36 Questions
What is the critical condition for an atomic bomb to work?
The size of the fissile material should not be less than the critical size
What happens when the amount of U 235 exceeds a few kilograms?
Neutrons emitted during fission are absorbed by adjacent nuclei causing further fission
What is the result of a nuclear chain reaction caused by U 235 fission?
A vast quantity of energy is released
What is the difference between nuclear fission and spallation reactions?
Spallation reactions involve high energy bombarding particles or photons
What is the most common element capable of undergoing nuclear fission?
Uranium
What is the name of the process by which U 235 undergoes fission?
Nuclear fission
What is the term used to describe the phenomenon of certain elements undergoing spontaneous disintegration without external influence?
Radioactivity
Who is credited with the discovery of radioactivity in 1891?
Henry Becquerel
What is the term used to describe the study of the composition of atomic nuclei and nuclear transformations?
Nuclear Chemistry
What is the term used to describe the process in which a non-radioactive substance becomes radioactive after exposure to radiation?
Induced Radioactivity
What is the purpose of devices such as ionisation chamber, Geiger Muller counter, and scintillation counter?
To detect and measure radioactivity
What is the term used to describe nuclear reactions that involve the combination of atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?
Nuclear Fusion
What is the type of nuclear reaction that occurs when a heavier atom like uranium-235 is split into smaller fragments?
Nuclear fission
Which of the following isotopes of uranium undergoes fission by slow moving neutrons?
U-235
What is the purpose of a nuclear reactor?
To obtain nuclear energy in a controlled way for peaceful purposes
Which of the following elements is used in a nuclear reactor to slow down neutrons?
Graphite
What was the composition of the atomic bomb used in Hiroshima?
U-235
Who discovered that uranium-235 splits up into two relatively lighter elements when bombarded with neutrons?
Hahn and Startsman
What happens when the neutron-to-proton ratio in a nucleus is higher than required for stability?
The nucleus emits a β- ray
What is the relationship between the rate of radioactive decay and the amount of the radioactive element present?
The rate of radioactive decay is directly proportional to the amount of the radioactive element present
What is the significance of the decay constant λ in the equation for radioactive decay?
It is independent of temperature and is a characteristic of the radioactive element
What is the effect of a lower neutron-to-proton ratio in a nucleus than required for stability?
Any of the above options
What is the order of the reaction in radioactive decay?
First order
What is the energy of activation for radioactive decay?
Zero
What is the primary reason why Radium is about 3 million times more radioactive than uranium?
Radium has a more unstable nucleus
What is the characteristic of α-rays emitted by a radioactive substance?
They have a positive charge and a 4-unit mass
What is the result of a radioactive substance emitting radiations by itself?
The substance exhibits natural radioactivity
What is the difference between β-rays and γ-rays emitted by a radioactive substance?
β-rays have a negative charge and γ-rays have no charge
Why do certain elements undergo spontaneous disintegration without external influence?
Due to their unstable nucleus
What is the primary reason why Rutherford was able to split the radiations emitted by a radioactive substance into α, β, and γ-rays?
He applied electric and magnetic fields to the radiations
What is the result of a decrease in the neutron-proton ratio in a radioactive nucleus?
An increase in the stability of the nucleus
What is the consequence of a radioactive nucleus emitting an alpha-particle?
A decrease in the atomic number of the nucleus by 2
What is the relationship between the packing fraction and the stability of a nucleus?
A lower packing fraction indicates a more stable nucleus
What is the role of the neutron-proton ratio in determining the stability of a nucleus?
A lower neutron-proton ratio indicates a more stable nucleus
What is the consequence of a radioactive nucleus emitting a beta-particle?
An increase in the atomic number of the nucleus by 1
What is the relationship between the binding energy and the stability of a nucleus?
A higher binding energy indicates a more stable nucleus
Test your knowledge of nuclear chemistry and fission reactions, including transuranic elements and the critical mass of uranium-235. Learn about the process of nuclear chain reactions and how they release energy.
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