Which of these is true for a nuclear fusion reaction?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The number of particles in the product is greater than the number of particles of the reactants.
The number of particles in the product is greater than the number of particles of the reactants.

The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants.
The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants.

The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy.
The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy.

The product of a nuclear fusion reaction is always an element not found in nature.

Answer 1

In nuclear fusion reactions, the correct statement from the options provided is:

The atomic number of the product is the sum of the atomic number of the reactants.

In a fusion reaction, lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, and the products typically have an atomic number that is the sum of the atomic numbers of the original reactants.

Here’s a brief explanation of the other statements:

• The number of particles in the product is greater than the number of particles of the reactants.: This is generally false; in fusion, two lighter nuclei combine into one heavier nucleus, so the number of particles typically decreases.

• The product has more mass than the reactants because some mass is converted into energy.: This is false; in fusion, the total mass of the product is actually less than the total mass of the reactants due to the conversion of some mass into energy, as described by Einstein's equation \(E=mc^2\).

• The product of a nuclear fusion reaction is always an element not found in nature.: This is also misleading; while fusion can create heavier elements than those commonly found in nature (like helium from hydrogen), it can also produce elements that exist naturally depending on the specific fusion process.

Thus, the correct and only consistent statement is about the atomic number.

Answer 2

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 as a fission reaction?(1 point)
Responses

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 electrons in the equation.

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

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

Answer 3

To identify a nuclear fission reaction in the equations that represent such reactions, the correct response is:

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

In a fission reaction, a heavy nucleus (such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239) splits into two or more lighter nuclei, along with the release of energy and additional neutrons. This is often represented in an equation where the heavy nucleus is on the left side, and the products of the fission (which can include smaller nuclei and neutrons) are on the right side.

The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:

• A nucleus with a large mass will be on the left side, and there will be electrons in the equation.: While fission does involve neutrons, it doesn't typically involve electrons in the same way as beta decay.

• A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side, and there will be electrons in the equation.: This is incorrect; in fission, the large nucleus is on the left side.

• A nucleus with a large mass will be on the right side, and there will be neutrons in the equation.: This is also incorrect, as described above.

Thus, the first statement correctly describes the characteristics of a fission reaction.

Answer 4

How is fission different from a simple chemical reaction?(1 point)
Responses

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.

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

Protons cause fission reactions, while chemical reactions involve electrons.

Answer 5

The correct response highlighting the difference between fission and a simple chemical reaction is:

Fission can happen with radioactive forms of atoms.

Fission specifically refers to the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei, which typically occurs in radioactive materials (such as uranium or plutonium) that can sustain a fission chain reaction. In contrast, simple chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of electrons in atoms and do not involve changes to the atomic nuclei.

The other options have some inaccuracies:

• Atoms are split into smaller pieces during fission.: While this is true in the context of fission, it is somewhat misleading as a distinguishing factor, since chemical reactions can also involve the breaking of bonds between atoms (though not splitting atomic nuclei).

• Fission reactions run out of control, while chemical reactions are controlled.: This is not universally true; chemical reactions can also become uncontrolled (such as in explosions or runaway reactions) depending on conditions.

• Protons cause fission reactions, while chemical reactions involve electrons.: This statement is misleading because fission is driven by neutron interactions with heavy nuclei, not protons. Chemical reactions primarily involve electrons, but this does not compare the processes accurately.

Thus, the best distinguishing feature is that fission occurs with radioactive forms of atoms.

Answer 6

Which statement best describes the process of alpha decay?(1 point)
Responses

An unstable nucleus releases an electron.
An unstable nucleus releases an electron.

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

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.

Answer 7

The statement that best describes the process of alpha decay is:

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

In alpha decay, the unstable nucleus emits an alpha particle, which is composed of two protons and two neutrons. This results in the transformation of the original nucleus into a new nucleus with a reduced atomic number (by 2) and a reduced mass number (by 4).

Here's an explanation of why the other options are not correct:

• An unstable nucleus releases an electron.: This describes beta decay, not alpha decay. In beta decay, an unstable nucleus emits an electron (beta particle).

• An unstable nucleus releases a single positively charged particle.: This is somewhat misleading, as although the alpha particle is positively charged, it consists of two protons and two neutrons together, rather than being a single particle.

• An unstable nucleus rearranges its particles and releases energy.: While radioactive decay processes generally do release energy, this description is not specific enough to alpha decay.

Therefore, the most accurate description of alpha decay is that it releases a particle containing two protons and two neutrons.

Answer 8

In which type of radioactive decay does the nucleus become more stable without changing its identity?(1 point)
Responses

beta-minus decay
beta-minus decay

beta-plus decay
beta-plus decay

alpha decay
alpha decay

gamma decay

Answer 9

The type of radioactive decay in which the nucleus becomes more stable without changing its identity is:

gamma decay.

In gamma decay, an excited nucleus releases energy in the form of gamma radiation (gamma rays) to reach a more stable lower energy state. This process does not involve a change in the number of protons or neutrons in the nucleus, meaning the identity of the atom remains the same.

Here’s a brief explanation of the other decay types:

• Beta-minus decay: In this process, a neutron in the nucleus is converted into a proton, emitting an electron (beta particle) and an antineutrino. This results in a change of the atomic number and, therefore, a change in the identity of the atom.

• Beta-plus decay: Also known as positron emission, this involves the conversion of a proton into a neutron, emitting a positron and a neutrino. Like beta-minus decay, this results in a change of the atomic number and identity of the atom.

• Alpha decay: During alpha decay, an unstable nucleus releases an alpha particle (which consists of two protons and two neutrons). This process changes the atomic number and identity of the atom.

Therefore, the correct answer is gamma decay, as it leads to increased stability without altering the identity of the nucleus.

Answer 10

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 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 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 a type of nuclear fission.

Answer 11

The statement that best describes alpha decay is:

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.

In alpha decay, an alpha particle (which consists of two protons and two neutrons) is ejected from the nucleus. As a result, the mass number of the remaining nucleus decreases by 4 (because of the two protons and two neutrons in the alpha particle), and the atomic number decreases by 2 (due to the loss of two protons).

It is important to note that alpha decay is not classified as nuclear fission; fission involves the splitting of a heavy nucleus into smaller nuclei, whereas alpha decay involves the ejection of an alpha particle from a single nucleus. Therefore, the correct and comprehensive description is the one provided above.