Question: An alpha particle is really a high-energy electron ejected from the nucleus.

Answer: -False

Question: Nuclear power reactors cannot explode like an atom bomb because there is not enough of the fissionable U-235 in a reactor to maintain a chain reaction.

Answer: -False

Question: The decay rate of a radioactive isotope can be increased by increasing the:

Answer: -size of the sample

Question: The basic requirement for a fusion reaction are:

Answer: -temperature on the order of 100 million degrees Celsius

-dense concentration of hydrogen nuclei

-confinement at 10 atmospheres pressure for at least on second

Question: The protons in a nucleus stay together due to the:

Answer: -nuclear force

Question: A Geiger counter measures radiation indirectly by measuring:

Answer: -electrons released by ionization

Question: As the size of nuclei increases, the ratio of neutrons to protons in the band of stability increases to:

Answer: -1.5 to 1

Question: The radioactive isotope Z has a half-life of 12 hours. After 2 days, the fraction of the original amount remaining is:

Answer: -1/16

Question: When an isotope releases gamma radiation the atomic number:

Answer: -and the mass number remain the same

Question: Reactor control rods are made of a substance that:

Answer: -absorbs neutrons