Nuclear physics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of atomic nuclei and their interactions. It focuses on understanding the structure, properties, and behavior of atomic nuclei, which are the central cores of atoms.

Table of content

• Part 1: 30 Nuclear Physics quiz questions & answers
• Part 2: Download Nuclear Physics questions & answers for free
• Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker

Part 1: 30 Nuclear Physics quiz questions & answers

1. What is the composition of an atomic nucleus?
a) Protons and electrons
b) Protons and neutrons
c) Electrons and neutrons
d) Neutrons and positrons
Answer: b) Protons and neutrons

2. What term is used for atoms of the same element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons?
a) Elements
b) Isotopes
c) Ions
d) Nucleons
Answer: b) Isotopes

3. Which nuclear process involves splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei?
a) Nuclear fusion
b) Nuclear fission
c) Beta decay
d) Alpha decay
Answer: b) Nuclear fission

4. Which type of radiation consists of high-energy photons emitted from the atomic nucleus?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: c) Gamma radiation

5. The mass number of a nucleus is equal to:
a) The number of protons
b) The number of neutrons
c) The number of nucleons
d) The number of electrons
Answer: c) The number of nucleons

6. Which nuclear reaction powers the Sun and other stars?
a) Nuclear fission
b) Nuclear fusion
c) Alpha decay
d) Beta decay
Answer: b) Nuclear fusion

7. What is the primary force responsible for holding protons and neutrons together in the atomic nucleus?
a) Electromagnetic force
b) Weak nuclear force
c) Gravitational force
d) Strong nuclear force
Answer: d) Strong nuclear force

8. The process of an unstable nucleus spontaneously emitting particles or radiation is called:
a) Nuclear fusion
b) Nuclear fission
c) Radioactivity
d) Beta decay
Answer: c) Radioactivity

9. Which type of nuclear reaction involves the combination of two light atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?
a) Nuclear fusion
b) Nuclear fission
c) Alpha decay
d) Beta decay
Answer: a) Nuclear fusion

10. What is the most common type of radioactive decay that involves the emission of a helium nucleus?
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Neutron decay
Answer: a) Alpha decay

11. Which nuclear model describes the nucleus as a drop of incompressible liquid with nucleons moving freely within it?
a) Bohr model
b) Liquid drop model
c) Shell model
d) Rutherford model
Answer: b) Liquid drop model

12. Which type of radiation consists of fast-moving electrons emitted from the nucleus during radioactive decay?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: b) Beta radiation

13. What is the term for the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to undergo decay?
a) Decay rate
b) Half-life
c) Lifespan
d) Radioactive period
Answer: b) Half-life

14. What process occurs in nuclear reactors to release energy from heavy atomic nuclei?
a) Nuclear fusion
b) Nuclear fission
c) Alpha decay
d) Beta decay
Answer: b) Nuclear fission

15. What is the primary type of radiation used in medical imaging such as X-rays?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: c) Gamma radiation

Part 2: Download Nuclear Physics questions & answers for free

16. Which type of radiation has the highest penetrating power?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: c) Gamma radiation

17. What type of nuclear reaction releases a large amount of energy by combining light atomic nuclei?
a) Nuclear fission
b) Nuclear fusion
c) Alpha decay
d) Beta decay
Answer: b) Nuclear fusion

18. What is the process of determining the age of ancient materials using the decay of radioactive isotopes?
a) Radiocarbon dating
b) Radioisotope dating
c) Radiometric dating
d) Uranium dating
Answer: c) Radiometric dating

19. In a nuclear power plant, the heat generated from nuclear fission reactions is used to produce:
a) Electricity
b) Water
c) Natural gas
d) Food
Answer: a) Electricity

20. What happens to the mass of a nucleus after a nuclear reaction?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It remains the same
d) It becomes zero
Answer: c) It remains the same

21. Which nuclear process is responsible for the energy released in a hydrogen bomb?
a) Nuclear fusion
b) Nuclear fission
c) Alpha decay
d) Beta decay
Answer: a) Nuclear fusion

22. Which type of radiation consists of helium nuclei and can be stopped by a sheet of paper?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: a) Alpha radiation

23. What happens to the number of nucleons (protons + neutrons) during a nuclear reaction?
a) It increases
b) It decreases
c) It remains the same
d) It becomes zero
Answer: c) It remains the same

24. Which nuclear model describes the nucleus as composed of energy levels and subshells for nucleons?
a) Bohr model
b) Liquid drop model
c) Shell model
d) Rutherford model
Answer: c) Shell model

25. What is the process of the spontaneous release of a high-energy electron from the nucleus during radioactive decay?
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Neutron decay
Answer: b) Beta decay

26. What is the mass number of an atom with 6 protons and 8 neutrons?
a) 6
b) 8
c) 14
d) 16
Answer: c) 14

27. Which type of radiation has the lowest penetrating power?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Answer: a) Alpha radiation

28. In nuclear power plants, the chain reaction is controlled by using:
a) Neutron moderators
b) Gamma rays
c) Beta particles
d) Alpha particles
Answer: a) Neutron moderators

29. What is the product of a nuclear fusion reaction between two deuterium nuclei (heavy hydrogen)?
a) Helium-4
b) Helium-3
c) Oxygen-16
d) Uranium-238
Answer: a) Helium-4

30. What is the primary mechanism by which energy is released in nuclear fission reactions?
a) Conversion of mass to energy
b) Conversion of neutrons to protons
c) Conversion of protons to neutrons
d) Conversion of electrons to neutrinos
Answer: a) Conversion of mass to energy

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