Nuclear Physics

The hydrogen nucleus consists of A) a single proton. B) one proton and two neutrons. C) one proton and one neutron. D) a single neutron.

A) a single proton.

A metal surface is illuminated with blue light and electrons are ejected at a given rate each with a certain amount of energy. If the intensity of the blue light is increased, electrons are ejected A) at an increased rate with no change in energy per electron. B) at the same rate, but with more energy per electron. C) at the same rate, but with less energy per electron. D) at a reduced rate with no change in energy per electron.

A) at an increased rate with no change in energy per electron.

A blackbody is an ideal system that A) either absorbs 100% of the light incident upon it, or emits 100% of the radiation it generates. B) absorbs 50% of the light incident upon it, and emits 50% of the radiation it generates. C) absorbs 100% of the light incident upon it, but cannot emit light of its own (i.e., a "black" body). D) emits 100% of the light it generates, but cannot absorb radiation of its own.

A) either absorbs 100% of the light incident upon it, or emits 100% of the radiation it generates.

What frequency of electromagnetic radiation has an energy of 58.1 µeV? A) 7.1 GHz B) 14 GHz C) 711 MHz D) 1.4 MHz

B) 14 GHz

What is the photon energy of red light having wavelength 640 nm? A) 1.31 E -19 J B) 3.11 E -19 J C) 1.94 E -19 J D) 1.13 E -19 JJ

B) 3.11 × 10-19 J

How much energy is carried by a photon with frequency 110 GHz? A) 1.3 E -25 J B) 7.3 E -23 J C) 1.1 E -20 J D) 1.4E -22 J

B) 7.3 E -23 J

What daughter isotopes are produced when a neutron combines with a nucleus of 235/29 U? Assume that three neutrons are also produced in the reaction. A) 140/56 Ba, 95/36 Kr B) 142/56 Ba, 93/36 Kr C) 141/56 Ba, 94/36 Kr D) 140/56 Ba, 93/36 Kr

A) 140/56 Ba, 95/36 Kr

The half life of carbon 14 is 5730 years. If a 1-gram sample of old carbon is 1/8 as radioactive as 1-gram of a current sample, then the age of the old sample is about A) 17,200 years. B) 22,900 years. C) 716 years. D) 11,500 years. E) 46,000 years.

A) 17,200 years.

How much energy is carried by a photon with a frequency of 100,000 GHz? A) 6.63 E -20 J B) 6.63 E -24 J C) 4.37 E -24 J D) 4.73 E -42 J

A) 6.63 E -20 J

A beam of X-rays of frequency f is incident upon a substance that scatters the beam in various directions. If we measure the frequency of the scattered X-rays, we will find A) X-rays with frequency less than f. B) only X-rays with frequency f. C) X-rays with frequency greater than f. D) X-rays with frequencies ranging from less than f to greater than f.

A) X-rays with frequency less than f.

Which color in the visible spectrum is associated with the lowest temperature? A) red B) green C) orange D) blue

A) red

What is the ionization energy of the neutral hydrogen atom? A) 27.2 eV B) 13.6 eV C) 6.8 eV D) none of the given answers

B) 13.6 eV

The energy of a photon depends on A) its velocity. B) its frequency. C) its amplitude. D) none of the given answers

B) its frequency.

The fundamental SI units of Planck's constant are A) kg·m/s2. B) kg·m2/s. C) kg·m2/s2. D) kg·m/s.

B) kg·m2/s.

Referring to figure 13.1, the photons of lowest energy are produced by A) the ground state. B) quantum jumps from state 4 to 3. C) quantum jumps from state to state 1. D) state 4. E) Impossible to determine without further information.

B) quantum jumps from state 4 to 3.

The kinetic energy of the photoelectron depends on which of the following? A) intensity of light B) wavelength of light C) duration of illumination D) angle of illumination

B) wavelength of light

The energy difference between adjacent orbit radii in a hydrogen atom A) increases with increasing values of n. B) remains constant for all values of n. C) decreases with increasing values of n. D) varies randomly with increasing values of n.

C) decreases with increasing values of n.

A certain type of atom has only four energy levels, as shown in figure 13.1. The total number of spectral lines produced by this element is A) 4. B) 3. C) 6. D) impossible to determine without further information. E) 10.

C) 6.

Which of the following is an accurate statement? A) Photons do not have momentum (i.e., they cannot exert pressure on things). B) Photons can have positive or negative charge. C) An ultraviolet photon has more energy than an infrared photon. D) In vacuum, ultraviolet photons travel faster than infrared photons.

C) An ultraviolet photon has more energy than an infrared photon.

In making a transition from state n = 1 to state n = 2, the hydrogen atom must A) emit a photon of energy 10.2 eV. B) emit a photon of energy 13.58 eV. C) absorb a photon of energy 10.2 eV. D) absorb a photon of energy 13.58 eV.

C) absorb a photon of energy 10.2 eV.

If the scattering angle in Compton's scattering is 90°. What is the wavelength shift? A) 3.65 E -12 m B) 4.85 E -12 m C) 1.22 E -12 m D) 2.43 E -12 m

D) 2.43 E -12 m

What frequency of electromagnetic radiation has energy 4.7 × 10-25 J? A) 4.7 MHz B) 1.4 GHz C) 710 kHz D) 710 MHz

D) 710 MHz

In a pair of accelerating plates, such as found inside a CRT, the electrons are emitted A) from the anode which is negative, toward the cathode which is positive. B) from the anode which is positive, toward the cathode which is negative. C) from the cathode which is positive, toward the anode which is positive. D) from the cathode which is negative, toward the anode which is positive.

D) from the cathode which is negative, toward the anode which is positive.

A photon is a particle that A) cannot travel in a vacuum. B) has a velocity in a vacuum that varies with the photon frequency. C) has zero electric field associated with it. D) has zero electric charge.

D) has zero electric charge.

When the accelerating voltage in an X-ray tube is doubled, the minimum wavelength of the X-rays A) is increased to twice the original value. B) is increased to four times the original value. C) is decreased to one-fourth the original value. D) is decreased to one-half the original value.

D) is decreased to one-half the original value.

Which color in the visible spectrum is associated with the lowest temperature? A) blue B) green C) orange D) red

D) red

Which color of light has the lowest energy photons? A) yellow B) blue C) green D) red

D) red

Planck's constant A) none of the given answers B) sets an upper limit to the amount of energy that can be absorbed or emitted. C) relates mass to energy. D) sets a lower limit to the amount of energy that can be absorbed or emitted.

D) sets a lower limit to the amount of energy that can be absorbed or emitted.

A beam of red light and a beam of violet light each deliver the same power on a surface. For which beam is the number of photons hitting the surface per second the greatest? A) The number of photons per second is the same for both beams. B) This cannot be answered without knowing just what the light intensity is. C) the violet beam D) the red beam

D) the red beam

When an electron jumps from an orbit where n = 4 to one where n = 2 A) a photon is absorbed. B) none of the given answers C) two photons are emitted. D) two photons are absorbed. E) a photon is emitted.

E) a photon is emitted.

Suppose that a certain atom has just the 4 different energy levels shown in figure 13.1. Which quantum jump produces radiation with the shortest wavelength? A) from state 4 to state 3 B) Impossible to tell without further information C) nonsense--quantum jumps don't produce radiation D) from state 2 to state 1 E) from state 4 to state 1

E) from state 4 to state 1

A certain type of atom has only four energy levels, as shown in figure 13.1. The "spectral lines" produced by this element are all visible, except for one ultra-violet line. The quantum jump that produces the UV line is A) state 4 to 3. B) Impossible to determine without further information. C) state 1 to 4 D) state 2 to 1. E) state 4 to 1.

E) state 4 to 1.

A gamma ray is also known as A) a positron. B) a photon. C) an electron. D) a helium nucleus.

B) a photon.

If the wavelength of a photon is halved, by what factor does its energy change? A) 4 B) 1/4 C) 2 D) 1/2

C) 2

Which of the atomic particles has the least mass? A) nucleon B) proton C) neutron D) electron

D) electron

An atom with an imbalance of electrons to protons is A) an isotope. B) a hadron. C) a baryon. D) none of these E) an ion.

E) an ion.

Which radiation has no electric charge associated with it? A) all of these B) none of these C) alpha rays D) beta rays E) gamma rays

E) gamma rays

An element emits 1 alpha particle, 1 positron, and 3 beta particles. Its atomic number A) increases by 2. B) increases by 1. C) decreases by 1. D) decreases by 2. E) stays the same.

E) stays the same.

Planck's constant has a value of A) 6.626 E -34 J·s. B) 8.988 E -9 J·s. C) 1.055 E -34 J·s. D) 8.85 E -12 J·s.

A) 6.626 E -34 J·s.

The ratio of energy to frequency for a given photon gives A) Planck's constant. B) its amplitude. C) its work function. D) its velocity.

A) Planck's constant.

During b+ decay A) a proton is transformed to a neutron. B) a neutron is transformed to a proton. C) a proton is ejected from the nucleus. D) a neutron is ejected from the nucleus.

A) a proton is transformed to a neutron.

A nucleon is either A) a proton or a neutron. B) a neutron or an electron. C) a positron or an electron. D) a proton or an electron.

A) a proton or a neutron.

In beta decay A) an electron is emitted. B) an electron decays into another particle. C) a neutron is emitted. D) a proton is emitted.

A) an electron is emitted.

A β- particle is also known as A) an electron. B) a photon. C) a helium nucleus. D) a positron.

A) an electron.

When an atom undergoes nuclear transmutation, the result is a completely different A) atom of a different element B) atom of the same element C) isotope of the same element. D) ion of the same element.

A) atom of a different element

Once an alpha particle is outside the nucleus it is A) electrostatically repelled. B) free to wander about the nucleus. C) quickly bound to a neighboring nucleus. D) radioactive.

A) electrostatically repelled.

In order for a photon to eject an electron from a metal's surface in the photoelectric effect, the photon's A) frequency must be greater than a certain minimum value. B) wavelength must be greater than a certain minimum value. C) momentum must be zero. D) speed must be greater than a certain minimum value.

A) frequency must be greater than a certain minimum value.

The binding energy per nucleon A) has a maximum near iron in the periodic table. B) is approximately constant throughout the periodic table, except for very light nuclei. C) increases steadily as we go to heavier elements. D) decreases steadily as we go to heavier elements.

A) has a maximum near iron in the periodic table.

Atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons are referred to as A) isotopes. B) nuclides. C) nucleons. D) none of the given answers

A) isotopes.

In radioactive dating, carbon-14 is often used. This nucleus emits a single beta particle when it decays. When this happens, the resulting nucleus is A) nitrogen-14. B) still carbon-14. C) boron-14. D) carbon-15. E) carbon-13.

A) nitrogen-14.

The half-life on an isotope is one day. At the end of three days, how much of the isotope remains? A) one-eighth B) none of these C) none D) one-quarter E) one-half

A) one-eighth

The atomic number of an element is the same as the number of its A) protons. B) neutrons. C) none of these D) nucleons.

A) protons.

What is the binding energy of a nucleus? A) the energy released when nucleons bind together to form a stable nucleus B) the mass of the nucleus times c C) the energy needed to remove one of the nucleons D) the average energy with which any nucleon is bound in the nucleus

A) the energy released when nucleons bind together to form a stable nucleus

Most of the radioactivity we personally encounter comes from A) the natural environment. B) nuclear power plants. C) fallout from past and present testing of nuclear weapons. D) medical X rays.

A) the natural environment.

What does the mass number of a nucleus indicate? A) the number of neutrons and protons present B) the number of protons present C) the number of neutrons present D) the average atomic mass of the element

A) the number of neutrons and protons present

To which of the following is the atomic number of a given element equivalent? A) the number of protons in the nucleus B) the number of electrons in the outer shells C) the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus D) the number of neutrons in the nucleus

A) the number of protons in the nucleus

Which of the following is most nearly the same as a gamma ray? A) visible light B) a neutron C) a proton D) an alpha particle E) a beta ray

A) visible light

When a photon is scattered from an electron, there will be an increase in its A) wavelength. B) frequency. C) energy. D) momentum.

A) wavelength.

When radium (A = 88) emits an alpha particle, the resulting nucleus has atomic number A) 88. B) 86. C) 92. D) 90. E) none of these

B) 86.

What happens to the half-life of a radioactive substance as it decays? A) It could do any of these. B) It remains constant. C) It decreases. D) It increases.

B) It remains constant.

Which of the following statements concerning the nuclear force is false? A) The nuclear force is very short-ranged. B) The nuclear force is very weak and much smaller in relative magnitude than the electrostatic and gravitational forces. C) The nuclear force is attractive and not repulsive. D) The nuclear force acts on both protons and neutrons.

B) The nuclear force is very weak and much smaller in relative magnitude than the electrostatic and gravitational forces.

A beam of X-rays of wavelength ë is incident upon a substance that scatters the beam in various directions. If we measure the wavelength of the scattered X-rays, we will find A) X-rays with wavelength less than ë. B) X-rays with wavelength greater than ë. C) only X-rays with wavelength ë. D) X-rays which range in wavelength from less than ë to greater than ë.

B) X-rays with wavelength greater than ë.

An element will decay to an element with higher atomic number in the periodic table if it emits A) none of these B) a beta particle. C) an alpha particle. D) a proton. E) a gamma ray.

B) a beta particle.

Alpha rays can penetrate, at most A) several centimeters of lead. B) a piece of paper. C) several millimeters of aluminum. D) air only.

B) a piece of paper.

A b+ particle is also known as A) a helium nucleus. B) a positron. C) an electron. D) a photon.

B) a positron.

What is a photon? A) an electron in an excited state B) a small packet of electromagnetic energy that has particle-like properties C) an electron that has been made electrically neutral D) one form of a nucleon, one of the particles that makes up the nucleus

B) a small packet of electromagnetic energy that has particle-like properties

Energy released by the sun results from the process wherein atomic nuclei A) break apart. B) combine. C) both of these D) none of these

B) combine.

When a b+ particle is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic number of the nucleus A) none of the given answers B) decreases by 1. C) increases by 1. D) does not change.

B) decreases by 1.

When an alpha particle is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number of the nucleus A) increases by 4. B) decreases by 4. C) increases by 2. D) decreases by 2.

B) decreases by 4.

In the Compton effect, as the scattering angle increases, the frequency of the X-rays scattered at that angle A) does not change. B) decreases. C) increases. D) varies randomly.

B) decreases.

When a b- particle is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number of the nucleus A) decreases by 1. B) does not change. C) increases by 1. D) none of the given answers

B) does not change.

When the hydrogen isotope tritium-3 emits a beta particle, it becomes an isotope of A) carbon. B) helium. C) hydrogen. D) lithium. E) none of these

B) helium.

When a b- particle is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic number of the nucleus A) does not change. B) increases by 1. C) none of the given answers D) decreases by 1.

B) increases by 1.

Generally speaking, the larger a nucleus is, the greater its A) none of these B) instability. C) stability. D) permeability

B) instability.

An alpha particle will be attracted to a A) positive charge. B) negative charge. C) proton. D) gamma ray.

B) negative charge.

The binding energy per nucleon is A) directly proportional to atomic number. B) none of the given answers C) the same for all atoms. D) inversely proportional to atomic number.

B) none of the given answers

A gram of radioactive material has a half-life of one year. After 4 years, how much radioactive material will be left? A) 0 g B) none of these C) 1/4 g D) 1/2 g E) 1/8 g

B) none of these

When a gamma ray is emitted from an unstable nucleus, A) the number of neutrons drops by one and the number of protons increases by one. B) there is no change in either the number of neutrons or the number of protons. C) the number of neutrons and the number of protons drop by two. D) none of the given answers

B) there is no change in either the number of neutrons or the number of protons.

An α particle is also known as A) a positron. B) a photon. C) a helium nucleus. D) an electron.

C) a helium nucleus.

During b- decay A) a neutron is ejected from the nucleus. B) a proton is transformed to a neutron. C) a neutron is transformed to a proton. D) a proton is ejected from the nucleus.

C) a neutron is transformed to a proton.

Which particle has the most mass? A) beta B) gamma C) alpha D) electron

C) alpha

As the number of protons in the nucleus increases, the repulsive force A) drops to zero. B) remains unchanged. C) becomes stronger. D) becomes weaker.

C) becomes stronger.

When an alpha particle is ejected from a nucleus, the nucleus then has less A) mass. B) neither of these C) both of these D) charge.

C) both of these

When a nucleus emits a beta particle, its atomic number A) none of these B) remains constant, but its mass number changes. C) changes, but its mass number remains constant. D) changes, and so does its mass number. E) remains constant, and so does its mass number.

C) changes, but its mass number remains constant.

The mass of an atom is A) evenly divided between the nucleus and the surrounding electron cloud. B) approximately equally divided between neutrons, protons, and electrons. C) concentrated in the nucleus. D) concentrated in the cloud of electrons surrounding the nucleus.

C) concentrated in the nucleus.

When an alpha particle is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic number of the nucleus A) increases by 2. B) increases by 4. C) decreases by 2. D) decreases by 4.

C) decreases by 2.

When a gamma ray is emitted by a nucleus, the nucleus then has less A) charge. B) neither of these C) energy. D) both of these

C) energy.

Referring to figure 13.1, which quantum jump produces the highest frequency? A) Impossible to tell without further information B) from state 2 to state 1 C) from state 4 to state 1 D) from state 4 to state 3 E) nonsense--quantum jumps don't produce radiation

C) from state 4 to state 1

When a nucleus emits a beta particle, its atomic number A) increases by 2. B) decreases by 2. C) increases by 1. D) decreases by 1. E) none of these

C) increases by 1.

Compared to the electrostatic force, the nuclear force between adjacent protons in a nucleus is A) about the same size. B) much weaker. C) much larger. D) only slightly larger.

C) much larger.

When a gamma ray is emitted by a nucleus, the nucleus then has appreciably less A) charge. B) mass. C) neither of these D) both of these

C) neither of these

Different isotopes of an element have different numbers of A) photons. B) protons. C) neutrons. D) hadrons. E) none of these

C) neutrons.

When thorium (A = 90) emits a beta particle, the resulting nucleus has atomic number A) 88. B) 92. C) none of these D) 89. E) 90.

C) none of these

In all three types of radioactive decay, what value is conserved in addition to electric charge, energy, and momentum? A) neutron number B) atomic number C) nucleon number D) none of the given answers

C) nucleon number

The atomic mass number of an element is the same as the number of its A) neutrons. B) none of these C) nucleons. D) protons.

C) nucleons.

Rutherford's experiments involving the use of alpha particle beams directed onto thin metal foils demonstrated the existence of which of the following? A) proton B) positron C) nucleus D) neutron

C) nucleus

The atomic mass unit is defined as A) the mass of an electron. B) the mass of a hydrogen-1 atom. C) one twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 atom. D) the mass of a proton.

C) one twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

The half-life of an isotope is one day. At the end of two days the amount that remains is A) one-eighth. B) none of these C) one-quarter. D) one-half. E) none.

C) one-quarter.

Carbon dating requires that the object being tested contain A) sugar molecules. B) inorganic material. C) organic material. D) none of these E) charcoal.

C) organic material.

Electric forces within an atomic nucleus tend to A) spin the electrons B) hold it together. C) push it apart. D) none of these

C) push it apart.

When nucleons join to form a stable nucleus, energy is A) absorbed. B) destroyed. C) released. D) not transferred.

C) released.

Gamma rays can penetrate, at most A) air only. B) a piece of paper. C) several centimeters of lead. D) several millimeters of aluminum.

C) several centimeters of lead.

Beta rays can penetrate, at most A) several centimeters of lead. B) air only. C) several millimeters of aluminum. D) a piece of paper.

C) several millimeters of aluminum.

The photoelectric effect is explainable assuming A) none of the above B) that light has a wave nature and a particle nature. C) that light has a particle nature. D) that light has a wave nature.

C) that light has a particle nature.

The mass of an atomic nucleon is nearly A) twice the mass of an electron. B) four times the mass of an electron. C) two thousand times the mass of an electron. D) a thousand times the mass of an electron.

C) two thousand times the mass of an electron.

In a Compton scattering experiment, what scattering angle produces the greatest change in wavelength? A) zero degrees B) 90° C) none of the given answers D) 180°

D) 180°

A certain radioactive isotope placed near a Geiger counter registers 160 counts per second. Eight hours later, the counter registers 10 counts per second. What is the half life of the isotope? A) 8 hours B) 4 hours C) 6 hours D) 2 hours E) none of these

D) 2 hours

How much energy, in joules, is carried by a photon of wavelength 660 nm? A) 6.63 × 10-34 J B) none of the given answers C) 1.46 × 10-48 J D) 3.01 × 10-19 J

D) 3.01 × 10-19 J

Alpha particles have an atomic mass equal to A) 1. B) 6. C) 2. D) 4.

D) 4.

In the radioactive formula, 220/86 Rn => 216/84 Po + X, what does X represent? A) 0/1 e B) 0/.1 e C) Lambda D) 4/2 He

D) 4/2 He

If an atom's atomic number is given by Z, its atomic mass by A, and its neutron number by N, which of the following is correct? A) none of the given answers B) N = Z - A C) N = A + Z D) N = A - Z

D) N = A - Z

Which of the following statements concerning the nuclear force is false? A) The nuclear force acts on both protons and neutrons. B) The nuclear force is attractive and not repulsive. C) The nuclear force is very short-ranged. D) The nuclear force is very weak and much smaller in relative magnitude than the electrostatic and gravitational forces.

D) The nuclear force is very weak and much smaller in relative magnitude than the electrostatic and gravitational forces.

Control is exercised in a nuclear reactor by A) emitting fast neutrons with a moderator. B) both of these C) none of these D) absorbing excess neutrons with control rods.

D) absorbing excess neutrons with control rods.

The half-life of a radioactive substance is INDEPENDENT of A) the number (if large enough) of atoms in the substance. B) the temperature of the substance. C) the age of the substance. D) all of these E) whether the substance exists in an elementary state or in a compound.

D) all of these

The existence of the neutrino was postulated in order to explain A) gamma emission. B) alpha decay. C) fission. D) beta decay.

D) beta decay.

When a beta particle is ejected from a nucleus, the nucleus then has a greater A) neither of these B) mass. C) both of these D) charge.

D) charge.

When a neutron is emitted from an unstable nucleus, the atomic mass number of the nucleus A) none of the given answers B) increases by 1. C) does not change. D) decreases by 1.

D) decreases by 1.

The number of protons in an atom is A) the same for all elements. B) zero. C) equal to the number of neutrons. D) equal to the number of electrons.

D) equal to the number of electrons.

Of the main types of radiation emitted from naturally radioactive isotopes, which is the most penetrating? A) beta B) positron C) alpha D) gamma

D) gamma

Compared to the masses of its separate protons and neutrons, the total mass of a stable nucleus is always A) the same. B) greater. C) zero. D) less.

D) less.

The binding energy of a nucleus is contributed to A) alpha decay. B) too many neutrons. C) radioactivity. D) mass defect.

D) mass defect.

Which process generates energy in the Sun? A) transmutation B) nuclear fission C) chain reaction D) nuclear fusion

D) nuclear fusion

An atom's mass number is determined by the number of A) protons in its nucleus. B) alpha particles in its nucleus. C) neutrons in its nucleus. D) nucleons in its nucleus.

D) nucleons in its nucleus.

The nucleus of an atom is made up of which of the following combinations of particles? A) electrons and neutrons B) protons, electrons, and neutrons C) electrons and protons D) protons and neutrons

D) protons and neutrons

An atom's atomic number is determined by the number of A) neutrons in its nucleus. B) alpha particles in its nucleus. C) nucleons in its nucleus. D) protons in its nucleus.

D) protons in its nucleus.

When a beta particle is ejected from a nucleus, the nucleus then has slightly A) greater mass and smaller charge. B) greater mass and charge. C) smaller charge and significantly greater mass. D) smaller mass and significantly greater charge.

D) smaller mass and significantly greater charge.

There is a limit to the size of a stable nucleus because of A) the weakness of the electrostatic force. B) none of the given answers C) the weakness of the gravitational force. D) the limited range of the strong nuclear force.

D) the limited range of the strong nuclear force.

Isotopes of an element have nuclei with A) a different number of protons, and a different number of neutrons. B) a different number of protons, and the same number of neutrons. C) the same number of protons, and the same number of neutrons. D) the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.

D) the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons.