Question 1

In the following fission reaction, the atomic number and mass of nucleus Y are:

A) 37,100
B) 37,102
C) 38,102
D) 39,99
E) 39,100

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

Fission and fusion reactions have in common _______.
A) absorption of energy in the nuclear reaction
B) high temperature requirements
C) liberation of neutrons
D) loss of mass of products over reactants
E) gain in mass of products over reactants.

Accepted Answer

Both fission and fusion reactions result in a loss of mass of products compared to reactants, which is converted into energy according to Einstein's mass-energy equivalence principle (E=mc²).

Question 3

Exceedingly high temperatures are needed in a fusion reactor because _______.
A) electrostatic barriers must be overcome
B) the fuel must be ionized
C) combustion needs heat to occur
D) water must be boiled and pressurized.

Accepted Answer

Exceedingly high temperatures are needed in a fusion reactor because the fuel must be heated to a point where the electrostatic barriers between atomic nuclei are overcome, allowing them to fuse and release energy.

Question 4

The best way to reduce your radiation dose from a Co-60 gamma emitting source is to _______.
A) reduce the temperature of the source
B) move twice as far away
C) spend half the time near the source
D) double the thickness of wood between you and the source
E) nonsense! You cannot change the potential dose

Accepted Answer

The intensity of radiation decreases by the inverse square of the distance from the source, so moving twice as far away from the source will reduce the radiation dose by a factor of 4.

Question 5

The reason a nuclear reactor will not explode like a bomb is because ________.
A) the uranium-235 enrichment is too low.
B) there is not enough uranium-238 present.
C) the cooling water will always take away the heat
D) there are control rods present
E) …nonsense! It can explode like a bomb in the event of a loss of coolant accident

Accepted Answer

The uranium-235 enrichment in a nuclear reactor is much lower than that in a nuclear bomb, preventing the rapid, uncontrolled chain reaction necessary for an explosion.

Question 6

For the same energy, the most penetrating type of radiations in human tissue are ________.
A) alpha particles
B) beta particles
C) gamma rays

Accepted Answer

Gamma rays have the highest energy and shortest wavelength, making them the most penetrating type of radiation in human tissue. Alpha particles have the lowest energy and are easily stopped by a few centimeters of air or a piece of paper, while beta particles are moderately penetrating and can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum.

Question 7

If a light-weight stable nucleus has 12 neutrons, the atomic mass is expected to be about:
A)6
B)12
C)18
D)24
E)36 amu.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If a light-weight stable nucleus has 12...

Question 8

The average radiation dose received from radon in the home is ________.
A) less than a dental x-ray dose.
B) comparable to that from a nuclear plant
C) very dependent upon local geology
D) larger in older homes

Accepted Answer

Radon levels and the resulting radiation dose are highly dependent on local geology, as radon is a natural radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium in the earth's crust. The concentration of radon in a home can vary significantly based on the uranium content in the local soil and rock.

Question 9

The largest component of ionizing radiation the average American receives is from:
A) radon
B) cosmic rays
C) TV
D) medical x-rays
E) terrestrial sources

Accepted Answer

Radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the decay of uranium found in nearly all soils, is the largest source of ionizing radiation for the average American. It accumulates in homes and buildings, leading to significant exposure.

Question 10

The majority of the radiation emitted to the general public in the normal operation of a nuclear plant comes from the ________.
A) cooling water discharged to a lake or a river.
B) reactor core directly.
C) spent fuel rods stored on site.
D) fission fragment gases vented to the atmosphere.
E) low level wastes shipped from the plant

Accepted Answer

The answer of The majority of the radiation emitted to...

Question 11

The future disposal of high level radioactive waste will probably be done in the US in ________.
A) volcanic rock
B) deep seabed sediments
C) transmutation processes
D) concrete building, as proposed for West Valley, NY
E) containers at present nuclear power plant sites

Accepted Answer

The answer of The future disposal of high level radioactive...

Question 12

The two purposes of water in a reactor core are ______.
A) neutron absorber and heat transfer liquid
B) neutron moderator and heat transfer liquid
C) neutron moderator and neutron absorber
D) neutron absorber and lubricant
E) neutron moderator and radiation shield

Accepted Answer

Water serves as both a neutron moderator and a heat transfer liquid in a reactor core. As a moderator, water slows down fast-moving neutrons, making them more likely to cause fission in the fuel. As a heat transfer liquid, water carries the heat away from the fuel to power turbines and generate electricity. Water does not absorb neutrons to a significant degree. It is not a lubricant and does not provide radiation shielding.

Question 13

The Emergency Core Cooling System is used in the event of an accident to ________.
A) stop the fission reactions
B) reduce fuel rod temperatures
C) provide backup power to control rods
D) change the decay heat of the fuel pellets

Accepted Answer

The Emergency Core Cooling System is designed to reduce fuel rod temperatures in the event of an accident, preventing them from overheating and potentially melting. It does not have the ability to stop fission reactions, provide backup power to control rods, or change the decay heat of the fuel pellets.

Quiz 7: Nuclear

In the following fission reaction, the atomic number and mass of nucleus Y are:

Fission and fusion reactions have in common _______.

Exceedingly high temperatures are needed in a fusion reactor because _______.

The best way to reduce your radiation dose from a Co-60 gamma emitting source is to _______.

The reason a nuclear reactor will not explode like a bomb is because ________.

For the same energy, the most penetrating type of radiations in human tissue are ________.

If a light-weight stable nucleus has 12 neutrons, the atomic mass is expected to be about:

The average radiation dose received from radon in the home is ________.

The largest component of ionizing radiation the average American receives is from:

The majority of the radiation emitted to the general public in the normal operation of a nuclear plant comes from the ________.

The future disposal of high level radioactive waste will probably be done in the US in ________.

The two purposes of water in a reactor core are ______.

The Emergency Core Cooling System is used in the event of an accident to ________.