Nuclear Chemistry

Fission is the process of creating energy by
-combining small nuclei to form a larger, more stable nucleus
-combining small nuclei to form a larger, less stable nucleus
-splitting large nuclei with bombarding protons
-splitting large nuclei with bombarding neutrons

Fission is the process of creating energy by
-combining small nuclei to form a larger, more stable nucleus
-combining small nuclei to form a larger, less stable nucleus
-splitting large nuclei with bombarding protons
-splitting large nuclei with bombarding neutrons

splitting large nuclei with bombarding neutrons

Which is a common characteristic of both nuclear and conventional electric power plants?
-smoke stacks
-fuel rods
-water cooling systems
-turbines

turbines

Which feature or process is unique to nuclear power plants when compared to conventional coal-burning power plants?
-formation of steam
-smoke stacks
-generators
-control rods

control rods

Which of these is not a realistic risk associated with nuclear power plants?
-storage of spent fuel rods
-likelihood of nuclear explosion
-a meltdown from loss of coolant
-thermal pollution of the coolant source

likelihood of nuclear explosion

Which is the best critique of the following statement? "Radioactivity is so dangerous that we should do all we can to completely eliminate our exposure."
-absolutely correct. radioactivity is the ultimate danger and we should keep our exposure to zero
-not true; we should not fear radioactivity because it is a natural part of life
-somewhat true. radioactivity can be dangerous, but in some circumstances, exposure to it is unavoidable, so zero exposure is not a reasonable goal
-somewhat true. although any exposure to radioactivity is potentially deadly, there is nothing we can do to avoid it so we must be resigned to the risk

somewhat true. radioactivity can be dangerous, but in some circumstances, exposure to it is unavoidable, so zero exposure is not a reasonable goal

Which is true about radioactivity? Radioactivity
-is used to treat certain cancers
-damages white blood cells
-deforms DNA
-all of these choices are true

all of these choices are true

What is the maximum one-time dose of radiation one can receive without suffering any detectable physiological effects?
-≤ 25 rem (0.25 Sv)
-≤ 50 rem (0.5 Sv)
-≤ 100 rem (1.0 Sv)
-≤ 200 rem (2.0 Sv)

≤ 25 rem (0.25 Sv)

Which is not true of radioactive half-life? Radioactive half-life is
-the time required for the level of radioactivity in a sample to be cut in half
-independent of the amount of radioactive material present
-increased by heating of the isotope
-independent of the physical or chemical form of the isotope

increased by heating of the isotope

Which fact is not important when drawing conclusions from C-14 dating?
-living organisms exchange carbon with the atmosphere
-C-14 has a half-life of 5,730 years
-dead organisms do not exchange carbon with the atmosphere
-C-14 emits beta particles

C-14 emits beta particles

Which country gets the smallest percentage of its electrical power from nuclear reactors?
-Canada
-France
-Belgium
-Spain

Canada

Which is not a suitable option for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel?
-seal it in deep pools
-monitor it in storage near the ground surface
-bury it deep within the Earth
-seal it in a landfill

seal it in a landfill

Which is a characteristic of "surface" high-level nuclear waste storage that is not a characteristic of storing the waste in a geological repository? Waste in a geological depository is not
-as easily accessible
-feasible
-secure
-safe

as easily accessible

Most high-level nuclear waste in the United States is currently
-sealed deep within the Earth
-encased in glass and buried near the surface
-sealed in deep pools at the sites were it was produced
-stored at breeder reactors waiting for reprocessing

sealed in deep pools at the sites were it was produced

Which is not considered to be low-level radioactive waste?
-clothing for workers administering nuclear medicine
-smoke detectors
-spent fuel rods
-radioactive pharmaceuticals

spent fuel rods

The fuel for both nuclear and coal power plants must be mined. Which miners are most likely to contract black lung disease?
-coal miners
-uranium miners
-plutonium miners
-black lung is not a risk for miners of any fuel

coal miners

Smokestacks at these plants release sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide into the air:
-coal-burning plants
-nuclear plants
-both
-neither

coal-burning plants

Including fuel production and power generation, which type of power plant is responsible for more fatalities annually?
-nuclear plants
-coal-burning plants
-neither may be connected to fatalities
-fatalities are substantially the same for both

coal-burning plants

Which is not a benefit associated with nuclear power plants?
-efficient production of electricity
-reduction of CO2 in atmosphere
-inexpensive to operate
-helps reduce the levels of acid rain

inexpensive to operate

Which factor will support the growth of nuclear energy in the future?
-smaller, more efficient reactor design
-a ban on the use and development of breeder reactors
-tax incentives for the oil and gas industry
-high cost of new, safer technology

smaller, more efficient reactor design

Which factor will oppose the growth of nuclear energy in the future?
-standardization of reactor design
-increased operational lifetime of reactors
-shorter construction time for reactors
-transportation of high level waste to depositories

transportation of high level waste to depositories

The primary reason countries worldwide have turned to nuclear power for electricity generation is to reduce
-the greenhouse effect
-acid rain
-their reliance on fossil fuels
-the damage caused by strip mining

their reliance on fossil fuels

The annual radiation dose for most citizens of the US is between
-0 to 0.10 Sv.
-0.10 to 0.25 Sv.
-0.25 to 0.50 Sv.
-0.50 to 1.0 Sv.

0 to 0.10 Sv.

The greatest percentage of background radiation comes from
-nuclear power plants
-medical x-rays
-living things
-naturally occurring radon

naturally occurring radon

Approximately what percentage of the electrical energy generated in the United States is produced from nuclear energy?
-<2%
-10%
-20%
-50%

20%

Which form of radiation has the highest Q factor?
-UV radiation
-alpha particles
-beta particles
-X-rays

alpha particles

Which example is both a type of nuclear radiation and electromagnetic radiation?
-microwave radiation
-gamma radiation
-alpha rays
-ultraviolet radiation

gamma radiation

Rank the forms of nuclear radiation according to mass
-gamma, alpha, beta
-beta, gamma, alpha
-alpha, gamma, beta
-alpha, beta, gamma

alpha, beta, gamma

In which organ does radioactive I-131 accumulate?
-liver
-pituitary gland
-thyroid gland
-adrenal glands

thyroid gland

Which scientific law best applies to nuclear reactions?
-Conservation of Matter
-Conservation of Energy
-Conservation of Matter and Energy
-None of these choices are correct

Conservation of Matter and Energy

A breeder reactor produces which nuclear fuel?
-239Pu
-238U
-141Ba
-235U

239Pu

The radioactive decay series of U-238 terminates at which nonradioactive isotope?
-210Tl
-210Bi
-206Pb
-144Ba

206Pb

What is the most common radioactive element in our food?
-23Mg
-40K
-131I
-90Sr

40K

Which of the following is usually consumed in a breeder reactor?
-Pu-239
-U-235
-C-14
-U-238

U-235

What is vitrification?
-spent fuel elements or other mixed waste are encased in ceramic or glass
-spent fuel elements or other mixed waste are buried beneath the ocean floor
-spent fuel elements or other mixed waste are deposited in Nevada

spent fuel elements or other mixed waste are encased in ceramic or glass

Radon-222...
-is a radioactive gas produced from the decay of radium
-is naturally occurring
-is the largest contributor to background radiation
-all of the above

all of the above

Depleted uranium...
-is all U-235
-is all U-238
-is mostly, but not all U-238
-is mostly, but not all U-235

is mostly, but not all U-238

Weapons-grade uranium is...
-30% U-235
-60% U-235
-90% U-235
-90% U-239

90% U-235

alpha particle

beta particle

gamma radiation

neutron

proton

positron

How much energy in KJ will be released by complete conversion of 4 grams of He to energy? E=mc²

4g = 4×10^-3kg

E= (4× 10^-3) x (2.99 × 10^8)²

EJ= 3.57 × 10^14

(3.57 × 10^14) x (10^-3)= 3.57 × 10^11 kj

Technitium-99 has a half-life of 6 hours. How many grams of a 10.0 gram sample would remain after exactly 18 hours?

(Tc-99)=

10g —-6hrs——>5g —6hrs—>2.5g —6hrs—>1.25g

After 18 hours, 1.25g of the 10g sample remain.