Physics · Chemistry

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

519 Questions

Radioactivity and nuclear physics encompass the study of radioactive decay processes, neutron to proton ratios, and nuclear medicine. Questions cover various detection mechanisms, including scintillation counters and neutrino telescopes. These concepts are frequently tested in advanced science and civil services examinations.

Radioactive decayNuclear medicineParticle detectionNeutrino telescopesCosmic ray detection

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics Questions

Multiple choice

The radioactive emanations having a charge of -1 is

  1. alpha particles

  2. gamma rays

  3. beta particles

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

Beta particles have a charge of minus 1, and a mass of about 1/2000th of a proton. This means that beta particles are the same as an electron. They are fast and light. Beta particles have a medium penetrating power.

Multiple choice

The chemical properties of U-235 will be similar to the:

  1. Pa-233

  2. Pa-235

  3. U-233

  4. Pb-206
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The isotopes have the same atomic number (number of protons), the same number of electrons, but a different atomic mass because the number of neutrons is different. U-233 is an isotope of U-235 so, their chemical properties are similar.

Multiple choice

Name the isotope used in PET scanning

  1. C11

  2. N13

  3. O15

  4. Any of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

PET scans use radiotracers that emit positrons. Common isotopes used include Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, and Oxygen-15, which are all short-lived positron emitters.

Multiple choice

Directions: Read the following information carefully and answer the question given below. In an effort to deny criticism that the radiation emitted from a nuclear research plant poses a health hazard to the surrounding city, the research establishment which operates the facility issued a statement stating that “the level of radiation emitted from the facility is usually lower than that emitted during a chest X-Ray exposure.”

Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the facility's argument?

  1. Level of radiation produced by chest X-Ray exposures is higher than that of many other medical tests such MRI, CT Scan and household appliances such as television sets and computer display terminals.

  2. <div align="justify">The amount of radiation that nearby colony residents are exposed to from the research plant is, over time, much greater than the amount of radiation they are exposed to from chest X-Ray exposures.

  3. The nuclear research plant is surrounded by a restricted access area, which is clearly marked and contains posted warnings about the potential radioactive hazard.

  4. Research indicates that the particular type of radiation emitted by the research plant takes longer to reach levels dangerous to human health than the type produced by chest X-Ray exposure.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

To weaken an argument attack the assumption. This argument assumes that the amount and type of radiation emitted from the research plant and that emitted from chest X-Ray exposures are comparable. This choice shows that they are not comparable.

Multiple choice

What is the full form of LEU?

  1. Low encrypted uranium

  2. Low enriched uranium

  3. Low engraved uranium

  4. Low engaged uranium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Low enriched uranium

Multiple choice

Which of the following is called beta rays?

  1. High energy electromagnetic radiations

  2. Stream of electrons

  3. Helium atoms that have lost two electrons

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Beta rays consist of high-speed electrons or positrons emitted from the nucleus of a radioactive atom during beta decay.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is called gamma rays?

  1. High energy electromagnetic radiations

  2. Stream of electrons

  3. Helium atoms that have lost two electrons

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

Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive decay, possessing no mass or charge.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is called alpha rays?

  1. High energy electromagnetic radiations

  2. Stream of electrons

  3. Helium atoms that have lost two electrons

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons, which is identical to the nucleus of a helium atom (a helium atom that has lost its two electrons).

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 21?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Radium is a radioactive element. Let us see what “radioactive” _____ (21) ____. Radioactive elements do not change from year to year. But a few of the heaviest atoms break down and change into other kinds. This breakdown or ____ (22) _____ is called “radio activity”. Each radioactive element disintegrates by giving off rays at a certain rate. This rate cannot be _____ (23) ____ or slowed down by any known method. Some changes occur rapidly, others slowly, but in all cases the action cannot be _____ (24) ______ by man.

  1. explains

  2. gives

  3. means

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

The next sentence explains the meaning of radioactive element. Therefore, the correct option is 'means'.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 22?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Radium is a radioactive element. Let us see what “radioactive” _____ (21) ____. Radioactive elements do not change from year to year. But a few of the heaviest atoms break down and change into other kinds. This breakdown or ____ (22) _____ is called “radio activity”. Each radioactive element disintegrates by giving off rays at a certain rate. This rate cannot be _____ (23) ____ or slowed down by any known method. Some changes occur rapidly, others slowly, but in all cases the action cannot be _____ (24) ______ by man.

  1. tear off

  2. failure

  3. decay

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

Here we are looking for a similar meaning word as decay, which out of the four given options is 'decay'.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 24?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Radium is a radioactive element. Let us see what “radioactive” _____ (21) ____. Radioactive elements do not change from year to year. But a few of the heaviest atoms break down and change into other kinds. This breakdown or ____ (22) _____ is called “radio activity”. Each radioactive element disintegrates by giving off rays at a certain rate. This rate cannot be _____ (23) ____ or slowed down by any known method. Some changes occur rapidly, others slowly, but in all cases the action cannot be _____ (24) ______ by man.

  1. diagnosed

  2. controlled

  3. caused

  4. highlighted
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The sentence means to say that man cannot regulate the changes. Hence, (2) is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which of these fits gap 23?

Directions: Complete this passage by selecting the most suitable option for the corresponding gap.
Radium is a radioactive element. Let us see what “radioactive” _____ (21) ____. Radioactive elements do not change from year to year. But a few of the heaviest atoms break down and change into other kinds. This breakdown or ____ (22) _____ is called “radio activity”. Each radioactive element disintegrates by giving off rays at a certain rate. This rate cannot be _____ (23) ____ or slowed down by any known method. Some changes occur rapidly, others slowly, but in all cases the action cannot be _____ (24) ______ by man.

  1. moved

  2. changed

  3. speeded up

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

The sentence is talking about any kind of change and the possible changes are slowing down. Or speeding up. Since the former is already mentioned, the correct answer is (3) speeded up.