Atomic Structure questions

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Atomic Structure question collection

Review Atomic Structure questions for Physics, with correct answers shown and coverage across structure of atoms and nuclei; isotopes and radiation types; half-life.

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Question 1

Which particles make up the nucleus of an atom?
  1. Protons and neutrons
  2. Electrons and protons
  3. Neutrons and electrons
  4. Positrons and photons

Question 2

What does the atomic number Z represent?
  1. The number of protons in the nucleus
  2. The total number of neutrons and electrons
  3. The number of isotopes
  4. The number of energy levels

Question 3

For \(^{35}_{17}\text{Cl}\), how many neutrons are in the nucleus?
  1. \(18\)
  2. \(17\)
  3. \(35\)
  4. \(52\)

Question 4

Which type of radiation is a helium nucleus and carries \(+2\) charge?
  1. Alpha
  2. Beta
  3. Gamma
  4. X-ray

Question 5

Beta-minus radiation consists of which particles?
  1. High-speed electrons
  2. Protons
  3. Neutrons
  4. Alpha particles

Question 6

Which radiation is a high-energy photon and has no charge?
  1. Gamma
  2. Alpha
  3. Beta
  4. Neutron

Question 7

Place the types of radiation in order of increasing penetration through materials.
  1. Alpha, beta, gamma
  2. Gamma, beta, alpha
  3. Beta, alpha, gamma
  4. Alpha, gamma, beta

Question 8

Which radiation is stopped by a sheet of paper?
  1. Alpha
  2. Gamma
  3. Beta
  4. Neutron

Question 9

Write the nuclear equation for the beta-minus decay of \(^{14}_6\text{C}\).
  1. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{14}_7\mathrm{N} + ^{0}_{-1}\beta\)
  2. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{13}_6\mathrm{C} + ^{1}_0\text{n}\)
  3. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{14}_5\mathrm{B} + ^{1}_0\text{n}\)
  4. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{13}_5\mathrm{B} + ^{0}_{-1}\beta\)

Question 10

What is the time for half a sample to decay called?
  1. Half-life
  2. Full life
  3. Decay constant
  4. Activity

Question 11

A sample has activity \(200\,\mathrm{Bq}\) and a half-life of \(2\,\mathrm{min}\). What is its activity after \(2\,\mathrm{min}\)?
  1. \(100\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  2. \(0\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  3. \(200\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  4. \(400\,\mathrm{Bq}\)

Question 12

Why can a radioisotope act as a tracer?
  1. Its emitted radiation can be detected as it moves
  2. It changes the chemical properties of the fluid
  3. It colours the fluid along its path
  4. It blocks radiation outside the body

Question 13

Which radiation is most dangerous when inhaled?
  1. Alpha because it ionises strongly over a short range
  2. Gamma because it is absorbed in a short range
  3. Beta because it produces no ionisation
  4. Alpha because it passes straight out of the body

Question 14

Which is a natural source of background radiation?
  1. Cosmic rays and radioactive rocks
  2. Medical X-ray machines
  3. Current in domestic wiring
  4. Visible light from the Sun

Question 15

Which process splits a heavy nucleus into two smaller ones releasing energy?
  1. Fission
  2. Fusion
  3. Alpha decay
  4. Ionisation

Question 16

Why does nuclear fusion release energy in stars?
  1. Light nuclei join and some mass becomes energy
  2. Heavy nuclei split and gain extra mass
  3. Electrons join to form an alpha particle
  4. Neutrons turn directly into sound energy

Question 17

What happens when alpha particles strike thin gold foil?
  1. Most pass through; a few deflect strongly
  2. Most rebound; a few pass through
  3. Similar numbers scatter at every angle
  4. Most stop inside the foil

Question 18

Which detection method records radiation counts per second?
  1. Geiger-Muller tube
  2. Voltmeter
  3. Spectrometer
  4. Barometer

Question 19

What does an atom's mass number represent?
  1. Total protons and neutrons
  2. Total protons and electrons
  3. Neutrons minus protons
  4. Number of occupied electron shells

Question 20

What happens to an isotope's half-life if the sample size doubles?
  1. It stays the same
  2. It doubles
  3. It halves
  4. It becomes unpredictable

Question 21

A source has count rate \(800\,\mathrm{Bq}\) and half-life \(2\,\mathrm{h}\). What is its count rate after \(4\,\mathrm{h}\)?
  1. \(200\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  2. \(400\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  3. \(600\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  4. \(100\,\mathrm{Bq}\)

Question 22

Which material is suitable for absorbing beta radiation?
  1. A thin sheet of aluminium
  2. A sheet of paper
  3. A thick block of lead
  4. A transparent glass lens

Question 23

A tracer used inside the body needs which kind of half-life?
  1. A short one
  2. A long one
  3. A zero one
  4. An infinite one

Question 24

What must an electron do to move to a higher energy level?
  1. Absorb radiation
  2. Emit radiation
  3. Gain a neutron
  4. Leave the atom

Question 25

What is emitted when an electron falls to a lower energy level?
  1. Electromagnetic radiation
  2. An alpha particle
  3. A beta particle
  4. A free neutron

Question 26

How is high-level radioactive waste usually managed?
  1. Sealed and stored underground
  2. Released into rivers
  3. Burned in an incinerator
  4. Buried in household landfill

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Review Atomic Structure questions for Physics, with correct answers shown and coverage across structure of atoms and nuclei; isotopes and radiation types; half-life.

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