Nuclear Physics and Radioactive Decay Quiz

What is nuclear fusion?

• The splitting of atomic nuclei

• The combination of two atomic nuclei

• The decay of unstable isotopes

• The emission of gamma rays

Stars primarily begin with which element?

• Helium

• Carbon

• Hydrogen

• Oxygen

The mass number of an atom represents:

• The number of electrons only

• The number of protons only

• The sum of protons and neutrons

• The number of neutrons only

What are isotopes?

• Atoms with different numbers of protons

• Atoms with same atomic number but different mass numbers

• Atoms with no neutrons

• Atoms with no electrons

An alpha particle is equivalent to:

• A proton

• An electron

• A helium nucleus

• A neutron

During beta decay, what happens to the atomic number?

• Decreases by 2

• Increases by 1

• Stays the same

• Decreases by 1

How many protons and neutrons are in an alpha particle?

• 2 protons, 1 neutron

• 1 proton, 2 neutrons

• 2 protons, 2 neutrons

• 1 proton, 1 neutron

Gamma rays are:

• Charged particles

• Low frequency radiation

• High frequency electromagnetic radiation

• Slow-moving electrons

What is released during nuclear fusion?

• Only heat

• Only light

• Only radiation

• Energy in multiple forms

Synthetic elements are:

• Naturally occurring elements

• Elements made by humans

• Stable isotopes only

• Elements found in stars