Question 1

Identify the particle that copper-63 is bombarded with in the reaction:  + ? →  +

Accepted Answer

Copper-63 is bombarded with a proton (11eb6911_39a0_2866_bb3a_0d970cf50e5c_TB8309_11) to produce nickel-64 and a neutron (11eb6911_39a0_0154_bb3a_c909abbf59ba_TB8309_11).

Question 2

The reaction  +  →  +  is an example of

Accepted Answer

The given reaction involves the combination of two smaller nuclei to form a larger nucleus, which is characteristic of a fusion reaction.

Question 3

In order for a chain reaction to be self-sustaining, there must be sufficient nuclear material present, and it must be in an appropriate physical configuration.

Accepted Answer

This is because a self-sustaining chain reaction requires a critical mass of nuclear material to maintain the reaction rate, and the material must be arranged in a way that allows for fission events to occur and for neutrons to be captured by other nuclei. Without these conditions, the chain reaction would not be able to continue indefinitely.

Question 4

The amount of time that it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay is called half-time.

Accepted Answer

The correct term for the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive sample to decay is called half-life, not half-time.

Question 5

When bombarded by a neutron, uranium-235 undergoes fission. If the nuclides produced are barium-141 and krypton-92, how many neutrons are emitted?

Accepted Answer

When uranium-235 undergoes fission after absorbing a neutron, it splits into smaller nuclides and releases additional neutrons. The atomic mass of uranium-235 plus one neutron is 236. The sum of the atomic masses of barium-141 and krypton-92 is 233. The difference, 236 - 233, equals 3, indicating that 3 neutrons are emitted during the fission process.

Question 6

The type of reaction that powers the sun is a fission reaction.

Accepted Answer

The type of reaction that powers the sun is actually a fusion reaction, where hydrogen atoms combine to form helium.

Question 7

________ includes all forms of energy that originates from a source and travels through matter or space, such as visible light, X-rays, and radio waves. ________ is a property of ________ atoms that have an excess of matter, energy, or both.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ________ includes all forms of energy that...

Question 8

When food is irradiated to kill bacteria and mold, the food itself becomes radioactive.

Accepted Answer

When food is irradiated, it does not become radioactive. Irradiation uses ionizing energy such as gamma rays, X-rays, or electron beams to kill bacteria and mold. This energy does not remain in the food and does not make it radioactive.

Question 9

In the initial steps of the decay series for uranium-238, it emits 1 alpha particle, followed by 2 beta particles, and then 3 more alpha particles in six steps. Indicate the elemental symbol and the mass number of the final product.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the initial steps of the decay...

Question 10

Compare the decay of a 100.0 mg sample of iodine-131 (half-life = 8.0 days)to the decay of a 100.0 mg sample of phosphorus-32 (half-life = 14.3 days). After 15 days, which nuclide, I-131 or P-32, will have the greater number of atoms of the original nuclide?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare the decay of a 100.0 mg...

Question 11

What application of radioactive nuclides is based on the following characteristics? The radioactive nuclides can be tracked due to their radioactivity. Their chemical behavior is similar to that of non-radioactive versions of the same element, so the radioactive atoms will take part in the same reactions as their non-radioactive counterparts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What application of radioactive nuclides is based...

Question 12

If a sample of iron-52 is found to have an activity that decreases to 25% of its original value in 16 hours, estimate the half-life of iron-52.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a sample of iron-52 is found...

Question 13

Two half-lives is the length of time required for a sample of a radioactive material to decay completely.

Accepted Answer

Two half-lives is the length of time required for a sample of a radioactive material to decay to 25% of its original amount, not completely. It takes approximately 5 half-lives for a sample to decay completely.

Question 14

The critical mass is the amount of fissionable material necessary to support a continuing chain reaction.

Accepted Answer

The critical mass is indeed the amount of fissionable material necessary to support a continuing chain reaction.

Question 15

Radon-222 is only dangerous if it undergoes radioactive decay while in the lungs.

Accepted Answer

Radon-222 is a radioactive gas that can be inhaled and become trapped in the lungs, where it can undergo radioactive decay and emit harmful alpha particles, increasing the risk of lung cancer. Radon-222 is considered dangerous even at low levels, and proper ventilation and testing can help prevent exposure.

Question 16

The reaction  →  +  is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of The reaction  →  + ...

Question 17

Gamma radiation is the most penetrating type of radiation.

Accepted Answer

Gamma radiation has the highest energy and shortest wavelength, allowing it to penetrate most materials, including thick layers of concrete and metal.

Question 18

When  undergoes a fusion reaction with  to produce only one particle product, what is the product?

Accepted Answer

When the two particles undergo fusion, the resulting product needs to have a different combination of the numbers/letters that come after the fourth hyphen. Looking at the options, only option C satisfies this condition.

Question 19

Control rods in a nuclear reactor control the rate of water circulation through the reactor core.

Accepted Answer

Control rods in a nuclear reactor control the rate of nuclear fission by absorbing neutrons, not the rate of water circulation through the reactor core.

Question 20

Alpha particles are the least harmful type of radiation upon external exposure of animal tissues.

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles are large and heavy, meaning they have a short range and are easily stopped by a sheet of paper or even the outer layers of skin. This makes them the least harmful type of radiation upon external exposure of animal tissues. However, if alpha-emitting materials are inhaled or ingested, they can cause serious damage to internal tissues.

Quiz 15: Nuclear Chemistry

Identify the particle that copper-63 is bombarded with in the reaction: + ? → +

The reaction + → + is an example of