NAME :

CLASS :
Radioactivity
DATE :
10 Questions

1. When two nuclei are combined into one nucleus, there is

a slight change in mass and the release of a large amount
of energy. What is this process called?

a) Fission b) Fusion
c) Conversion d) Hydration

2. How do the nuclear reactions that power the Sun

compare to the nuclear reactions that occur in a reactor
at a nuclear power facility?

a) Power plants release radiation and the sun b) Nuclear reactions on the sun are less
does not powerful than nuclear reactions in power
plants

c) The Sun is powered via nuclear fusion d) Fission occurs on the sun while fusion
while a nuclear power facility harnesses occurs in a nuclear power facility
energy from nuclear ssion

3. Smoke detectors use americium-241, a radioactive

isotope produced in nuclear reactors, to complete a
sensing circuit. The radioactive decay product of
americium-241 is easily stopped by smoke particles,
breaking the sensing circuit. What does americium-241
emit when it decays?

a) Alpha particles b) Beta particles

c) Gamma rays d) Anions

4. External-beam radiation therapy for cancer patients is
delivered in the form of a high radiation photon beam
directed at cancer cells. What type of radiation provides
the high energy photons that can penetrate deep into
patients’ tissues?

a) Alpha b) Beta
c) Acids d) Gamma

5. Iodine-131 has a half life of 8.07 days. What fraction of a

sample of Iodine-131 is left unchanged after 16.14 days?

a) 1/2 b) 1/4

c) 1/8 d) 1/16

6. The radioactive isotope Nickel-63 has a half life of 100

years. How much of a 10 gram sample remains after 300
years?

a) 1 gram b) 1.25 grams

c) 0.50 grams d) 0.075 grams

7. Finish the following alpha decay reaction:

a) b)

c)
8. Complete the following beta decay reaction:

a) b)

c)

9. What is the splitting of an atomic nucleus into two smaller

parts?

a) Fusion b) Separation

c) Decay d) Fission

10. What is an isotope?

a) forms of the same element that contain b) forms of the same element
equal numbers of electrons but di erent
numbers of protons

c) forms of the same element that contain d) An atom with no nucleus

equal numbers of protons but di erent
numbers of neutrons
Answer Key
1. b 4. d 7. a 10. c
2. c 5. b 8. b
3. a 6. b 9. d