AQA physics A level nuclear physics

Question 1

Define nuclear physics.

Answer 1

The branch of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their interactions.

Question 2

What is a nucleus?

Answer 2

The central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Question 3

True or false: Protons have a positive charge.

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Neutrons have _______ charge.

Answer 4

no

Question 5

What is radioactivity?

Answer 5

The process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation.

Question 6

Define alpha decay.

Answer 6

A type of radioactive decay where an alpha particle is emitted from a nucleus.

Question 7

What particle is emitted during beta decay?

Answer 7

A beta particle, which is an electron or positron.

Question 8

True or false: Gamma rays have mass.

Answer 8

FALSE

Question 9

What does half-life represent?

Answer 9

The time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

Question 10

Fill in the blank: The strong nuclear force binds _______ together.

Answer 10

nucleons

Question 11

Define fission.

Answer 11

The splitting of a heavy nucleus into lighter nuclei, releasing energy.

Question 12

What is fusion?

Answer 12

The process where two light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus.

Question 13

True or false: Nuclear power plants use fission to generate energy.

Answer 13

TRUE

Question 14

What is a chain reaction in nuclear physics?

Answer 14

A series of reactions where the products of one reaction initiate further reactions.

Question 15

Fill in the blank: Uranium-235 is commonly used in _______ reactors.

Answer 15

nuclear

Question 16

Define nuclear waste.

Answer 16

Radioactive materials that remain after nuclear fuel has been used.

Question 17

What is radiation?

Answer 17

Energy emitted as particles or electromagnetic waves from radioactive materials.

Question 18

True or false: Alpha particles can penetrate skin.

Answer 18

FALSE

Question 19

What is the nuclear model of the atom?

Answer 19

A model proposing that atoms have a dense nucleus surrounded by electrons.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different _______.

Answer 20

neutron numbers

Question 21

Define mass defect.

Answer 21

The difference between the mass of an atomic nucleus and the sum of its parts.

Question 22

What is binding energy?

Answer 22

The energy required to separate nucleons in a nucleus.

Question 23

True or false: Nuclear reactions can change one element into another.

Answer 23

TRUE

Question 24

What is the Chernobyl disaster?

Answer 24

A catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred in 1986 in Ukraine.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: **Radon** is a _______ gas that is a health hazard.

Answer 25

radioactive

Question 26

Define **radiotherapy**.

Answer 26

A medical treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

Question 27

What is a **Geiger counter**?

Answer 27

An instrument used to detect and measure ionizing radiation.

Question 28

True or false: **Nuclear fusion** occurs naturally in stars.

Answer 28

TRUE

Question 29

What is **critical mass**?

Answer 29

The minimum amount of fissile material needed to maintain a nuclear chain reaction.

Question 30

Fill in the blank: **Nuclear reactors** use _______ to control fission reactions.

Answer 30

control rods

Question 31

Define **neutron activation**.

Answer 31

The process of making a stable isotope radioactive by bombarding it with neutrons.

Question 32

What is a **nuclear bomb**?

Answer 32

A weapon that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions.

Question 33

True or false: **Nuclear energy** is renewable.

Answer 33

FALSE

Question 34

What is **radiation therapy**?

Answer 34

A treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill or damage cancer cells.

Question 35

Fill in the blank: **Nuclear fusion** releases more energy than _______.

Answer 35

fission

Question 36

Define **nuclear decay**.

Answer 36

The process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy and mass.

Question 37

What is **nuclear security**?

Answer 37

Measures taken to protect nuclear materials and facilities from theft or sabotage.

Question 38

True or false: **Nuclear reactors** can produce weapons-grade material.

Answer 38

TRUE

Question 39

What is the **NPT**?

Answer 39

The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, aimed at preventing spread.