Practice MCQs For Radioactivity and the nuclear atom

This quiz contains practice questions for GCE ‘O’ level topic: Radioactivity and the nuclear atom. There are explanations for some of the questions after you submit the quiz. If you could not figure out why a particular option is the answer, feel free to drop a comment below or ask a question in ‘O’ & ‘A’ Level Discussion section of the forum. If you wish to contribute questions to this quiz, please contact us.

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1. The nucleus of a nitrogen atom can be represented as $^{14}_{7} \text{N}$.

The nucleus of this atom consists of

14 protons and 7 neutrons.

14 protons and 7 electrons.

7 protons and 7 electrons.

7 protons and 7 neutrons.

2. Which of the following occurs in the decay of a radioactive nucleus?

The nucleus absorbs at least one form of radiation.

The nucleus absorbs another nucleus.

The nucleus emits at least one form of radiation.

The nucleus always splits into two equal fragments.

3. A nuclide of the element plutonium is $^{242}_{94} \text{Pu}$.

What is the number of neutrons in its nucleus?

148

242

336

94

4. A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 2 minutes.

What can be deduced from this statement?

After 4 minutes, none of the isotope remains.

After 4 minutes, $\frac{1}{4}$ of the isotope remains.

After $\frac{1}{2}$ minute, $\frac{1}{2}$ of the isotope remains.

After 1 minute, $\frac{1}{2}$ of the isotope remains.

5. The neutral atoms of all isotopes of the same element contain the same number of __________.

electrons and neutrons.

neutrons and protons.

neutrons only.

electrons and protons.

6. A radioactive source has a half-life of 24 hours. At 1:00 am, it has an activity of 1000 counts per minute. At 1:00 pm on the same day, what is its most likely activity?

800 counts per minute

600 counts per minute

700 counts per minute

900 counts per minute

7. A nucleus consists of 90 protons and 144 neutrons.

After emitting two beta-particles followed by an alpha-particle, this nucleus has:

90 protons and 140 neutrons.

86 protons and 142 neutrons.

86 protons and 140 neutrons.

90 protons and 142 neutrons.

8. Which of the following affects the activity level of a radioactive source?

Immersing the source in concentrated acid

Increasing the pressure of the surroundings

None of the above

Increasing the temperature of the surroundings

9. $^{14}_{6} \text{C}$ represents a nuclide of the element carbon and $^{14}_{7} \text{N}$ a nuclide of nitrogen.

How does a neutral atom of $^{14}_{7} \text{N} $ differ from a neutral atom of $^{14}_{6} \text{C} $?

The nitrogen atom has one neutron more than the carbon atom.

The nitrogen atom has one proton more than the carbon atom.

The nitrogen atom has one electron less than the carbon atom.

The nitrogen atom has one proton less than the carbon atom.

10. Three nuclei P, Q and R have proton numbers (atomic numbers) and nucleon numbers (mass numbers) as shown.

P:

• Proton number: 43
• Nucleon number: 93

Q:

• Proton number: 43
• Nucleon number: 94

R:

• Proton number: 44
• Nucleon number: 94

 

Which nuclei are isotopes of the same element?

Q and R only

P and R only

P and Q only

P, Q and R

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