Wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Radioactivity and Nuclear Chemistry Quiz: Decay and Fission

Total questions: 46

Worksheet time: 2hrs 22mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Explain the process of alpha decay and identify the changes in the atomic number and mass number of the original nucleus.

a)

The atomic number decreases by 2, and the mass number decreases by 4.

b)

The atomic number increases by 2, and the mass number remains the same.

c)

The atomic number decreases by 1, and the mass number decreases by 2.

d)

The atomic number remains the same, and the mass number decreases by 4.

2.

A certain isotope undergoes beta decay. Describe the change in the atomic number and mass number of the isotope.

a)

The atomic number decreases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.

b)

The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.

c)

The atomic number remains the same, and the mass number decreases by 1.

d)

The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number decreases by 1.

3.

Describe the role of neutrons in a nuclear fission chain reaction.

a)

Neutrons slow down the reaction by absorbing energy.

b)

Neutrons initiate and propagate the chain reaction by causing further fission.

c)

Neutrons have no role in a chain reaction.

d)

Neutrons convert into protons during the reaction.

4.

Calculate the remaining amount of a 100g sample of a radioactive substance after 3 half-lives.

a)

12.5g

b)

25g

c)

50g

d)

6.25g

5.

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 5 years. How much of a 200g sample will remain after 15 years?

a)

100g

b)

50g

c)

25g

d)

12.5g

6.

Explain why gamma radiation does not change the atomic number or mass number of a nucleus.

a)

Gamma radiation involves the emission of protons.

b)

Gamma radiation involves the emission of neutrons.

c)

Gamma radiation involves the emission of energy, not particles.

d)

Gamma radiation involves the emission of electrons.

7.

Given a nuclear reaction: 92235U+01n→56141Ba+3692Kr+301n^{235}_{92}U + ^1_0n \rightarrow ^{141}_{56}Ba + ^{92}_{36}Kr + 3^1_0n . Explain the significance of the neutrons produced in this reaction.

a)

They are absorbed by the products, stopping the reaction.

b)

They escape the reaction, having no further effect.

c)

They can initiate further fission reactions, sustaining a chain reaction.

d)

They convert into protons, increasing the atomic number of the products.

8.

A sample of a radioactive isotope decays to 18\frac{1}{8} of its original amount in 24 years. What is the half-life of the isotope?

a)

3 years

b)

6 years

c)

8 years

d)

12 years

9.

Compare and contrast alpha and beta decay in terms of their effects on the atomic number and mass number of a nucleus.

a)

Alpha decay increases atomic number; beta decay decreases it.

b)

Alpha decay decreases both atomic and mass numbers; beta decay increases atomic number but not mass number.

c)

Both alpha and beta decay decrease atomic number.

d)

Alpha decay does not change atomic number; beta decay decreases mass number.

10.

Calculate the number of half-lives required for a sample to decay to 116\frac{1}{16} of its original amount.

a)

2 half-lives

b)

3 half-lives

c)

4 half-lives

d)

5 half-lives

11.

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 10 years. If you start with a 160g sample, how much will remain after 30 years?

a)

80g

b)

40g

c)

20g

d)

10g

12.

Explain how the concept of half-life is used to determine the age of an archaeological artifact.

a)

By measuring the current amount of a radioactive isotope and comparing it to its original amount.

b)

By measuring the increase in mass of the artifact over time.

c)

By determining the color change in the artifact.

d)

By measuring the amount of energy emitted by the artifact.

13.

A radioactive substance has a half-life of 2 years. If you have a 32g sample, how much will remain after 6 years?

a)

4g

b)

8g

c)

16g

d)

2g

14.

What is the primary reason for using control rods in a nuclear reactor?

a)

To decrease the energy output of the reactor.

b)

To convert neutrons into protons.

c)

To absorb excess neutrons and regulate the chain reaction.

d)

To increase the rate of fission reactions.

15.

How does beta decay affect the atomic structure of an element?

a)

The atomic number decreases by 1, and the mass number decreases by 1.

b)

The atomic number remains the same, and the mass number decreases by 1.

c)

The atomic number decreases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.

d)

The atomic number increases by 1, and the mass number remains the same.

16.

Calculate the remaining amount of a 50g sample of a radioactive substance after 4 half-lives.

a)

25g

b)

12.5g

c)

6.25g

d)

3.125g

17.

Finish the following:

55Fe → β + _____

a)

55Co

b)

51Cr

c)

55Cr

d)

51Co

18.

Is this alpha or beta decay?

60Co → _____ + 60Ni

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

d)

Grandpa

19.

Is the following alpha or beta decay?

243U → ____ + 239Th

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

d)

Gramma

20.

Which choice is the correct alpha decay of uranium-238?

a)
b)
c)
d)
21.

Solve the nuclear decay reaction:

a)
b)
c)
d)
22.

Solve the nuclear decay reaction:

a)

b)

c)

d)

23.

finish the equation


18173Ta --> ____ + 18174W

a)

42He

b)

0-1e

c)

y

24.

finish the equation


18173Ta --> ____ + 18174W

a)

42He

b)

0-1e

c)

y

25.

Solve this equation for alpha decay.

88226Ra --> ___ + 24He

a)

86222Rn

b)

89226Ac

c)

84224Po

d)

88225Ra

26.

How many protons does this isotope have?

a)

131

b)

53

c)

184

d)

78

27.

What is the mass number of this isotope?

a)

131

b)

53

c)

184

d)

78

28.
Which type of nuclear radiation is being emitted here?
a)
Alpha
b)
beta
c)
gamma 
d)
none
29.
Solve this equation for alpha decay.
85209At = ___ + 24He
a)
83205Bi
b)
86209Rn
c)
81207Tl
d)
85208At
30.
Solve this equation for beta decay.
614C = ___ + -10e
a)
410Be
b)
714N
c)
210He
d)
613C
31.

If we start off with element 5024X after an alpha decay we get another element Y that looks like

a)

5022Y

b)

4622Y

c)

4820Y

d)

5426Y

32.

22087Fr —› ____ + 42He

a)

22089Ac

b)

22490Th

c)

21685At

d)

21688Ra

33.

22286Rn —› ____ + 42He

a)

22589Ac

b)

21187Fr

c)

21885At

d)

21884Po

34.

13755Cs —› ____ + 0-1e

a)

17872Hf

b)

13753I

c)

14154Xe

d)

13756Ba

35.

3215P—› ____ + 0-1e

a)

3216S

b)

3214Si

c)

1632S

d)

3417Cl

36.

Is the following alpha or beta decay?

243U → ____ + 239Th

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

d)

Gramma

37.

Is this alpha or beta decay?

60Co → _____ + 60Ni

a)

Alpha

b)

Beta

c)

Gamma

d)

Grandpa

38.

Finish the following:

55Fe → β + _____

a)

55Co

b)

51Cr

c)

55Cr

d)

51Co

39.

Match the radioactive decay particle with its description.

a)

A helium nucleus (2 p+, 2 n0)

1.

alpha particle

b)

an electron

2.

beta particle

c)

wave of energy

3.

gamma ray

40.

Match the symbol to each type of radiation

a)
1.

alpha particle

b)
2.

beta particle

c)

00γ

3.

gamma ray

41.

Each type of radioactive decay particle can be stopped by different materials. Match the particle with the type of material needed to stop its movement.

a)

paper

1.

alpha particle

b)

aluminum

2.

beta particle

c)

lead/concrete

3.

gamma ray

42.

During beta decay, a neutron in the nucleus of an atom is transformed into:

a)

A proton and emits a gamma ray

b)

A proton and emits an electron

c)

An alpha particle

d)

A proton and a neutron

43.

What is the product of beta decay of Carbon-14?

a)

Carbon-13

b)

Nitrogen-14

c)

Oxygen-14

d)

Hydrogen-14

44.

What is the product of alpha decay of Uranium-238?

a)

Thorium-234

b)

Uranium-235

c)

Plutonium-239

d)

Neptunium-237

45.

 Balance the following nuclear equation:

           1327Al + 01n ⟶ 1124Na  +   ?\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ _{13}^{27}Al\ +\ _0^1n\ \longrightarrow\ _{11}^{24}Na\ \ +\ \ \ ?  


a)

   24He\ \ \ _2^4He  

b)

   25H\ \ \ _2^5H  

c)

   1342 Al\ \ \ _{13}^{42\ }Al  

d)

   1425Si\ \ \ _{14}^{25}Si  

46.
What is the product of the alpha decay of Gold-175?
a)
Ir-171
b)
Tl-179
c)
Au179
d)
Au171

Similar Resources on Wayground

Kuster ~ Atomic Models and their Scientists

47 questions

Kuster ~ Atomic Models and their Scientists

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

C1 Lessons 1-12

50 questions

C1 Lessons 1-12

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 11th Grade

Fall semester review 2024

44 questions

Fall semester review 2024

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

Periodic Table Review

47 questions

Periodic Table Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

8th - 9th Grade

Boyles and Charles Law Review

45 questions

Boyles and Charles Law Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

Metals and Non Metals

50 questions

Metals and Non Metals

quiz

Worksheet

•

KG - University

Chemistry 1 Semester 1 Review

42 questions

Chemistry 1 Semester 1 Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th - 12th Grade

Elements and Bonds: Unit #2

45 questions

Elements and Bonds: Unit #2

quiz

Worksheet

•

9th Grade