam generator

d)

Turbine

89.

What is 4 called?

a)

Radiation shield

b)

Steam Generator

c)

Generator

d)

Turbine

90.

What is 5 called?

a)

Cooling Tower

b)

Steam Generator

c)

Coolant

d)

Turbine

91.

What is 7 called?

a)

Cooling Tower

b)

Reactor

c)

Fuel

d)

Condensor

92.

What is 11 called?

a)

Cooling Tower

b)

Coolant

c)

Nuclear fuel

d)

Condensor

93.

What is 10 called?

a)

Turbine

b)

Control Rods

c)

Nuclear fuel

d)

Condensor

94.

What soaks up or absorbs free or extra neutrons within a nuclear reactor?

a)

Control Rods

b)

Moderator

c)

Containment building

d)

Reactor Vessel

95.

What step in the fuel cycle involves crushing uranium ore and concentrating it into yellowcake, while the leftover non-useful material is removed?

a)

Mining

b)

Milling

c)

Conversion

d)

Enriching

96.

What step in the fuel cycle involves temporarily storing fuel rods underwater or in an above-ground storage unit to allow the short half-life wastes to decay?

a)

Mining

b)

reactor

c)

Conversion

d)

interim storage

97.

What step in the fuel cycle involves dissolving used fuel rods in acid, collecting the still useful fuel and sending it back to make new pellets, then disposing of the high-level wastes in long-term storage?

a)

spent fuel reprocessing

b)

reactor

c)

Conversion

d)

interim storage

98.

The type of radiation that can cause mutations in human cells or DNA is called?

a)

non-ionizing

b)

ionizing

c)

visible light

d)

radiowaves

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