Question 1

Which of the beams is actually composed of charged particles?
A)a
B)b
C)c
D)a and c
E)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Beam a is composed of photons (neutral particles), beam b is composed of neutron particles (neutral particles), while beam c is composed of electrons (charged particles). Therefore, only beams a and c are composed of charged particles, giving option D as the correct answer.

Question 2

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?
A)yes, because alpha particles are the simplest form of radiation
B)no, because it would require the nuclear fission of hydrogen, which is impossible
C)yes, but it does not occur very frequently
D)no, because it does not contain enough nucleons

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen nucleus (also known as a proton) only contains one nucleon, which is not sufficient to emit an alpha particle, consisting of two neutrons and two protons. Therefore, it is not possible for the hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle.

Question 3

Which of the beams is due to a positively charged helium nucleus?
A)a
B)b
C)c
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The positively charged helium nucleus is a particle with a +2 charge, which means it would be deflected towards the negatively charged plate. We see from the diagram that Beam C is being deflected towards the negatively charged plate, indicating that it consists of positively charged particles. Therefore, choice C is the answer.

Question 4

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? gamma
A)lead suit
B)suntan lotion
C)thick leather
D)T-shirt
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Gamma radiation is a highly penetrating form of radiation that requires significant shielding to protect against. Lead is a dense material that is effective at blocking gamma radiation, making a lead suit the best choice for protection. Suntan lotion, thick leather, a T-shirt, and no protection will not provide sufficient shielding against gamma radiation.

Question 5

The alpha particle has twice the electric charge of the beta particle but deflects less than the beta in a magnetic field because it ________.
A)moves much slower
B)moves much faster
C)has much more inertia
D)has much less inertia

Accepted Answer

The alpha particle has much more inertia due to its greater mass (it consists of two protons and two neutrons), which makes it less susceptible to deflection by a magnetic field compared to the lighter, negatively charged beta particle (an electron or positron).

Question 6

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? beta
A)lead suit
B)suntan lotion
C)thick leather
D)T-shirt
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Thick leather can provide enough protection to block beta particles, which are more penetrating than alpha particles but can be stopped by materials denser than clothing, such as leather.

Question 7

People who work around radioactivity wear film badges to monitor the amount of radiation that reaches their bodies. These badges consist of small pieces of photographic film enclosed in a light-proof wrapper. What kind of radiation do these devices monitor?
A)Alpha radiation
B)Beta radiation
C)Gamma radiation
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Film badges typically monitor gamma radiation, which is the most penetrating form of electromagnetic radiation and can travel through many materials. Alpha and beta radiation are typically less penetrating and can be stopped by thin layers of material.

Question 8

Which of the following statements about radiation is true?
A)Radiation can be a useful tool. Like fire, it is only dangerous when misused.
B)Radiation is new: It is a man-made phenomenon.
C)Radiation has no beneficial health applications.
D)all of the above
E)only A or B

Accepted Answer

Radiation can be a useful tool in various fields, such as medicine, energy production, and scientific research. It is only dangerous when not used safely and responsibly. Option B is incorrect as radiation has always existed in nature, and human-made sources have only increased its prevalence. Option C is incorrect as radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer, and imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans rely on radiation.

Question 9

Which of the beams is due to an energetic non-visible light wave?
A)a
B)b
C)c
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the beams is due to...

Question 10

What is a rem?
A)A rem is a unit for measuring radiation exposure.
B)A rem is the maximum exposure limit for occupational safety.
C)Rem stands for Rapid Electron Motion.
D)A rem is the number of radiation particles absorbed per second.
E)Rem is an '80s rock group.

Accepted Answer

A rem is a unit for measuring radiation exposure.

Question 11

Which of the beams is due to alpha particles?
A)a
B)b
C)c
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the beams is due to...

Question 12

You are given three radioactive samples (α, β, and γ)and can only dispose of one. The other two you must keep, one in your hand, the other in your pocket. How would you minimize your exposure risk?
A)keep α in hand, keep β in pocket, and dispose of γ
B)dispose of α, keep β in hand, and keep γ in pocket
C)dispose of α, keep β in pocket and keep γ in hand
D)keep α in pocket, dispose of β, and keep γ in hand
E)keep α in hand, dispose of β, and keep γ in pocket

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are given three radioactive samples (α,...

Question 13

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.
A)emit radiation
B)emit light
C)emit electrons
D)glow in the dark
E)radiate heat

Accepted Answer

Radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei emit particles and/or energy in the form of radiation in order to become more stable.

Question 14

Why would you expect alpha particles to be less able to penetrate materials than beta particles of the same kinetic energy?
A)Alpha particles pick up electrons to become harmless helium atoms.
B)Alpha particles carry twice the electric charge.
C)Alpha particles move much slower for a given kinetic energy.
D)Two of the above answers are reasonable.

Accepted Answer

Alpha particles carry twice the electric charge and move much slower for a given kinetic energy, making them interact more readily with materials and thus less able to penetrate than beta particles.

Question 15

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field because ________.
A)they have opposite charges
B)they spin in opposite directions
C)alpha particles contain nucleons and beta particles do not
D)all of the above

Accepted Answer

Alpha and beta rays have different charges, with alpha particles having a positive charge and beta particles having a negative charge. In a magnetic field, particles with opposite charges will be deflected in opposite directions, so alpha and beta particles will also be deflected in opposite directions due to their different charges.

Question 16

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? alpha
A)lead suit
B)suntan lotion
C)thick leather
D)T-shirt
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following provides the minimum...

Question 17

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?
A)airline pilot
B)quarterback for the Denver Broncos
C)center for the L.A. Lakers
D)deep sea diver
E)lifeguard

Accepted Answer

Airline pilots are exposed to higher levels of cosmic radiation due to the high altitudes at which they work, where the Earth's atmosphere provides less protection against space radiation compared to ground level.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about radiation is true?
A)Your body contains a number of radioactive isotopes.
B)One rem is enough to kill approximately 50 percent of the average population.
C)Radiation damages cells beyond repair.
D)Radiation can make you glow in the dark.

Accepted Answer

It is true that your body naturally contains a number of radioactive isotopes, such as potassium-40 and carbon-14. However, the levels are generally very low and not harmful to your health.

Answer: B 
 This statement is false. One rem of radiation exposure is not enough to kill 50 percent of the average population.

Answer: C 
 This statement is partially true. High levels of radiation exposure can damage cells beyond repair, but lower levels can still cause damage that the body can repair.

Answer: D 
 This statement is false. Radiation exposure does not make you glow in the dark.

Question 19

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?
A)a
B)b
C)c
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

The beam labeled "a" is due to a high energy electron because it is being deflected the most by the electrically charged plates. This indicates that it has the most energy and momentum. The other beams, labeled "b" and "c", are likely of lower energy and momentum as they are being deflected less.

Question 20

Which of the following sources of radiation provides most of our yearly exposure?
A)background radiation
B)smoke detectors
C)living near nuclear power plants
D)televisions (cathode ray tubes)
E)dental and medical X-rays

Accepted Answer

Background radiation, which includes natural sources such as cosmic rays, radon gas, and radiation from the earth's crust, provides the majority of our yearly exposure to radiation. The other options listed contribute much less to our overall exposure.

Quiz 5: The Atomic Nucleus

Which of the beams is actually composed of charged particles?

Is it at all possible for a hydrogen nucleus to emit an alpha particle?

Which of the beams is due to a positively charged helium nucleus?

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? gamma

The alpha particle has twice the electric charge of the beta particle but deflects less than the beta in a magnetic field because it ________.

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? beta

People who work around radioactivity wear film badges to monitor the amount of radiation that reaches their bodies. These badges consist of small pieces of photographic film enclosed in a light-proof wrapper. What kind of radiation do these devices monitor?

Which of the following statements about radiation is true?

Which of the beams is due to an energetic non-visible light wave?

What is a rem?

Which of the beams is due to alpha particles?

You are given three radioactive samples (α, β, and γ) and can only dispose of one. The other two you must keep, one in your hand, the other in your pocket. How would you minimize your exposure risk?

Radioactivity is a tendency for an element or a material to ________.

Why would you expect alpha particles to be less able to penetrate materials than beta particles of the same kinetic energy?

Alpha and beta rays are deflected in opposite directions in a magnetic field because ________.

Which of the following provides the minimum amount of protection you need to block the following form of radiation? alpha

Which of the following professions would likely have the highest occupational exposure to radiation per year?

Which of the following statements about radiation is true?

Which of the beams is due to a high energy electron?

Which of the following sources of radiation provides most of our yearly exposure?