Nuclear Fission and Fusion: A Comprehensive Guide for BSc Students

Question 1

Which of the following is the primary distinction between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion?

Accepted Answer

Fission involves the splitting of heavy atoms, whereas fusion involves the combination of light atoms

Answer

Fission produces more energy than fusion

Answer

Fusion is more challenging to manage than fission

Answer

Both fission and fusion involve the release of energy from atomic nuclei

Question 2

The energy released in nuclear fission is a result of:

Accepted Answer

The conversion of mass into energy according to Einstein's equation E=mc^2

Answer

The acceleration of charged particles

Answer

The electromagnetic force

Answer

The strong nuclear force

Question 3

Which of the following is a product of nuclear fusion?

Accepted Answer

Helium

Answer

Uranium

Answer

Plutonium

Answer

Carbon dioxide

Question 4

The critical mass of a nuclear fuel is:

Accepted Answer

The minimum amount of fuel required to sustain a chain reaction

Answer

The amount of fuel needed to produce a nuclear explosion

Answer

The maximum amount of fuel that can be safely stored

Answer

The amount of fuel that produces the highest energy output

Question 5

The half-life of a radioactive isotope refers to:

Accepted Answer

The time it takes for half of the isotope to decay

Answer

The time it takes for the isotope to decay completely

Answer

The time it takes for the isotope to become stable

Answer

The amount of radiation emitted by the isotope

Question 6

During the nuclear fission of uranium-235, which particle is emitted?

Accepted Answer

Neutron

Answer

Proton

Answer

Electron

Answer

Alpha particle

Question 7

Approximately how much energy is released per fission event in a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

100 MeV

Answer

10 MeV

Answer

1 GeV

Answer

10 GeV

Question 8

In nuclear fission, which particle is NOT released?

Accepted Answer

Protons

Answer

Energy

Answer

Neutrons

Answer

Gamma rays

Question 9

In nuclear fusion, two nuclei combine to form a nucleus that is:

Accepted Answer

Heavier

Answer

Lighter

Answer

Identical

Answer

Radioactive

Question 10

Which particle plays a crucial role in sustaining a chain reaction in nuclear fission?

Accepted Answer

Neutrons

Answer

Protons

Answer

Electrons

Answer

Alpha particles

Question 11

The energy released in nuclear reactions originates from:

Accepted Answer

Mass difference between reactants and products

Answer

Conversion of matter into energy

Answer

Electrical potential energy of the nuclei

Answer

Chemical bonds formed in the process

Question 12

The spontaneous decay of heavy nuclei is known as:

Accepted Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Nuclear fission

Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Electron capture

Question 13

The minimum energy required to initiate a nuclear reaction is called the:

Accepted Answer

Threshold energy

Answer

Activation energy

Answer

Binding energy

Answer

Critical mass

Question 14

Which type of nuclear reactor utilizes heavy water as a moderator?

Accepted Answer

Heavy-water reactor

Answer

Light-water reactor

Answer

Gas-cooled reactor

Answer

Liquid-metal reactor

Question 15

Separating uranium isotopes for nuclear fuel is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Enrichment

Answer

Conversion

Answer

Reprocessing

Answer

Fabrication

Question 16

In nuclear fission, which isotope serves as the primary reactant?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-235

Answer

Helium-4

Answer

Hydrogen-2

Answer

Carbon-12

Question 17

Which type of radioactive decay releases an alpha particle?

Accepted Answer

Alpha Decay

Answer

Gamma Decay

Answer

Beta Decay

Question 18

In a nuclear reactor, what is the primary function of a moderator?

Accepted Answer

Slowing down neutrons

Answer

Absorbing neutrons

Answer

Initiating nuclear fission

Answer

Producing electricity

Question 19

Which isotope is predominantly utilized as nuclear fuel?

Accepted Answer

Uranium-235

Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Plutonium-239

Answer

Thorium-232

Question 20

What is the term for the process where lighter nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear Fusion

Answer

Nuclear Fission

Answer

Nuclear Transmutation

Answer

Radioactive Decay

Question 21

Nuclear fusion offers several potential applications. Which of the following is one of them?

Accepted Answer

Power generation

Answer

Food preservation

Answer

Medical imaging

Answer

Weaponry

Question 22

Compared to fossil fuels, what is a key environmental advantage of nuclear energy?

Accepted Answer

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Answer

Increased public acceptance

Answer

Higher energy output

Answer

Lower operating costs

Question 23

When considering nuclear power plants, which of the following is a primary safety concern?

Accepted Answer

Waste disposal

Answer

Traffic congestion

Answer

Water shortages

Answer

Air pollution

Question 24

In a nuclear reactor, what is the purpose of control rods?

Accepted Answer

Regulating the rate of nuclear fission

Answer

Generating electricity

Answer

Preventing meltdowns

Answer

Cooling the reactor