Nuclear Physics Quiz

What is the overall charge on an atom?

• positive

• negative

• neutral

• partially negative

What does the mass number represent?

• The total number of protons and neutrons

• The number of isotopes

• The number of electrons

• The number of protons only

What particles make up the nucleus of an atom?

• Neutrons and electrons

• Protons and neutrons

• Alpha particles and beta particles

• Electrons and protons

What is an isotope?

• An atom with different mass numbers

• An atom with the same number of protons but different electrons

• An atom with the same number of neutrons but different protons

• An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons

What was the main finding of Rutherford's gold foil experiment?

• Atoms are mostly empty space

• Protons and neutrons are the same

• Atoms are solid and indivisible

• Electrons are located in the nucleus

What type of radiation is emitted during alpha decay?

• A gamma ray

• A composite particle of two protons and two neutrons

• An electron

• A neutron

Which of the following particles is negatively charged?

• Proton

• Neutron

• Alpha particle

• Electron

What is the charge of an alpha particle?

• Neutral

• Negative

• Positive

• Variable

What is the penetrating ability of gamma radiation?

• Not blocked by any material

• Blocked by lead/concrete

• Blocked by aluminum

• Blocked by paper

What happens to an atom when it becomes an ion?

• It gains or loses a neutron

• It gains or loses a proton

• It gains or loses an electron

• It gains or loses a photon