In a nuclear reaction, which is the same before and after the change?(1 point)

Question

Responses

the number of alpha particles
the number of alpha particles

the mass
the mass

the types of atoms
the types of atoms

the total number of protons
the total number of protons
Question 2
Why does the emission of an alpha particle always result in transmutation?(1 point)
Responses

The number of protons in the atom changes.
The number of protons in the atom changes.

The protons in the large atom change to neutrons.
The protons in the large atom change to neutrons.

The atom is converted to helium.
The atom is converted to helium.

Energy is released from the nucleus of the atom.
Energy is released from the nucleus of the atom.
Question 3
Which phrase describes radioactive decay?(1 point)
Responses

the splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei
the splitting of a large nucleus into smaller nuclei

the triggering of one reaction by the products of another
the triggering of one reaction by the products of another

the joining of small nuclei into a larger nucleus
the joining of small nuclei into a larger nucleus

the spontaneous emission of radiation
the spontaneous emission of radiation
Question 4
Which option would be an appropriate model of nuclear fusion?(1 point)
Responses

mashing two marshmallows together
mashing two marshmallows together

putting a puzzle together
putting a puzzle together

adding a drop of water to a glass of water
adding a drop of water to a glass of water

Sewing one piece of fabric to another
Sewing one piece of fabric to another
Question 5
Which aspect must be taken into consideration when creating a model of radioactive decay?(1 point)
Responses

There must not be any changes to the element in question.
There must not be any changes to the element in question.

There must be a way for unstable nuclei to become stable nuclei.
There must be a way for unstable nuclei to become stable nuclei.

There must not be any particles or energy emitted from the nucleus.
There must not be any particles or energy emitted from the nucleus.

There must be a predictable and reversible change that occurs.
There must be a predictable and reversible change that occurs.
Question 6
How is fusion different from a simple chemical reaction?(1 point)
Responses

Atoms come together in a chemical reaction, but they are split in a fusion reaction.
Atoms come together in a chemical reaction, but they are split in a fusion reaction.

The atoms are bound to each other by electrons in a fusion reaction.
The atoms are bound to each other by electrons in a fusion reaction.

Energy is released in a fusion reaction, but it is absorbed in a chemical reaction.
Energy is released in a fusion reaction, but it is absorbed in a chemical reaction.

The nuclei combine in a fusion reaction.
The nuclei combine in a fusion reaction.
Question 7
Use the image to answer the question:

Which statement best describes the charged particles in the fusion reaction?

(1 point)
Responses

There are no charged particles because the positive and negative charges will cancel out.
There are no charged particles because the positive and negative charges will cancel out.

There are no charged particles because these are all nuclei, which are neutral.
There are no charged particles because these are all nuclei, which are neutral.

The nucleus with the greatest positive charge is on the right side of the reaction.
The nucleus with the greatest positive charge is on the right side of the reaction.

The nucleus with the greatest positive charge is on the left side of the reaction.
The nucleus with the greatest positive charge is on the left side of the reaction.
Question 8
In nuclear reactions, information about the nuclei that take place in the reaction and the nuclei that are produced can be written out in an equation form. When looking at equations like this, how can you identify a reaction that is a fission reaction?(1 point)
Responses

A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side and there will be neutrons in the equation.
A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side and there will be neutrons in the equation.

A nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be neutrons in the equation.
A nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be neutrons in the equation.

A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side, and there will be electron in the equation.
A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side, and there will be electron in the equation.

The nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be electrons in the equation.
The nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be electrons in the equation.
Question 9
How is fission different from a simple chemical reaction?(1 point)
Responses

Protons cause fission reactions, while chemical reactions involve electrons.
Protons cause fission reactions, while chemical reactions involve electrons.

Fission reactions run out of control, while chemical reactions are controlled.
Fission reactions run out of control, while chemical reactions are controlled.

Atoms are split into smaller pieces during fission.
Atoms are split into smaller pieces during fission.

Fission can happen with radioactive forms of atoms.
Fission can happen with radioactive forms of atoms.
Question 10
Use the diagram to answer the question:

Which statement best describes the charges of the particles involved?

(1 point)
Responses

A neutral particle is striking a positive particle, breaking it into more neutral and positive particles.
A neutral particle is striking a positive particle, breaking it into more neutral and positive particles.

A positive particle is striking a neutral particle, breaking it into more positive and neutral particles.
A positive particle is striking a neutral particle, breaking it into more positive and neutral particles.

A negative particle is striking a positive particle, breaking it into more negative and positive particles.
A negative particle is striking a positive particle, breaking it into more negative and positive particles.

A neutral particle is striking a negative particle, breaking it into more neutral and negative particles.
A neutral particle is striking a negative particle, breaking it into more neutral and negative particles.
Question 11
Which statement best describes the process of alpha decay?(1 point)
Responses

An unstable nucleus rearranges its particles and releases energy.
An unstable nucleus rearranges its particles and releases energy.

An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.
An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.

An unstable nucleus releases a single positively charged particle.
An unstable nucleus releases a single positively charged particle.

An unstable nucleus releases an electron.
An unstable nucleus releases an electron.
Question 12
In which type of radioactive decay does the nucleus become more stable without changing its identity?(1 point)
Responses

alpha decay
alpha decay

beta-plus decay
beta-plus decay

beta-minus decay
beta-minus decay

gamma decay
gamma decay
Question 13
An alpha particle is equivalent to the nucleus of an atom of which element?(1 point)
Responses

nitrogen
nitrogen

helium
helium

hydrogen
hydrogen

carbon
carbon
Question 14
Which statement best describes alpha decay?(1 point)
Responses

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is two less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is a type of nuclear fission.

After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.
After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.
Question 15
Which option correctly compares beta decay and gamma decay?(1 point)
Responses

Beta decay releases a particle, while gamma decay only reduces the energy level. Beta decay is a from of nuclear fission, but gamma decay is not.
Beta decay releases a particle, while gamma decay only reduces the energy level. Beta decay is a from of nuclear fission, but gamma decay is not.

Beta decay only reduce the energy level, while gamma decay only releases a particle. Neither beta decay nor gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission.
Beta decay only reduce the energy level, while gamma decay only releases a particle. Neither beta decay nor gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission.

Beta decay releases a particle, while gamma decay only reduces the energy level. Neither beta decay nor gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission.
Beta decay releases a particle, while gamma decay only reduces the energy level. Neither beta decay nor gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission.

Beta decay only reduce the energy level, while gamma decay only releases a particle. Gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission, but beta decay is not.
Beta decay only reduce the energy level, while gamma decay only releases a particle. Gamma decay is a from of nuclear fission, but beta decay is not.
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Answer 1

Here are the suggested answers to the multiple-choice questions regarding nuclear reactions:

Question 1: In a nuclear reaction, which is the same before and after the change?

• Answer: the total number of protons

Question 2: Why does the emission of an alpha particle always result in transmutation?

• Answer: The number of protons in the atom changes.

Question 3: Which phrase describes radioactive decay?

• Answer: the spontaneous emission of radiation

Question 4: Which option would be an appropriate model of nuclear fusion?

• Answer: mashing two marshmallows together

Question 5: Which aspect must be taken into consideration when creating a model of radioactive decay?

• Answer: There must be a way for unstable nuclei to become stable nuclei.

Question 6: How is fusion different from a simple chemical reaction?

• Answer: The nuclei combine in a fusion reaction.

Question 7: Which statement best describes the charged particles in the fusion reaction?

• Answer: The nucleus with the greatest positive charge is on the right side of the reaction. (Assuming the right side contains the new nucleus formed)

Question 8: In nuclear reactions, information about the nuclei that take place in the reaction and the nuclei that are produced can be written out in an equation form. How can you identify a reaction that is a fission reaction?

• Answer: A nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be neutrons in the equation.

Question 9: How is fission different from a simple chemical reaction?

• Answer: Atoms are split into smaller pieces during fission.

Question 10: Which statement best describes the charges of the particles involved?

• Answer: A neutral particle is striking a positive particle, breaking it into more neutral and positive particles.

Question 11: Which statement best describes the process of alpha decay?

• Answer: An unstable nucleus releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.

Question 12: In which type of radioactive decay does the nucleus become more stable without changing its identity?

• Answer: gamma decay

Question 13: An alpha particle is equivalent to the nucleus of an atom of which element?

• Answer: helium

Question 14: Which statement best describes alpha decay?

• Answer: After the ejection of an alpha particle, the remaining nucleus has a mass number that is four less and an atomic number that is two less, so alpha decay is not a type of nuclear fission.

Question 15: Which option correctly compares beta decay and gamma decay?

• Answer: Beta decay releases a particle, while gamma decay only reduces the energy level. Neither beta decay nor gamma decay is a form of nuclear fission.

Make sure to check your course material to confirm these answers fit your study objectives and context!