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PS M20 Test Review Radioactivity and Nuclear Reactions

Total questions: 24

Worksheet time: 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When one large nucleus is split into two smaller nuclei, the process is nuclear _____.

a)

fission

b)

decay

c)

fusion

d)

tracing

2.

Two or more nuclei combine to form one larger nucleus in the process of nuclear _____.

a)

decay

b)

fusion

c)

fission

d)

tracing

3.

The three types of nuclear radiation in increasing order of penetrating power are ____.

a)

alpha, gamma, beta

b)

alpha, beta, gamma

c)

X-ray, gamma, beta

d)

X-ray, beta, gamma

4.

For which of the following problems would a scientist most likely use carbon-14?

a)

to identify the elements that make up a rock

b)

to calculate the age of a piece of bone

c)

to identify the elements that make up a bone

d)

to calculate the age of the Earth's oldest rocks

5.

The type of radioactive particle that can be stopped by a sheet of paper is the ____.

a)

alpha particle

b)

uranium

c)

gamma ray

d)

beta particle

6.

A helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons is called a(n) ____.

a)

gamma ray

b)

electroscope

c)

beta particle

d)

alpha particle

7.

Which produces more energy--nuclear fission or nuclear fusion?

a)

fusion

b)

fission

c)

They produce the same amount.

d)

It depends on the reaction.

8.

Both a fusion reaction and a fission reaction ____.

a)

take place at room temperature

b)

produce energy

c)

causes chain reactions

d)

use hydrogen as a fuel

9.

The process by which nuclei having low masses are united to form nuclei with larger masses is ____.

a)

a chain reaction

b)

a chemical reaction

c)

nuclear fission

d)

nuclear fusion

10.

Gamma rays have a _____ charge.

a)

+1

b)

0

c)

+2

d)

-1

11.

Radioactive tracers are useful in ____.

a)

treating brain tumors

b)

calculating the ages of fossils

c)

determining medical problems

d)

fueling nuclear reactions

12.

The radioisotope iodine-131 is used to determine the health of the thyroid gland. Iodine-131 is an example of _____.

a)

an allotrope

b)

a tracer

c)

a structure

d)

radiation

13.

Beta particles have a _____ charge.

a)

0

b)

+1

c)

-1

d)

+2

14.

Neutrons released in a fission reaction can strike other nuclei and cause ____.

a)

a chain reaction

b)

an electron avalanche

c)

fusion reactions

d)

radioactive decay

15.

When the strong force is not sufficient to hold unstable nuclei together permanently, ____.

a)

nuclear fusion occurs

b)

a solid becomes a liquid

c)

the nuclei decay

d)

carbon-12 changes into carbon-14

16.

The greatest source of radiation most humans are exposed to is _____.

a)

radon

b)

medical X rays

c)

cosmic rays

d)

rocks and soil

17.

The correct nuclear notation for the isotope oxygen-15 is _____.

a)

b)

c)

d)

18.

The stability of an isotope nucleus depends on the ____.

a)

atomic mass

b)

number of neutrons

c)

atomic number

d)

neutron-to-proton ratio

19.

Alpha particles have a _____ charge.

a)

+2

b)

+1

c)

0

d)

-1

20.

Negatively charged particles emitted from a nucleus at a high speed are ____.

a)

beta particles

b)

X rays

c)

alpha particles

d)

gamma rays

21.

U-235 and U-238 are examples of _____.

a)

particles of radiation

b)

isotopes

c)

tracers

d)

allotropes

22.

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)

cloud chamber

b)

Geiger counter

c)

electroscope

d)

bubble chamber

23.

Match the following

a)

A(n) _____ consists of a helium nucleus.

1.

alpha particle

b)

A(n) _____ is a high-energy electron released from a nucleus during radioactive decay.

2.

beta particle

c)

The unit of radiation used to measure the amount of radiation received by an organism is called the _____.

3.

gray

d)

The _____ is a unit of radiation that measures the amount of radiation absorbed by a tissue.

4.

sievert

e)

A(n) _____ is a device in which a nuclear reaction is used to generate energy.

5.

nuclear reactor

24.

Match the following

a)

_____ is the reaction that occurs when two small nuclei join together to form a larger nucleus.

1.

nuclear fussion

b)

_____ is the process by which a single large nucleus breaks apart into two smaller nuclei.

2.

nuclear fission

c)

The spontaneous emission of radiation by a nucleus is known as _____.

3.

radioactivity

d)

A(n) _____ is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation commonly released during radioactive decay.

4.

gamma ray

e)

The time required for half of a sample of a radioactive substance to undergo nuclear decay is called the _____.

5.

half-life