3.1 Quiz - Nuclear Emissions

  • AP Physics
  • IB Physics
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Quizzes Created: 8 | Total Attempts: 27,742
| Attempts: 421 | Questions: 10 | Updated: Mar 21, 2025
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1. The nucleus of U-238 is unstable. This causes U-238 to spontaneously...

Explanation

Unstable nuclei are due to the neutron-to-proton ratio being greater than 1.5:1, causing the nucleus to spontaneously decay or break down.

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About This Quiz
Nuclear Physics Quizzes & Trivia

The '3.1 Quiz - Nuclear Emissions' assesses understanding of nuclear stability and decay types, focusing on properties and effects of alpha, beta, and gamma emissions. It's crucial for learners studying nuclear physics, providing insights into fundamental atomic behaviors.

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2. Which nuclear decay has the greatest penetrating power and the least mass?

Explanation

Gamma radiation has the greatest penetrating power (remember: alpha, beta, gamma), but the least mass (0 amu, top number on Table O).

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3. Which nuclear emission has the most mass and least penetrating power?

Explanation

Alpha particles have the greatest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O), but the least penetrating power (remember: alphabetical order... Alpha, Beta, Gamma).

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4. Which nuclear decay consists of helium nuclei?

Explanation

Alpha particles equal helium nuclei. They have a mass of 4 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

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5. Without looking at a graph, why is O-16 a stable nuclide?

Explanation

The number of protons equals atomic number. The number of neutrons equals mass number (16 for O-16) minus atomic number (8 for O-16). The band of stability (range of stabilities for neutron-to-proton ratios) is 1:1-1.5:1. Any nuclide with a neutron-to-proton ratio in this range is stable and will not spontaneously decay.

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6. Which nuclear decay consists of electrons?

Explanation

Beta particles equal electrons. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of -1 (bottom number, Table O).

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7. Which nuclear decay consists of energy, only?

Explanation

Gamma particles are equivalent to energy. They have a mass of 0 amu (top number, Table O) and a charge of 0 (bottom number, Table O).

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8. Which list correctly ranks nuclear emissions in order of increasing mass? 

Explanation

Beta, Gamma, and Positrons all have a mass of 0 amu (top number on Table O), meaning smallest mass. Alpha particles have the largest mass of 4 amu (top number on Table O).

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9. Which list correctly organizes nuclear emissions in order of increasing charge?

Explanation

Beta particles have the smallest charge of -1, Gamma particles have a charge of 0, Positrons have a charge of +1, Alpha particles have a charge of +2 (bottom number, Table O).

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10. Which of the following correctly lists the number of protons, the number of neutrons, the mass number, and the nuclide notation for N on this graph? (ONLY use this graph. Do not look at other references. I want you to test how much you know!!!!)

Explanation

Number of protons=x-value, number of neutrons=y-value, mass number=protons + neutrons, nuclide=symbol + mass number.

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The nucleus of U-238 is unstable. This causes U-238 to...
Which nuclear decay has the greatest penetrating power and the least...
Which nuclear emission has the most mass and least penetrating power?
Which nuclear decay consists of helium nuclei?
Without looking at a graph, why is O-16 a stable nuclide?
Which nuclear decay consists of electrons?
Which nuclear decay consists of energy, only?
Which list correctly ranks nuclear emissions in order of increasing...
Which list correctly organizes nuclear emissions in order of...
Which of the following correctly lists the number of protons, the...
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