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Nuclear Chemistry

Description: This test contains 25 multiple choice on nuclear chemistry.
Number of Questions: 25
Created by:
Tags: Nuclides radioactive isotopes nuclear reactions etc Radioactive Isotopes and Their Uses Natural and Artificial Radioactivity Nuclear Fission and Fusion, Nuclear Reactors Half Life Period Half-life Period
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A nuclide-X has too low n/p ratio and thus, undergoes _______ to produce a nuclide with a neutron-to-proton ratio higher than it.

  1. gamma radioactive decay

  2. electron capture

  3. beta decay

  4. alpha decay


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The final type of beta decay is known as electron capture and also occurs when the neutron to proton ratio in the nucleus is too small. The nucleus captures an electron which basically turns a proton into a neutron. E.g. beryllium-7.

A nuclear power plant has a moderator which

  1. absorbs neutrons and thereby controls the fission reactions

  2. slow downs the neutrons produced from the fission reactions so that they can be absorbed by more fuel

  3. carries the heat produced from the fission reactions to an external turbine

  4. protects the workers and the environment from radiation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

It is to slow down the neutrons produced in fission, because slow neutrons are much more likely to be captured by a U-235 nucleus, thus continuing the chain reaction.

Which of the following radioactive elements is used in making 'exit' signs?

  1. Hydrogen-3

  2. Fluorine-18

  3. Cobalt-60

  4. Samarium-153


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Hydrogen-3 is also known as tritium. Gaseous tritium source exit signs are 'EXIT' sign boards, used to indicate emergency exit. They are the most widely used exit signs nowadays. Tritium exit signs are better compared to other traditional or hard-wire exit signs, because they do not require electricity. They work on the principle of radio-luminescence.

Which of the following particles produced by radioactive decay processes is the heaviest?

  1. Neutrinos

  2. Positron

  3. Beta particles

  4. Alpha particle


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The alpha particle is a type of ionizing radiation. With its partners the gamma particles and beta particles, alpha particles are one of the most prevalent forms of radiation. An alpha particle is essentially a helium nucleus, which consists of two neutrons and two protons, without electrons, giving it a net positive charge. Due to its relatively high mass, alpha particles are the most destructive form of ionizing radiation.

After how many alpha & beta decays Th-234 will produce Ra-220?

  1. 2 alpha + 3 beta

  2. 7 alpha + 4 beta

  3. 5 alpha + 4 beta

  4. 4 alpha + 3 beta


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The uranium decay-series contains several radioactive isotopes.U-238 decays by alpha emission into thorium Th-234. Th-234 decays by 2 alpha & 3 beta emission changes into Ra-220.

A radioactive isotope used in polycythemia is:

  1. Iodine-131

  2. Phosphorus-32

  3. Boron-10

  4. Actinium-225


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In a disease called Polycythemia vera, an excess of red blood cells is produced in the bone marrow. Phosphorus-32 is used to control this excess.

Which of the following radioactive nuclides is used as RNT agent?

  1. Iodine-131

  2. Phosphorus-32

  3. Yttrium-90

  4. Boron-10


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Yttrium-90 is used for treatment of cancer, particularly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and its more widespread use is envisaged, including for arthritis treatment. Lu-177 and Y-90 are becoming the main RNT agents.

The radioactive nuclide used in TAT is:

  1. strontium-89

  2. iridium-192

  3. lead-212

  4. technetium-99


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A new field is Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) or alpha radioimmunotherapy, especially for the control of dispersed cancers. The short range of very energetic alpha emissions in tissue means that a large fraction of that radiative energy goes into the targeted cancer cells, once a carrier such as a monoclonal antibody has taken the alpha-emitting radionuclide to exactly the right place. TAT using lead-212 is said to show promise for treating pancreatic, ovarian and melanoma cancers.

Which of the following structures in a nuclear reactor maintains the temperature?

  1. Coolant

  2. Moderators

  3. Shielding

  4. Control rods


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The coolant prevents overheating in the reactor from . The coolant liquid carries the unused heat to an outside cooling tower. There is a large cooling tower at Nine Mile 2. Some of the heat is sent to a boiler to generate steam and turn the turbines that generate electricity. Shielding prevents radiation leaks; moderators slow down nuclear reactions; control rods absorb neutrons and halt the reaction.

With the decrease in temperature, the half-life of a radioactive nuclide will

  1. increase

  2. decrease

  3. remains the same

  4. become infinite


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Half-life depends on time. Factors like temperature, pressure, and volume have no effect. So, with the decrease in tempreture the half-life of a radioactive nuclide will remains the same.

The radiation that remains unaffected by the electric field is:

  1. alpha radiation

  2. beta radiation

  3. positron

  4. gamma radiation


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Gamma rays are high-energy photons with a very short wavelength (0.0005 to 0.1 nm). The emission of gamma radiation results from an energy change within the atomic nucleus. Gamma emission changes neither the atomic number nor the atomic mass so it will remain unaffected by the electric field.

The radioactive emanations having a charge of -1 is

  1. alpha particles

  2. gamma rays

  3. beta particles

  4. positron


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Beta particles have a charge of minus 1, and a mass of about 1/2000th of a proton. This means that beta particles are the same as an electron. They are fast and light. Beta particles have a medium penetrating power.

A particle which does not show acceleration in a magnetic field is:

  1. alpha radiation

  2. positron

  3. gamma radiation

  4. beta radiation


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Gamma rays are high-energy photons with a very short wavelength (0.0005 to 0.1 nm). The emission of gamma radiation results from an energy change within the atomic nucleus. Gamma emission changes neither the atomic number nor the atomic mass so, they do not show acceleration in a magnetic field.

The radioactive nuclide used in geological dating is

  1. Y-90

  2. U-238

  3. B-10

  4. P-32


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Geological dating covers thousands of years. Only isotopes with long half-lives can be used. The isotope with the longest half-life is uranium-238. Uranium-238 can be used to date rocks, fossils and meteorites. Carbon-14 is used to date matter that was once alive.

A particle accelerator can not increase the kinetic energy of:

  1. positron

  2. alpha particles

  3. neutrons

  4. beta


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Only charged particles can have their kinetic energy increased in a particle accelerator. Electric and magnetic fields are used to speed up the particles and these field have no effect on uncharged particles. Neutrons have no charge so a particle accelerator can not increase the kinetic enegy of a neutron.

In a nuclear reactor liquid sodium is used as:

  1. moderators

  2. control rods

  3. shielding

  4. coolant


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The coolant is substance in a pipe to the steam generator where water is boiled. This is where heat-exchange process occurs. Heat is absorbed by the coolant that is produced in the reactor. Typical coolants are water, carbon dioxide gas or liquid sodium.

Lead blocks and concrete enclosure forms ______ of a nuclear reactor.

  1. shielding

  2. moderators

  3. control rods

  4. coolant


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Shielding prevents radiations to reach outside the reactor. Lead blocks and concrete enclosure that is strong enough of several meters thickness are used for shielding.

In a nuclear reactor, the elements Cd & B are used to make:

  1. moderators

  2. turbines

  3. control rods

  4. generator


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

These rods absorb neutrons and stop the chain reaction to proceed further. These are made up of steel containing a high percentage of material like cadmium or boron which can absorb neutrons. When control rods are completely inserted into the moderator block then all the neutrons is absorbed and reaction comes to halt.   

In which of the following nuclear reactors helium or carbon dioxide is used as a coolant?

  1. Pressurized water reactor

  2. High temperature gas cooled reactor

  3. Boiling water reactor

  4. Sodium cooled fast reactor


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The coolant material used here is either helium or carbon dioxide which transfers heat to the turbines.

The nuclear reactor using water as a coolant is a:

  1. pressurized water reactor

  2. boiling water reactor

  3. high temperature gas cooled reactor

  4. sodium cooled fast reactor


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In this reactor, water is used as coolant. The primary cooling water is at very high pressure so it does not boil. It goes through heat exchanger transferring heat to the loop which then spins the turbine.

Which of the following nuclear power plants is located in U.P.?

  1. Kakrapar Atomic Power Station

  2. Narora Atomic Power Station

  3. Rajasthan Atomic Power Station

  4. Tarapur Atomic Power Station


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Narora Atomic Power Station is located in Bulandshahar District in Uttar Pradesh, India. The first reactor was established in 1989 and second in 1991. 350 MW power produced in both the reactors. The plant is situated on the bank of the river Ganga.

In a nuclear reactor, plutonium-239 can be used as:

  1. fuel

  2. moderator

  3. control rods

  4. shielding


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The fissionable material used in the reactor is called as fuel. The commonly used fuels are Uranium, Plutonium or Thorium. It can be U-235, U-238, Pu-236 or Th-232. Uranium is mostly preferred as it has high melting point.

The chemical properties of U-235 will be similar to the:

  1. Pa-233

  2. Pa-235

  3. U-233

  4. Pb-206


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The isotopes have the same atomic number (number of protons), the same number of electrons, but a different atomic mass because the number of neutrons is different. U-233 is an isotope of U-235 so, their chemical properties are similar.

D2O and graphite are generally used as:

  1. fuel

  2. control rods

  3. shielding

  4. moderators


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Only neutrons of a fairly low speed should be used to have controlled chain reaction. To slow down the speed fast moving neutrons produced during the fission process, moderators are used. Moderator reduces the speed of the neutron by absorbing its energy but not absorb neutron. Graphite, heavy water and beryllium are common moderators.

The radioactive isotope used for painting vintage aircraft is

  1. Pb

  2. Ra

  3. Rn

  4. Ti


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Considering the historical perspective, Radium was used in self-luminous paints, aircraft switches, clocks, nuclear panels and instrument dials.

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