Deck 8: Nuclear Physics and Atomic Physics

Question 1

The following masses are known:
${ }_{0}^{1} \mathrm{n}$ u

${ }_{1}^{1} \mathrm{H}$ u

${ }_{88}^{226} \mathrm{Ra}$ u

The binding energy of ${ }_{88}^{226} \mathrm{Ra}$ , in MeV, is closest to:

A) 1700
B) 1900
C) 2100
D) 2300
E) 2500

Answer 1

1700

Question 2

Today, uranium contains 0.72% ²³⁵U (half-life = 0.70 billion years) and 99.28% ²³⁸U (half-life = 4.5 billion years). At a time 1.9 billion years ago, what was the fraction of ²³⁵U in uranium?

A) 3.53%
B) 4.72%
C) 4.90%
D) 6.75%

Answer 2

3.53%

Question 3

Neodymium ¹⁴⁴Nd is a nuclide that undergoes alpha decay. The nuclide that is the product of the decay is:

A) ${ }_{56}^{142} \mathrm{Ba}$

B) ${ }_{58}^{140} \mathrm{Ce}$

C) ${ }_{559}^{140} \mathrm{Pr}$

D) ${ }_{62}^{148} \mathrm{Sm}$

E) ${ }_{64}^{146} \mathrm{Gd}$

Answer 3

${ }_{58}^{140} \mathrm{Ce}$

Question 4

Scandium ⁴⁴Sc decays by emitting a positron. The nuclide that is the product of the decay is:

A) ${ }_{2}^{43} \mathrm{Sc}$
B) ${ }_{2}^{45} \mathrm{Sc}$

C) ${ }_{20}^{44} \mathrm{Ca}$

D) ${ }_{21}^{43} \mathrm{Ca}$

E) ${ }_{22}^{44} \mathrm{Ti}$

Question 5

The stability of ${ }_{6}^{11} \mathrm{C}$ with respect to alpha, beta-plus, and beta-minus decay is to be determined. The following atomic masses in amu are known:
${ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}$ 4.002603

${ }_{4}^{7} \mathrm{He}$ 7.016928

${ }_{5}^{11} \mathrm{~B}$ 11.009305

${ }_{6}^{11} \mathrm{C}$ 11.011433

${ }_{7}^{11} \mathrm{~N}$ 11.026742

The ${ }_{6}^{11} \mathrm{C}$ nuclide is

A) not subject to alpha, beta-plus, or beta-minus decay.
B) subject to alpha decay only.
C) subject to beta-plus decay only.
D) subject to beta-minus decay only.
E) subject to beta-plus or beta-minus decay, but not to alpha decay.

Question 6

The stability of ${ }_{17}^{36} \mathrm{Cl}$ with respect to alpha, beta-plus, and beta-minus decay is to be determined. The following atomic masses in amu are known:
${ }_{2}^{4} \mathrm{He}$ 4.002603

${ }_{15}^{32} \mathrm{P}$ 31.973907

${ }_{16}^{36} \mathrm{S}$ 35.967081

${ }_{17}^{36} \mathrm{Cl}$ 35.968307

${ }_{18}^{36} \mathrm{Ar}$ 35.967546

The
${ }_{17}^{36} \mathrm{Cl}$ nuclide is

A) not subject to alpha, beta-plus, or beta-minus decay.
B) subject to alpha decay only.
C) subject to beta-plus decay only.
D) subject to beta-minus decay only.
E) subject to beta-plus or beta-minus decay, but not to alpha decay.

Question 7

If L_z = 0 for the hydrogen atom, the electron is not orbiting because it has no angular momentum.

Question 8

Which of the statements below is true?

A) For a particular shell, an electron in a hydrogen atom with a higher angular momentum is more likely to be found in a smaller range of distances from the proton.
B) For a particular shell, an electron in a hydrogen atom with a higher angular momentum is more likely to be found in a larger range of distances from the proton.
C) For a particular shell, an electron in a hydrogen atom with a higher angular momentum will have a higher mechanical energy.
D) For a particular shell, an electron in a hydrogen atom with a higher angular momentum is more likely to be found farther from the proton.

Question 9

What is the greatest magnitude of the orbital angular momentum L that you can find in a state with n = 6?

A) 5.48
B) 5.92
C) 6
D) 6.48