0654 Radioactivity Quiz

Question 1 of 35

1

A certain element has several isotopes.

Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

Select one of the following:

A They must have different numbers of electrons orbiting their nuclei.
B They must have the same number of neutrons in their nuclei.
C They must have the same number of nucleons in their nuclei.
D They must have the same number of protons in their nuclei.

Explanation

Question 2 of 35

1

A very important experiment increased scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter.
In the experiment, particles scattered as they passed through a thin metal foil.
Which particles were used, and to which conclusion did the experiment lead?

Select one of the following:

A particles = alpha particles; conclusion = matter is made up of atoms
B particles = alpha particles; conclusion = atoms have a very small nucleus
C particles = beta particles; conclusion = matter is made up of atoms
D particles = beta particles; conclusion = atoms have a very small nucleus

Explanation

Question 3 of 35

1

Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.

Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

Select one of the following:

A They are radioactive.
B They are unstable.
C They have the same number of neutrons.
D They have the same number of protons.

Explanation

Question 4 of 35

1

The scattering of α-particles by a thin metal foil supports the nuclear model of an atom.

Why are α-particles used rather than neutrons?

Select one of the following:

A because they always travel more slowly
B because they are larger in diameter
C because they are heavier
D because they have a positive charge

Explanation

Question 5 of 35

1

The arrangement shown is used to check whether the flour inside a cardboard packet is above a certain level. If it is above this level, the flour absorbs the radiation from the source so that it doesn’t reach the detector.

Which type of radiation is suitable to use?

Select one of the following:

A α-particles only
B β-particles only
C either α-particles or β-particles
D γ-rays only

Explanation

Question 6 of 35

1

A radioactive nucleus contains 128 nucleons. It emits a β-particle.

How many nucleons are now in the nucleus?

Select one of the following:

A 124
B 127
C 128
D 129

Explanation

Question 7 of 35

1

Which diagram could represent the structure of a neutral atom?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 8 of 35

1

A reading is taken every 10 minutes of the number of emissions per second from a radioactive source. The table shows the readings.

What is the half-life of the source?

Select one of the following:

A 10 min
B 20 min
C 40 min
D 60 min

Explanation

Question 9 of 35

1

A radioactive decay can be represented as shown.

The equation is incomplete.
In this decay, the nucleus changes by:

Select one of the following:

A absorbing a neutron.
B absorbing a proton.
C emitting an α-particle.
D emitting a β-particle.

Explanation

Question 10 of 35

1

The graph shows how the decay rate of a radioactive source changes with time.

What will be the decay rate at 8 days?

Select one of the following:

A 0 decays/s
B 125 decays/s
C 250 decays/s
D 500 decays/s

Explanation

Question 11 of 35

1

Sodium-24 decays to magnesium-24 according to the equation shown.
What is the emitted particle?

Select one of the following:

A α-particle
B β-particle
C neutron
D proton

Explanation

Question 12 of 35

1

A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle.

What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?

Select one of the following:

A product after α-emission = a nucleus of a different element ; product after β-emission = a
nucleus of a different element.
B product after α-emission = a nucleus of a different element ; product after β-emission = a
nucleus of the same element.
C product after α-emission = a nucleus of the same element ; product after β-emission = a
nucleus of a different element.
D product after α-emission = a nucleus of the same element ; product after β-emission = a
nucleus of the same element.

Explanation

Question 13 of 35

1

Radioactive materials should be handled carefully.

Which safety precaution does not reduce the risk to people using a radioactive material?

Select one of the following:

A keeping the material a long distance from people
B keeping the material at a low temperature
C using lead screening between the material and people
D using the material for only a short time

Explanation

Question 14 of 35

1

A scientist carries out an experiment using a sealed source which emits β-particles. The range of the β-particles in the air is about 30 cm.

Which precaution is the most effective to protect the scientist from the radiation?

Select one of the following:

A handling the source with long tongs
B keeping the temperature of the source low
C opening all windows in the laboratory
D washing his hands before leaving the laboratory

Explanation

Question 15 of 35

1

A beam of γ-rays passes between two charged metal plates as shown in the diagram.

How do the γ-rays pass between the two charged plates?

Select one of the following:

A The rays are deflected in a direction perpendicular to the page
B The rays are deflected towards the negative plate.
C The rays are deflected towards the positive plate
D The rays will continue in the same direction.

Explanation

Question 16 of 35

1

A radioactive source emits three types of radiation R, S and T.
The diagram shows an experiment set up to study the penetrating properties of R, S and T.

Which types of radiation are R, S and T?

Select one of the following:

A R = α-particles; S = β-particles; T = γ-rays.
B R = α-particles; S = γ-rays; T = β-particles.
C R = β-particles; S = α-particles; T = γ-rays.
D R = γ-rays; S = β-particles; T = α-particles.

Explanation

Question 17 of 35

1

The half-life of a radioactive substance is 10 minutes. A sample of the radioactive substance contains 2000 nuclei.

How many radioactive nuclei were in the sample half an hour earlier?

Select one of the following:

A 250
B 4000
C 6000
D 16000

Explanation

Question 18 of 35

1

The graph shows the activity of a radioactive source over a period of time.

What is the half-life of the source?

Select one of the following:

A 0.5 hours
B 1 hour
C 1.5 hours
D 3 hours

Explanation

Question 19 of 35

1

Why are some radioactive sources stored in boxes made from lead?

Select one of the following:

A Lead absorbs emissions from the radioactive sources.
B Lead decreases the half-life of radioactive sources.
C Lead increases the half-life of radioactive sources.
D Lead repels emissions from the radioactive sources.

Explanation

Question 20 of 35

1

A radioactive nucleus emits a β-particle.

What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?

Select one of the following:

A It stays the same
B It increases by 1
C It decreases by 2
D It decreases by 4

Explanation

Question 21 of 35

1

Which shows the relative ionising effects and penetrating abilities of α-particles and β-particles?

Select one of the following:

A ionising effect - α greater than β; penetrating ability - α greater than β.
B ionising effect - α greater than β; penetrating ability - α less than β.
C ionising effect - α less than β; penetrating ability - α greater than β.
D ionising effect - α less than β; penetrating ability - α less than β.

Explanation

Question 22 of 35

1

A powder contains 400 mg of a radioactive material that emits α-particles.
The half-life of the material is 5 days.

What mass of that material remains after 10 days?

Select one of the following:

A 0 mg
B 40 mg
C 100 mg
D 200 mg

Explanation

Question 23 of 35

1

A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle.

What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 24 of 35

1

A sample of a radioactive isotope has an initial rate of emission of 128 counts per minute and a half-life of 4 days.

How long will it take for the rate of emission to fall to 32 counts per minute?

Select one of the following:

A 2 days
B 2 days
C 8 days
D 12 days

Explanation

Question 25 of 35

1

Which row describes the nature of α-particles and of γ-rays?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 26 of 35

1

The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation, X, Y and Z.

Which row in the table correctly identifies X, Y and Z?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 27 of 35

1

Which row gives the properties of the radiation from radioactive materials?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 28 of 35

1

In a laboratory, a detector of ionising radiation records an average background count rate of 8 counts per second.
A radioactive source is now placed close to the detector. The count rate on the detector rises to 200 counts per second.

What is the count rate due to radiation from the radioactive source?

Select one of the following:

A 25 counts/s
B 192 counts/s
C 200 counts/s
D 208 counts/s

Explanation

Question 29 of 35

1

Which statement about α-radiation is correct?

Select one of the following:

A It is a stream of fast-moving electrons.
B It is a form of electromagnetic radiation.
C It is more highly ionising than γ-radiation.
D It is more penetrating than β-radiation.

Explanation

Question 30 of 35

1

A radioactive source produces a count rate on a detector of 1600 counts/s.
After 32 hours the count rate has fallen to 100 counts/s.
Both count rates have been corrected for background radiation.

What is the half-life of the source?

Select one of the following:

A 2.0 hours
B 6.4 hours
C 8.0 hours
D 16 hours

Explanation

Question 31 of 35

1

α, β and γ-radiations are emitted by radioactive substances.

Which statement is correct?

Select one of the following:

A α-radiation consists of charged particles and is the most highly ionising radiation.
B β-radiation consists of charged particles and is the most penetrating radiation.
C β-radiation consists of uncharged particles and is the least highly ionising radiation.
D γ-radiation consists of uncharged particles and is the least penetrating radiation.

Explanation

Question 32 of 35

1

Which row shows the nature and the penetrating ability of β-particles?

Select one of the following:

A
B
C
D

Explanation

Question 33 of 35

1

A radioactive isotope is placed near a detector. The readings on the detector
are corrected for background radiation and recorded every hour.
The table shows the corrected readings.

What is the half-life of the isotope?

Select one of the following:

A between 0 and 1 hour
B between 1 hour and 2 hours
C between 2 hours and 3 hours
D between 3 hours and 4 hours

Explanation

Question 34 of 35

1

A student investigates how the radiation from a radioactive source changes
with time.
The table shows the results from the detector used by the student.
The experiment is repeated by many other students, who also measure the count rate per minute.
The half-life of the source is known to be exactly 2.0 minutes.

Why is the measured count rate always greater than half the previous value?

Select one of the following:

A Radioactive emissions occur randomly with time.
B The detector used is very close to the source.
C There is background radiation present.
D The radioactive source is decaying.

Explanation

Question 35 of 35

1

In a cathode-ray tube, a hot tungsten cathode releases particles by thermionic emission.

What are these particles?

Select one of the following:

A α-particles
B electrons
C protons
D tungsten atoms

	Created by Jeffrey Piggott about 5 years ago

Quiz for 0654 Coordinated Sciences on Radioactivity.

0654 Radioactivity Quiz

Question 1 of 35

A certain element has several isotopes. Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 2 of 35

A very important experiment increased scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter. In the experiment, particles scattered as they passed through a thin metal foil. Which particles were used, and to which conclusion did the experiment lead?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 3 of 35

Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element. Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 4 of 35

The scattering of α-particles by a thin metal foil supports the nuclear model of an atom. Why are α-particles used rather than neutrons?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 5 of 35

The arrangement shown is used to check whether the flour inside a cardboard packet is above a certain level. If it is above this level, the flour absorbs the radiation from the source so that it doesn’t reach the detector. Which type of radiation is suitable to use?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 6 of 35

A radioactive nucleus contains 128 nucleons. It emits a β-particle. How many nucleons are now in the nucleus?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 7 of 35

Which diagram could represent the structure of a neutral atom?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 8 of 35

A reading is taken every 10 minutes of the number of emissions per second from a radioactive source. The table shows the readings. What is the half-life of the source?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 9 of 35

A radioactive decay can be represented as shown. The equation is incomplete. In this decay, the nucleus changes by:

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 10 of 35

The graph shows how the decay rate of a radioactive source changes with time. What will be the decay rate at 8 days?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 11 of 35

Sodium-24 decays to magnesium-24 according to the equation shown. What is the emitted particle?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 12 of 35

A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle. What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 13 of 35

Radioactive materials should be handled carefully. Which safety precaution does not reduce the risk to people using a radioactive material?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 14 of 35

A scientist carries out an experiment using a sealed source which emits β-particles. The range of the β-particles in the air is about 30 cm. Which precaution is the most effective to protect the scientist from the radiation?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 15 of 35

A beam of γ-rays passes between two charged metal plates as shown in the diagram. How do the γ-rays pass between the two charged plates?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 16 of 35

A radioactive source emits three types of radiation R, S and T. The diagram shows an experiment set up to study the penetrating properties of R, S and T. Which types of radiation are R, S and T?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 17 of 35

The half-life of a radioactive substance is 10 minutes. A sample of the radioactive substance contains 2000 nuclei. How many radioactive nuclei were in the sample half an hour earlier?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 18 of 35

The graph shows the activity of a radioactive source over a period of time. What is the half-life of the source?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 19 of 35

Why are some radioactive sources stored in boxes made from lead?

Select one of the following:

Explanation

Question 20 of 35

A radioactive nucleus emits a β-particle. What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?

A certain element has several isotopes.

Which statement about these isotopes is correct?

A very important experiment increased scientists’ understanding of the structure of matter.
In the experiment, particles scattered as they passed through a thin metal foil.
Which particles were used, and to which conclusion did the experiment lead?

Below are four statements about isotopes of a certain element.

Which statement about the isotopes must be correct?

The scattering of α-particles by a thin metal foil supports the nuclear model of an atom.

Why are α-particles used rather than neutrons?

The arrangement shown is used to check whether the flour inside a cardboard packet is above a certain level. If it is above this level, the flour absorbs the radiation from the source so that it doesn’t reach the detector.

Which type of radiation is suitable to use?

A radioactive nucleus contains 128 nucleons. It emits a β-particle.

How many nucleons are now in the nucleus?

A reading is taken every 10 minutes of the number of emissions per second from a radioactive source. The table shows the readings.

What is the half-life of the source?

A radioactive decay can be represented as shown.

The equation is incomplete.
In this decay, the nucleus changes by:

The graph shows how the decay rate of a radioactive source changes with time.

What will be the decay rate at 8 days?

Sodium-24 decays to magnesium-24 according to the equation shown.
What is the emitted particle?

A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle.

What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?

Radioactive materials should be handled carefully.

Which safety precaution does not reduce the risk to people using a radioactive material?

A scientist carries out an experiment using a sealed source which emits β-particles. The range of the β-particles in the air is about 30 cm.

Which precaution is the most effective to protect the scientist from the radiation?

A beam of γ-rays passes between two charged metal plates as shown in the diagram.

How do the γ-rays pass between the two charged plates?

A radioactive source emits three types of radiation R, S and T.
The diagram shows an experiment set up to study the penetrating properties of R, S and T.

Which types of radiation are R, S and T?

The half-life of a radioactive substance is 10 minutes. A sample of the radioactive substance contains 2000 nuclei.

How many radioactive nuclei were in the sample half an hour earlier?

The graph shows the activity of a radioactive source over a period of time.

What is the half-life of the source?

A radioactive nucleus emits a β-particle.

What happens to the proton number (atomic number) of the nucleus?

A powder contains 400 mg of a radioactive material that emits α-particles.
The half-life of the material is 5 days.

What mass of that material remains after 10 days?

A radioactive nucleus emits either an α-particle or a β-particle.

What are the products of these two types of radioactive emission?

A sample of a radioactive isotope has an initial rate of emission of 128 counts per minute and a half-life of 4 days.

How long will it take for the rate of emission to fall to 32 counts per minute?

The diagram shows the paths of three different types of radiation, X, Y and Z.

Which row in the table correctly identifies X, Y and Z?

A radioactive source produces a count rate on a detector of 1600 counts/s.
After 32 hours the count rate has fallen to 100 counts/s.
Both count rates have been corrected for background radiation.

What is the half-life of the source?

α, β and γ-radiations are emitted by radioactive substances.

Which statement is correct?

A radioactive isotope is placed near a detector. The readings on the detector
are corrected for background radiation and recorded every hour.
The table shows the corrected readings.

What is the half-life of the isotope?

In a cathode-ray tube, a hot tungsten cathode releases particles by thermionic emission.

What are these particles?