Welcome to the Quiz!
This quiz contains 14 questions from a mix of 1 subtopics.
What primarily determines the stability of an atomic nucleus?
the total number of nucleons
the number of neutrons
the number of protons
the balance between the strong nuclear force and electrostatic force
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Which of the following can cause a nucleus to become unstable and radioactive?
too few neutrons
A total number of nucleons that is too high
all of the above
too many neutrons
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What is the charge of an alpha particle?
+1
0
+2
-1
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Which type of radiation has the highest ionising power?
alpha
beta minus
gamma
beta plus
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Which type of radiation has the longest range in air?
alpha
beta plus
beta minus
gamma
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Alpha decay is characteristic of which type of nuclei?
very light nuclei
nuclei with an excess of protons
nuclei with an excess of neutrons
very heavy nuclei
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Beta minus decay typically occurs in isotopes with:
an equal number of protons and neutrons
an excess of protons
A deficiency of both protons and neutrons
an excess of neutrons
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During beta minus decay, what happens to the atomic number and mass number of the nucleus?
both atomic number and mass number decrease
atomic number increases by one, mass number remains the same
both atomic number and mass number increase
atomic number decreases by one, mass number remains the same
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Beta plus decay typically occurs in isotopes with:
an excess of neutrons
an equal number of protons and neutrons
an excess of protons
A deficiency of both protons and neutrons
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What particle is emitted during beta plus decay?
proton
positron
neutron
electron
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During beta plus decay, what happens to the atomic number and mass number of the nucleus?
atomic number increases by one, mass number remains the same
both atomic number and mass number decrease
atomic number decreases by one, mass number remains the same
both atomic number and mass number increase
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What is the term for the force that acts to hold protons and neutrons within the nucleus together?
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What is the term for the force that causes positively charged protons to repel each other within the nucleus?
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Explain the difference between beta minus and beta plus decay in terms of the particles involved and the changes in atomic number and mass number.
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