Atomic structure and radioactivity quiz

15 Questions

Quiz Description

Here in this A level Chemistry quiz, we are going to take a look at atomic structure and radioactivity. Generally, our point of focus is going to be on the calculation of the half-life of a radioactive substance, the identification of the various types of radioactive particles (Alpha, Beta, and Gamma particles), and isotopy. This quiz covers a lot as far as atomic structure and radioactivity is concerned.

Radioactivity (also called radioactive decay) as we know is the process whereby unstable nuclei spontaneously release energy in the form of radiation. Hence, any substance containing unstable nuclei is said to be radioactive. There exist three main types of radioactive decay which are: alpha, beta, and gamma decay. 

Alpha decay is said to have occurred when a nucleus sends out an alpha particle (helium nucleus), Beta decay occurs when it emits an electron, and Gamma decay occurs when the nucleus undergoes either alpha or better decay, then the resulting daughter nucleus which is left in an excited state can then decay to a lower energy level emitting a gamma-ray proton.

Radioactivity is a very interesting topic in chemistry that is worth taking a quiz for. If you are willing to have a full understanding of this topic, just answer the quiz and be sure of improving your performance. Good luck as you solve it! 

1:

One gram of each of the following chemicals was placed at a distance of 2 cm from a Geiger-Muller tube and counter. The results are given below. The background count was found to be 34 counts/minute. Which chemical has a radioactivity of 18 counts/min?


Correct
  • 1:
    potassium chloride, 72 counts/min
  • 2:
    sodium chloride, 35 counts/min
  • 3:
    copper sulphate, 52 counts/min
  • 4:
    calcium carbonate, 39 counts/min
2:

Radioactive tracers can be used in medicine to help diagnose problems with for example, blood supply, liver and lung function. The patient is injected with an aqueous solution containing a small amount of the radioisotope (in the case of lungs, air containing a little radioactive gas). The location and movement of the tracer can followed by standing the patient against a detection screen. Why is an alpha emitting radioisotope NOT suitable as a tracer?


Correct
  • 1:
    alpha radiation is too penetrating and passes through the detector screen
  • 2:
    alpha radiation cannot penetrate the body to reach the detector screen
  • 3:
    alpha radiation is biologically the most harmful
  • 4:
    alpha radiation produces unwanted side-effects on the patient
3:

The half-life of radioactive thorium-234 is 24 days. A sample contains 8g of thorium-234. After how many days will it contain only 0.25g of thorium-24?


Correct
  • 1:
    72 days
  • 2:
    48 days
  • 3:
    120 days
  • 4:
    96 days
4:

Which of the following radiations is given out by radioactive substances?


Correct
  • 1:
    ultraviolet
  • 2:
    radiowave
  • 3:
    gamma
  • 4:
    infrared
5:

The emissions from four different radioactive sources where tested to see which materials would absorb and stop the radiation. The amount of radiation passing through was measured with a Geiger Counter in counts/second (c/s). From the data, which source gives out mainly ALPHA radiation?


<p>The emissions from four different radioactive sources where tested to see which materials would absorb and stop the radiation. The amount of radiation passing through was measured with a Geiger Counter in counts/second (c/s). From the data, which source gives out mainly ALPHA radiation?</p>
Correct
  • 1:
    Source W
  • 2:
    Source Y
  • 3:
    Source Q
  • 4:
    Source Z
6:

Which of the following radioactive sources would need the greatest thickness of lead to prevent harmful radiation escaping into the environment?


Correct
  • 1:
    alpha and beta emitting source
  • 2:
    beta emitting source
  • 3:
    gamma emitting source
  • 4:
    alpha emitting source
7:

One type of ionising radiation is an alpha particle. Which of the following correctly describes an alpha particle? [rad-33] 1. cannot pass through a sheet of paper : 2. consists of a helium nucleus : 3. has a positive charge


Correct
  • 1:
    1 and 3 only
  • 2:
    1, 2 and 3
  • 3:
    2 and 3 only
  • 4:
    2 only
8:

Radioactive tracers can be used to find leaks in pipes underground. The gamma emitter, Iridium-183 (half-life 54 minutes) can be used. Why is iridium-183 a suitable radioactive tracer to use?


Correct
  • 1:
    beta radiation could not be detected in the soil with a Geiger counter
  • 2:
    the half-life is quite short
  • 3:
    gamma radiation has no harmful effect on wildlife
  • 4:
    an alpha emitter would do long-term harm to the environment
9:

Which of the following may have increased the level of background radiation?


Correct
  • 1:
    mobile telephones
  • 2:
    exploring space
  • 3:
    microwave ovens
  • 4:
    nuclear reactors
10:

Which of the following radiations is given out by radioactive substances?


Correct
  • 1:
    radiowave
  • 2:
    ultraviolet
  • 3:
    beta
  • 4:
    infrared
11:

The radioactivity due to naturally occurring uranium minerals in rocks contributes to what is known as?


Correct
  • 1:
    atmospheric radiation
  • 2:
    solar radiation
  • 3:
    surrounding radiation
  • 4:
    background radiation
12:

Plutonium-234 is an alpha-emitting radioactive isotope. The radiation it gives out is best described as?


Correct
  • 1:
    the nuclei of helium atoms
  • 2:
    electrons from an atomic nucleus
  • 3:
    high frequency electromagnetic radiation
  • 4:
    electrons from a shell
13:

Which of A to D describes the greatest danger from radioactive substances? 


Correct
  • 1:
    the emitted radiation can cause cell damage and cancer
  • 2:
    the emitted radiation can pass through clothing and cause skin burns
  • 3:
    the emitted radiation can cause damage to the ozone layer
  • 4:
    there is no safe way of storing radioactive waste
14:

One gram of each of the following chemicals was placed at a distance of 2 cm from a Geiger-Muller tube and counter. The results are given below. The background count was found to be 34 counts/minute. Which chemical is the least radioactive?


Correct
  • 1:
    sodium chloride, 35 counts/min
  • 2:
    calcium carbonate, 39 counts/min
  • 3:
    potassium chloride, 72 counts/min
  • 4:
    copper sulphate, 52 counts/min
15:

The half-life of radioactive thorium-234 is 24 days. A sample contains 8g of thorium-234. After how many days will it contain only 4g of thorium-24?


Correct
  • 1:
    48 days
  • 2:
    24 days
  • 3:
    72 days
  • 4:
    96 days

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Atomic structure and radioactivity quiz
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