Nuclear Physics Quizzes: Test Your Understanding

Question 1

What is the process called where a heavy nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fission

Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Spontaneous emission

Question 2

What is the name of the phenomenon where an unstable atomic nucleus emits radiation to transform into a more stable nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Nuclear fission

Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Electron capture

Question 3

What is the term for the fundamental force that overcomes the electromagnetic repulsion between protons in a nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Strong nuclear force

Answer

Weak nuclear force

Answer

Electromagnetic force

Answer

Gravitational force

Question 4

What is the name of the high-energy photon emitted when a nucleus undergoes radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

Gamma ray

Answer

Alpha particle

Answer

Beta particle

Answer

Proton

Question 5

What is the name of the particle that mediates the weak nuclear force and is associated with radioactive decay?

Accepted Answer

W and Z boson

Answer

Photon

Answer

Gluon

Answer

Neutrino

Question 6

Identify the force that is not a fundamental force in nuclear physics.

Accepted Answer

Centrifugal force

Answer

Gravitational force

Answer

Electromagnetic force

Answer

Weak force

Question 7

What is the approximate half-life of Uranium-238?

Accepted Answer

4.5 billion years

Answer

700 million years

Answer

1,400 years

Answer

2,000 years

Question 8

Identify the subatomic particle that carries a positive electrical charge.

Accepted Answer

Proton

Answer

Neutron

Answer

Electron

Answer

Neutrino

Question 9

Which of the following is a type of nuclear fusion reaction that occurs in stars?

Accepted Answer

Proton-proton fusion chain

Answer

Deuterium-tritium fusion

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Question 10

What is the term for the emission of a high-energy photon from an atomic nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Gamma decay

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Neutron decay

Question 11

Identify the isotope of uranium that is commonly used as a nuclear fuel.

Accepted Answer

Uranium-235

Answer

Uranium-232

Answer

Uranium-238

Answer

Uranium-240

Question 12

A nuclear reaction where a neutron is absorbed by a nucleus and a gamma ray is released is known as:

Accepted Answer

Neutron capture

Answer

Alpha decay

Answer

Beta decay

Answer

Gamma decay

Question 13

Which reaction describes a chain reaction?

Accepted Answer

Neutrons released in one reaction trigger subsequent reactions

Answer

The number of neutrons remains unchanged

Answer

The number of neutrons decreases

Answer

The number of neutrons increases

Question 14

In nuclear medicine, what is the purpose of using isotopes?

Accepted Answer

Disease diagnosis and treatment

Answer

Medical equipment sterilization

Answer

Food preservation

Answer

Electricity generation

Question 15

Which radioactive isotope is utilized for dating fossils?

Accepted Answer

Carbon-14

Answer

Nitrogen-13

Answer

Oxygen-16

Answer

Sodium-23

Question 16

What is the key function of a nuclear reactor?

Accepted Answer

Controlling a chain reaction to produce energy

Answer

Converting nuclear waste into usable energy

Answer

Accelerating charged particles

Answer

Detecting radioactive materials

Question 17

Which device serves as a source of thermal neutrons?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear reactor

Answer

Cyclotron

Answer

Linear accelerator

Answer

Synchrotron

Question 18

Which of the following particles is NOT a fundamental constituent of an atomic nucleus?

Accepted Answer

Electron

Answer

Quark

Answer

Proton

Answer

Neutron

Question 19

The process that results in the formation of a heavier nucleus by the combination of two or more atomic nuclei is known as:

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion

Answer

Radioactive decay

Answer

Nuclear fission

Answer

Nuclear bombardment

Question 20

The half-life of a radioactive isotope can be defined as:

Accepted Answer

The time taken for half of the nuclei in a sample to decay

Answer

The time taken for all of the nuclei in a sample to decay

Answer

The average lifetime of a single nucleus

Question 21

Nuclear fission is initiated by:

Accepted Answer

Bombardment of a heavy nucleus with a neutron

Answer

Absorption of a gamma ray by a heavy nucleus

Answer

Collision of two heavy nuclei

Answer

Spontaneous decay of a heavy nucleus

Question 22

The primary energy source of the Sun is:

Accepted Answer

Nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei

Answer

Geothermal energy from the Earth's core

Answer

Nuclear fission of uranium atoms

Answer

Chemical burning of hydrogen and oxygen

Question 23

Which of the following is a type of nuclear radiation?

Accepted Answer

Alpha particle

Answer

Infrared radiation

Answer

Ultraviolet light

Answer

Microwaves