Chapter 25:
Nuclear Chemistry
Practice Test
1.
What are isotopes of atoms with unstable nuclei called?
a.
radioactive decay
b.
radiation
c.
radioisotopes
d.
radioactivity
Hint
2.
Carbon-14 is used to date archaeological artifacts. If carbon-14 decays by loss of a beta particle, what new element is formed?
a.
boron-14
b.
nitrogen-14
c.
nitrogen-13
d.
carbon-13
Hint
3.
Radiation that is energetic enough to ionize matter is called ionizing radiation. Which of the following devices could be used to detect ionizing radiation?
a.
film badge
b.
Geiger counter
c.
scintillation counter
d.
all of the above
Hint
4.
The elements with atomic numbers greater than 92 are _______________.
a.
lanthanides
b.
actinides
c.
halogens
d.
transuranium elements
Hint
5.
To hold the nucleons together in the nucleus, energy is required. What is the name of this energy?
a.
free energy
b.
binding energy
c.
kinetic energy
d.
thermal energy
Hint
6.
Which particle emitted during radioactive decay is indistinguishable from an electron?
a.
beta particle
b.
alpha particle
c.
gamma particle
d.
delta particle
Hint
7.
What happens to the mass of an atom when it undergoes alpha decay?
a.
There is no change in mass.
b.
The mass decreases by 4.
c.
The mass increases by 4.
d.
The mass decreases by 1.
Hint
8.
The atomic number of an atom ________ when it undergoes positron emission.
a.
increases by 1
b.
decreases by 2
c.
decreases by 1
d.
increases by 2
Hint
9.
A series of nuclear reactions that begins with an unstable nucleus and results in the formation of a stable nucleus is _______________.
a.
the Balmer series
b.
a radioactive decay series
c.
an isotope series
d.
a band of stability
Hint
10.
What ratio is used to evaluate the stability of a nucleus?
a.
the electron to proton ratio
b.
the atomic number to mass number ratio
c.
the electron to neutron ratio
d.
the neutron to proton ratio
Hint
11.
What conditions in the nucleus usually result in beta decay?
a.
The valence electrons are lost.
b.
The nucleus has too many protons.
c.
The nucleus has too many neutrons.
d.
The atomic mass is greater than 300 amu.
Hint
12.
The goal of ancient alchemy was to change lead (atomic number 82) into gold (atomic number 79). Which of the following could result in the transformation of lead into gold?
a.
an induced transmutation that adds an alpha particle and removes a positron from a lead atom
b.
an induced transmutation that removes an alpha particle and a beta particle from a lead atom
c.
an induced transmutation that removes an alpha particle and a positron from a lead atom
d.
an induced transmutation that adds an alpha particle and removes a beta particle from a lead atom
Hint
13.
The reaction products of nuclear fusion are __________ than the reactants.
a.
cooler
b.
less massive
c.
less radioactive
d.
more massive
Hint
14.
What is the name given to the amount of a radioactive substance that is massive enough to sustain a chain reaction?
a.
critical mass
b.
mole
c.
critical condition
d.
mass defect
Hint
15.
What is the name of the process in which a large radioactive isotope is broken into smaller isotopes?
a.
beta emission
b.
nuclear fusion
c.
nuclear fission
d.
transmutation
Hint
16.
The energy produced by the Sun is a result of ___________.
a.
nuclear fusion
b.
radiocarbon dating
c.
nuclear fission
d.
alpha emission
Hint
17.
If an isotope has a half-life of 30 years, how much of an original sample remains after 120 years?
a.
1/64
b.
1/32
c.
1/16
d.
1/8
Hint
18.
The time required for one-half of a radioactive isotope to decay into its products is _______________.
a.
isomerization
b.
half-life
c.
transmutation
d.
half-time
Hint
19.
What particle emitted during radioactive decay has a mass of 4 amu?
a.
delta particle
b.
alpha particle
c.
beta particle
d.
gamma particle
Hint
20.
What happens during positron emission?
a.
A proton is converted into a neutron and an electron.
b.
A neutron is converted into a proton and a positron.
c.
An atomic explosion occurs.
d.
A proton is converted into a neutron and a positron.
Hint
