Free Printable Radioactivity Mega Mix

1.

Look at the diagram of an atom of a common element. What is the atomic number?

a)

3

b)

4

c)

7

d)

10

2.

Look at the diagram of an atom of a common element. What is the mass number?

a)

3

b)

4

c)

7

d)

10

3.

Two isotopes of the same element have

a)

the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

b)

the same number of protons but different numbers of electrons

c)

the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons

d)

the same number of electrons but different numbers of protons

4.

A radioactive isotope is a substance that

a)

will eventually gain electrons through bonding

b)

will become stable by cooling down

c)

is unstable and will 'decay' by losing particles

d)

is not found naturally on the Earth

5.

Which of the above best describes the words 'contamination' and irradiation'?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

6.

Which type(s) of radiation is the most ionising?

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

alpha and beta

e)

beta and gamma

7.

Which type(s) of radiation is a fast moving electron?

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

alpha and beta

e)

beta and gamma

8.

Which type(s) of radiation can pass through paper?

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

alpha and beta

e)

beta and gamma

9.

When Uranium decays it emits an alpha particle, forming an isotope of Thorium. Which of the above decay equations is correct?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

10.

What change takes place to an atom during beta decay?

a)

A proton changes into a neutron

b)

A proton changes into an electron

c)

An electron changes into a neutron

d)

A neutron changes into a proton

11.

In the above decay equation, what are the missing numbers x and y?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

12.

The half-life of a substance is

a)

the amount of substance left after it has decayed

b)

the time it takes for half of the isotope to decay

c)

the time it takes for half the mass to have radiated away

d)

the mass of half of the isotope after decaying

13.

The activity of an isotope is

a)

the number of particles/rays emitted per second

b)

the same as the half-life in seconds

c)

the amount of radiation emitted over the lifespan of the isotope

d)

the amount of heat generated per second

14.

Which of the above graphs shows how the activity of a sample varies with time?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

15.

A sample of 16 g of radioactive substance X has a half-life of 2 hours. What percentage of the sample is left after 6 hours?

a)

none

b)

12.5 %

c)

25 %

d)

33.3 %

16.

Which of the following half-lives would be most suitable for a medical tracer used in a patient?

a)

3 minutes

b)

3 hours

c)

3 days

d)

3 years

17.

Nuclear fusion occurs in Hydrogen nuclei in the Sun. A hydrogen nuclei consists of a single proton. Fusion requires very high temperatures and high speeds of nuclei to make them fuse together because...

a)

the nuclei bounce off each other at low speeds

b)

protons repel each other as they are positively charged

c)

the protons are too massive to fuse easily

d)

the protons decay easily at low temperatures

18.

what's the half life of this substance?

a)

1 day

b)

2 days

c)

3 days

d)

4 days

19.

___________ Is the use of radioactivity in agriculture to sterilize food.

a)

Pasteurization

b)

Irradiation

c)

Fission

d)

Decay

20.

Name the instrument used to detect radioactivity.

a)

voltmeter

b)

ohmeter

c)

seismograph

d)

geiger muller tube

21.

Which type of radiation is the most penetrating?

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

22.

In order of most to least penetrating radiation we have

a)

Alpha , Beta, Gamma

b)

Beta , Gamma , Alpha

c)

Gamma, Beta, Alpha

d)

Gamma, Alpha, Beta

23.

If we start off with element ₂₄X⁵⁰ after an alpha decay we get another element Y that looks like

a)

₂₂Y⁵⁰

b)

₂₂Y⁴⁶

c)

₂₀Y⁴⁸

d)

₂₆Y⁵⁴

24.

Has the symbol

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

25.

Has a mass of 4 and a charge of +2

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

26.

Which type of nuclear radiation is being emitted here?

a)

Alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

none

27.

Where does fusion occur naturally?

a)

Underwater

b)

All around us

c)

In the radioactive waste

d)

On the sun

28.

Americium - 241 has a half life of 400 years. If a sample contains 24 grams starts to decay, after how long will 3 grams be left?

a)

400 yrs

b)

800 yrs

c)

1200 yrs

d)

1600 yrs

29.

A radioactive source emits radiation that can pass through a sheet of paper but not through thick aluminium. What does this show about the radiation?

a)

It is alpha-particles.

b)

It is beta-particles.

c)

It is gamma-rays.

d)

It is a mixture of alpha-particles and gamma-rays

30.

Which line in the table describes the nature of an alpha-particle and a gamma-ray?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

31.

A radioactive nucleus R decays with the emission of a β-particle as shown:

Which equation is correct?

a)

x = p

b)

y = q

c)

p = x – 1

d)

q = y – 1

32.

How many nucleons are in a nucleus of ?

a)

19

b)

20

c)

39

d)

58

33.

The equation shows the decay of the nuclide X:

What are the values of P and Q ?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

34.

Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect?

a)

α-particles

b)

β-particles

c)

γ-rays

d)

all have the same ionising effect

35.

An unstable nucleus has 145 neutrons and 92 protons. It emits a β-particle.

How many neutrons and protons does the nucleus have after emitting the β-particle?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

36.

Which particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?

a)

neutrons and protons only

b)

neutrons only

c)

protons and electrons only

d)

protons, electrons and neutrons

37.

A Geiger counter detects radiation from radioactive sources.

A radioactive source is inside a thick aluminium container as shown:

Which type of radiation from this source is being detected?

a)

α-particles

b)

β-particles

c)

γ-rays

d)

radio waves

38.

Which line in the table describes the nature of an α-particle and of a γ-ray?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

39.

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 2 minutes. What can be deduced from this statement?

a)

After 2 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

b)

After 1 minute, half of the isotope remains.

c)

After 4 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

d)

After 4 minutes, none of the isotope remains.

40.

A detector is used to measure the count-rate near a radioactive source. The reading is 4000

counts per minute. After 30 minutes the count-rate has fallen to 500 counts per minute.

What is the half-life of the radioactive source? You may ignore the effects of background

radiation.

a)

3 minutes

b)

5 minutes

c)

6 minutes

d)

10 minutes

41.

A freshly made sample of radioactive material gives a count rate of 8000 counts per minute. After

20 days, it gives a count rate of 500 counts per minute.

What is the half-life of the material?

a)

4.0 days

b)

5.0 days

c)

20 days

d)

80 days

42.

What occurs in the decay of a radioactive nucleus?

a)

The nucleus absorbs another nucleus.

b)

The nucleus absorbs at least one form of radiation.

c)

The nucleus always splits into two equal fragments.

d)

The nucleus emits at least one form of radiation.

43.

A student investigates a radioactive source that emits only alpha-particles. Without any source

nearby, the detector shows a low reading. The source and thick cardboard are placed near the detector, as shown:

What is the reading on the detector now, and why?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

44.

In nuclear ……1……, hydrogen nuclei ……2…… to form helium nuclei, releasing energy.

Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

45.

Ra decays with a half-life of 1600 s.

Rn decays with a half-life of 52 s.

Po decays with a half-life of 9.1 s.

Pb decays with a half-life of 10.6 h.

The changing count rate for one of these radioactive nuclides is shown in the graph.

From the half-life shown by the graph, which was the decaying radioactive nuclide?

a)

Ra

b)

Rn

c)

Po

d)

Pb

46.

The unit of activity is...

a)

Becquerel

b)

Seconds

c)

Metres

d)

Sievert

47.

The atomic number indicates how many...are found in the nucleus of an atom.

a)

Neutrons

b)

Protons

c)

Electrons

d)

Quarks

48.

The most penetrating form of nuclear radiation is...

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

heat

49.

Which best describes the structure of a beta particle?

a)

helium nucleus

b)

slow moving proton

c)

fast moving electron

d)

high frequency light wave

50.

What is the half-life of this radioactive substance?

a)

5700 years

b)

11400 years

c)

17100 years

d)

22800 years

51.

The overall charge on an alpha particle is...

a)

-1

b)

0

c)

+1

d)

+2

52.

The overall charge on a gamma ray is...

a)

-1

b)

0

c)

+1

d)

+2

53.

The most ionising form of nuclear radiation is...

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

infrared

54.

Carbon-12 has an atomic number of 6 and a mass number of 12. How many electrons would be found in a neutral atom of carbon-12?

a)

6

b)

12

c)

18

d)

24

55.

A radioactive source has an initial activity of 200kBq and a half-life of 15 days. How many days would it take for the activity to fall to 25kBq?

a)

15

b)

30

c)

45

d)

60

56.

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

57.

A radioactive source emits radiation that can pass through a sheet of paper but not through thick aluminium. What does this show about the radiation?

a)

It is alpha-particles.

b)

It is beta-particles.

c)

It is gamma-rays.

d)

It is a mixture of alpha-particles and gamma-rays

58.

How many nucleons are in a nucleus of ?

a)

19

b)

20

c)

39

d)

58

59.

The equation shows the decay of the nuclide X:

What are the values of P and Q ?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

60.

A Geiger counter detects radiation from radioactive sources.

A radioactive source is inside a thick aluminium container as shown:

Which type of radiation from this source is being detected?

a)

α-particles

b)

β-particles

c)

γ-rays

d)

radio waves

61.

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 2 minutes. What can be deduced from this statement?

a)

After 2 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

b)

After 1 minute, half of the isotope remains.

c)

After 4 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

d)

After 4 minutes, none of the isotope remains.

62.

A detector is used to measure the count-rate near a radioactive source. The reading is 4000

counts per minute. After 30 minutes the count-rate has fallen to 500 counts per minute.

What is the half-life of the radioactive source? You may ignore the effects of background

radiation.

a)

3 minutes

b)

5 minutes

c)

6 minutes

d)

10 minutes

63.

Two isotopes of the same element have

a)

the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons

b)

the same number of protons but different numbers of electrons

c)

the same number of neutrons but different numbers of protons

d)

the same number of electrons but different numbers of protons

64.

When Uranium decays it emits an alpha particle, forming an isotope of Thorium. Which of the above decay equations is correct?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

65.

What form of radiation should a medical tracer emit?

a)

alpha

b)

beta

c)

gamma

d)

any of these

66.

Which line in the table describes the nature of an alpha-particle and a gamma-ray?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

67.

A radioactive nucleus R decays with the emission of a β-particle as shown:

Which equation is correct?

a)

x = p

b)

y = q

c)

p = x – 1

d)

q = y – 1

68.

The equation shows the decay of the nuclide X:

What are the values of P and Q ?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

69.

Which type of radiation has the greatest ionising effect?

a)

α-particles

b)

β-particles

c)

γ-rays

d)

all have the same ionising effect

70.

Which particles are found in the nucleus of an atom?

a)

neutrons and protons only

b)

neutrons only

c)

protons and electrons only

d)

protons, electrons and neutrons

71.

A Geiger counter detects radiation from radioactive sources.

A radioactive source is inside a thick aluminium container as shown:

Which type of radiation from this source is being detected?

a)

α-particles

b)

β-particles

c)

γ-rays

d)

radio waves

72.

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 2 minutes. What can be deduced from this statement?

a)

After 2 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

b)

After 1 minute, half of the isotope remains.

c)

After 4 minutes, half of the isotope remains.

d)

After 4 minutes, none of the isotope remains.

73.

A detector is used to measure the count-rate near a radioactive source. The reading is 4000

counts per minute. After 30 minutes the count-rate has fallen to 500 counts per minute.

What is the half-life of the radioactive source? You may ignore the effects of background

radiation.

a)

3 minutes

b)

5 minutes

c)

6 minutes

d)

10 minutes

74.

The half-life of a radioisotope is 2400 years. The activity of a sample is 720 counts /s.

How long will it take for the activity to fall to 90 counts /s?

a)

300 years

b)

2400 years

c)

7200 years

d)

19 200 years

75.

What occurs in the decay of a radioactive nucleus?

a)

The nucleus absorbs another nucleus.

b)

The nucleus absorbs at least one form of radiation.

c)

The nucleus always splits into two equal fragments.

d)

The nucleus emits at least one form of radiation.

76.

A student investigates a radioactive source that emits only alpha-particles. Without any source

nearby, the detector shows a low reading. The source and thick cardboard are placed near the detector, as shown:

What is the reading on the detector now, and why?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

77.

In nuclear ……1……, hydrogen nuclei ……2…… to form helium nuclei, releasing energy.

Which words correctly complete gaps 1 and 2?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

78.

How many nucleons are in a nucleus of ?

a)

19

b)

20

c)

39

d)

58

79.

Compared with β-particles and γ-rays, α-particles

a)

are the only type of radiation to carry a charge.

b)

have the greatest ionising effect.

c)

have the greatest penetrating effect.

d)

have the smallest mass.

80.

The diagram shows a box used for storing radioactive sources.

Which material is best for lining the box to prevent the escape of most radioactive emissions?

a)

aluminium

b)

copper

c)

lead

d)

steel

81.

The count rate from a radioactive isotope is recorded every hour. The count rate is corrected forbackground radiation.

The table shows the readings.

What estimate of the half-life of the isotope can be obtained from the readings in the table?

a)

between 1 and 2 hours

b)

between 2 and 3 hours

c)

between 3 and 4 hours

d)

between 4 and 5 hours

82.

The half-life of a radioactive substance is 10 minutes. A sample of the radioactive substancecontains 2000 nuclei.

How many radioactive nuclei were in the sample half an hour earlier?

a)

250

b)

4000

c)

6000

d)

16 000

83.

A radiation detector is placed close to a source of β-particles.

Aluminium sheets of increasing thickness are placed between the source and the detector.

Eventually a sheet which is 2.0 cm thick is used. The reading on the detector decreases, but does not fall to zero.

Why does the reading not fall to zero?

a)

Some of the β-particles go round the edges of the sheet.

b)

The detector is too close to the source.

c)

There is always some background radiation.

d)

The sheet can never be thick enough to absorb all the β-particles

84.

A radioactive nucleus emits a β-particle.

What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?

a)

It stays the same.

b)

It increases by 1.

c)

It decreases by 2.

d)

It decreases by 4.

85.

A scientist needs to use a source of γ-rays as safely as possible.

Which action will not reduce the amount of radiation that reaches the scientist?

a)

keeping the distance between the source and the scientist as large as possible

b)

keeping the temperature of the source as low as possible

c)

keeping the time for which the scientist uses the source as small as possible

d)

placing a lead screen between the scientist and the source

86.

The arrangement shown is used to check whether the flour inside a cardboard packet is above a certain level. If it is above this level, the flour absorbs the radiation from the source so that it doesn’t reach the detector.

Which type of radiation is suitable to use?

a)

α-particles only

b)

β-particles only

c)

either α-particles or β-particles

d)

γ-rays only

87.

Which of these is a use of alpha radiation?

a)

Sterilising food

b)

Smoke detectors

c)

Monitoring paper thickness

d)

Industrial tracers

88.

Radioactive tracers are useful in ____.

a)

calculating the ages of fossils

b)

fueling nuclear reactions

c)

determining medical problems

d)

treating brain tumors

89.

Nuclear fission happens when a uranium-235 nucleus is hit by a ……….....……… and splits into two smaller …………….....…. .

a)

neutron

b)

electron

c)

proton

d)

atom

e)

nuclei

90.

When a uranium-235 nucleus undergoes fission, it releases two or three …………......…… and energy.

a)

protons

b)

daughter nuclei

c)

neutrons

d)

atoms

91.

What is the role of the control rods

a)

absorb excess neutrons

b)

move thermal energy away from the rods

c)

slow down neutrons

d)

prevent irradiation of workers

92.

What is the role of the moderator

a)

absrob excess neutrons

b)

repel neutrons

c)

slow down neutrons

d)

speed up neutrons

93.

What is the role of the shielding

a)

absrob excess neutrons

b)

move thermal energy away from the rods

c)

slow down neutrons

d)

prevent irradiation of workers

Radioactivity Mega Mix

Total questions: 93

Worksheet time: 32mins

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