Physics · Science General

Nuclear Physics and Energy

1,296 Questions

Access a comprehensive set of questions on nuclear physics, reactor mechanisms, and atomic energy. Topics include nuclear fission, plasma generation, and radiation control. These physics questions form a core part of the syllabus for various engineering and civil service exams.

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Nuclear Physics and Energy Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a characteristic of fission reaction?

  1. All fission products are radioactive.

  2. Large amount of energy is released due to conversion of a small mass to energy.

  3. Two or more neutrons are produced by fission from each nucleus.

  4. Two light weight nuclei combine to give a fission product.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In nuclear fission, heavy nucleus cleaves into two nuclei on bombardment with slow neutrons and there is no combination of nuclei.

Multiple choice

Chernobyl nuclear disaster had occurred in

  1. U.S.A

  2. U.K

  3. U.S.S.R

  4. Japan
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Chernobyl disaster occurred in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was located in the Ukrainian SSR, part of the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R).

Multiple choice

An atom bomb is based on the principle of

  1. nuclear fission

  2. nuclear fusion

  3. nuclear spallation

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An atom bomb operates on the principle of uncontrolled nuclear fission, where heavy nuclei split into smaller nuclei, releasing massive energy.

Multiple choice

U-235 is used in nuclear power plants as a fuel but U-238 cannot be used as a fuel because

  1. U-238 is not a naturally occurring isotope of uranium

  2. U-238 does not undergo fission easily enough to be used as a fuel

  3. Uranium-238 does not undergo radioactive decay

  4. There is not enough uranium-238 in naturally occurring uranium to use it as a fuel
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

U-238, is fissionable but not fissile.It undergoes induced fission when impacted by an energetic neutron. But too few of the neutrons produced by U-238 fission are energetic enough to induce further fissions in it, so no chain reaction is possible with this isotope. Instead, bombarding 238U with slow neutrons causes it to absorb them (becoming 239U) .

Multiple choice

The process of splitting a heavy nucleus into a stable nuclei of intermediate mass is known as

  1. nuclear fusion

  2. nuclear fission

  3. nuclear transmutation

  4. radioactivity

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei), often producing free neutrons and photons (in the form of gamma rays), as well. Fission of heavy elements is an exothermic reaction which can release large amounts of energy both as electromagnetic radiation and as kinetic energy of the fragments.

Multiple choice

In which of the activity is silicon carbide used?

  1. Cutting a hard substance

  2. Making of curd

  3. Formation of an alloy

  4. Radiation of uranium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Silicon carbide is an extremely hard material, often used as an abrasive in cutting tools, grinding wheels, and sandpaper.

Multiple choice

A nuclear power plant has a moderator which

  1. absorbs neutrons and thereby controls the fission reactions

  2. slow downs the neutrons produced from the fission reactions so that they can be absorbed by more fuel

  3. carries the heat produced from the fission reactions to an external turbine

  4. protects the workers and the environment from radiation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is to slow down the neutrons produced in fission, because slow neutrons are much more likely to be captured by a U-235 nucleus, thus continuing the chain reaction.

Multiple choice

Which of the following structures in a nuclear reactor maintains the temperature?

  1. Coolant

  2. Moderators

  3. Shielding

  4. Control rods
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The coolant prevents overheating in the reactor from . The coolant liquid carries the unused heat to an outside cooling tower. There is a large cooling tower at Nine Mile 2. Some of the heat is sent to a boiler to generate steam and turn the turbines that generate electricity. Shielding prevents radiation leaks; moderators slow down nuclear reactions; control rods absorb neutrons and halt the reaction.

Multiple choice

In a nuclear reactor liquid sodium is used as:

  1. moderators

  2. control rods

  3. shielding

  4. coolant
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The coolant is substance in a pipe to the steam generator where water is boiled. This is where heat-exchange process occurs. Heat is absorbed by the coolant that is produced in the reactor. Typical coolants are water, carbon dioxide gas or liquid sodium.

Multiple choice

In a nuclear reactor, the elements Cd & B are used to make:

  1. moderators

  2. turbines

  3. control rods

  4. generator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

These rods absorb neutrons and stop the chain reaction to proceed further. These are made up of steel containing a high percentage of material like cadmium or boron which can absorb neutrons. When control rods are completely inserted into the moderator block then all the neutrons is absorbed and reaction comes to halt.