Star Talk Explainer Quiz

What scientific concepts are central to the Oppenheimer craze?

• Genetics and evolution

• Quantum mechanics and relativity

• Fission and fusion

• Thermodynamics and electromagnetism

What is an isotope?

• An atom with a different number of molecules

• An atom with a different number of neutrons

• An atom with a different number of electrons

• An atom with a different number of protons

What happens when uranium undergoes fission?

• It turns into a gas

• It absorbs energy and becomes stable

• It releases energy and splits into smaller atoms

• It combines with other atoms

According to Einstein's equation, what is the relationship between mass and energy?

• They are inversely proportional

• They are unrelated

• Energy is twice the mass

• They are equivalent

What is required to initiate nuclear fusion?

• Low temperature and pressure

• High temperature and pressure

• A catalyst

• A magnetic field

What is a chain reaction in the context of nuclear fission?

• A reaction that requires constant input

• A reaction that stops after one cycle

• A series of chemical reactions

• A self-sustaining series of nuclear reactions

What was the primary goal of the Manhattan Project?

• To develop renewable energy

• To create a nuclear weapon

• To study the effects of radiation

• To explore space travel

How does a nuclear explosion affect the environment?

• It has no significant impact

• It improves air quality

• It only affects the immediate area

• It can cause widespread climate disruption

What was a major concern about nuclear chain reactions in the atmosphere?

• They could cause global warming

• They might incinerate the atmosphere

• They could create new elements

• They might stop all weather patterns

What was Einstein's initial stance on nuclear weapons?

• He believed they were impossible

• He was always against them

• He supported their development initially

• He never expressed an opinion