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Physics for IGCSE & O level - Atoms And Radioactivity (Section 5)

1
What is the unit of measurement for the activity of a radioactive source?
Answer
(C)
Becquerel
2
What is the process where an atom emits energy in the form of a photon?
Answer
(D)
Emission
3
What is the main purpose of a nuclear reactor's containment structure?
Answer
(B)
To prevent the escape of radioactive materials
4
In Rutherford's experiment, most of the alpha particles went straight through the gold foil. What did this suggest?
Answer
(A)
The atom is mostly empty space.
5
What is the definition of a half-life?
Answer
(B)
The time it takes for half of the radioactive material to decay.
6
What is a beta particle?
Answer
(A)
An electron
7
Which of the following are fundamental particles?
Answer
A
D
8
What is a fundamental particle?
Answer
(C)
A particle that is not made up of other particles.
9
In the equation for beta decay, which particle is represented as zero mass and +1 charge?
Answer
(B)
Beta particle
10
Which of the following is the smallest component of an atom?
Answer
(C)
Electron
11
Which part of the atom has the smallest size?
Answer
(A)
Nucleus
12
What is an isotope?
Answer
(C)
An atom with the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons.
13
Which of the following is a use of radioactivity?
Answer
(D)
All of the above
14
Which type of radiation is most dangerous to human health?
Answer
(C)
Gamma
15
What is the charge of alpha particle?
Answer
(B)
+2
16
What can be used to measure the thickness of a material in a manufacturing process?
Answer
(C)
Gamma radiation
17
What is the term for atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons?
Answer
(A)
Isotopes
18
What does the Geiger-Müller tube measure?
Answer
(C)
The amount of radioactivity in the air
19
What does the smoke detector contain?
Answer
(A)
A weak source of alpha particles
20
What type of particle does a beta decay process emit?
Answer
(C)
Beta particle
21
Which of the following is an example of background radiation?
Answer
(B)
Cosmic rays
22
What is the role of a heat exchanger in a nuclear power plant?
Answer
(A)
To create steam to drive the turbines.
23
What is measured in Becquerels?
Answer
(B)
The activity of a radioactive source
24
What is the charge of an electron?
Answer
(B)
Negative
25
What blocks alpha radiation?
Answer
(B)
A sheet of paper
26
What is the main advantage of using radioactive isotopes in medical imaging?
Answer
(B)
They can be used to trace and visualize internal processes.
27
What are some of the key principles to be considered when designing a nuclear reactor?
Answer
A
B
C
28
What is the main reason for using a moderator in a nuclear reactor?
Answer
(B)
To slow down the neutrons.
29
How does the mass number change during alpha decay?
Answer
(D)
Decreases by 4
30
What are different forms of the same element called?
Answer
(B)
Isotopes
31
What happens to the atomic number during beta decay?
Answer
(A)
Increases by 1
32
What does the letter 'c' represent in the equation E=mc²?
Answer
(C)
The speed of light
33
Which of these radiation types is NOT affected by magnetic or electric fields?
Answer
(C)
Gamma rays
34
Which of the following describes background radiation?
Answer
(D)
All of the above
35
Which type of radiation is used in medical imaging?
Answer
(C)
Gamma
36
Which radiation can be stopped by a thin sheet of paper?
Answer
(A)
Alpha
37
What process is used in smoke detectors to detect smoke particles?
Answer
(C)
Ionization of air by alpha particles
38
What is the function of a collimator in medical imaging?
Answer
(A)
To focus the radiation
39
What type of radiation is the most penetrating?
Answer
(C)
Gamma rays
40
Which particles have a positive (+) charge?
Answer
(A)
Protons
41
What type of particles are found inside the nucleus of an atom?
Answer
(B)
Protons and neutrons
42
What are the three main types of nuclear radiation?
Answer
(A)
Alpha, beta, and gamma
43
What are different versions of the same element called?
Answer
(B)
Isotopes
44
What is the function of the control rods in a nuclear reactor?
Answer
(B)
To absorb neutrons
45
Which of the following is a characteristic of alpha particles?
Answer
(B)
They are easily stopped by a sheet of paper.
46
What is a key characteristic of a nuclear reactor?
Answer
(A)
It uses the energy of the atom.
47
What is the main function of the fuel rods in a nuclear reactor?
Answer
(B)
To generate heat and contain fissionable material.
48
What is one thing that cannot be done to speed up radioactive decay?
Answer
(D)
None of these.
49
How many half-lives have passed when a radioactive sample has decayed to 1/8 of its original amount?
Answer
(C)
3
50
Which type of radiation can be stopped by a few millimeters of aluminum?
Answer
(B)
Beta particles