Page 463 - Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Applied Physics

448 NUCLEAR PHYSICS [CHAP. 36

Multiple-Choice Questions

36.1. Nearly all the volume occupied by matter consists of
(a) electrons (c) neutrons
(b) protons (d) empty space
36.2. The atomic number of an element is the number of
(a) protons in its nucleus
(b) neutrons in its nucleus
(c) protons and neutrons in its nucleus
(d) electrons in its nucleus

36.3. The weakest of the four fundamental interactions is the
(a) gravitational (c) strong
(b) electromagnetic (d) weak

36.4. The isotopes of an element all have the same
(a) atomic number (c) binding energy
(b) mass number (d) half-life
16
36.5. Each nucleus of the nitrogen isotope N contains
7
(a) 7 neutrons (c) 16 neutrons
(b) 9 neutrons (d) 23 neutrons

36.6. Nuclear fusion and fission reactions give off energy because
(a) the binding energy per nucleon is least for nuclei of intermediate size
(b) the binding energy per nucleon is most for nuclei of intermediate size
(c) they liberate neutrons
(d) they liberate protons

36.7. In a chain reaction
(a) protons and neutrons join to form atomic nuclei
(b) light nuclei join to form heavy ones
(c) neutrons emitted during the fission of heavy nuclei induce fissions in other nuclei
(d) uranium is burned in a type of furnace called a reactor

36.8. The energy that heats the sun has its origin in
(a) radioactivity
(b) nuclear fission
(c) the production of helium from hydrogen
(d) the production of hydrogen from helium

36.9. An alpha particle consists of
(a) two protons
(b) two protons and two electrons
(c) two protons and two neutrons
(d) two protons, two neutrons, and two electrons

36.10. Gamma rays have the same basic nature as
(a) alpha particles (c) positrons
(b) electrons (d) X-rays