Choose the letter that best answers the question or completes the statement.

  1. Which equation correctly shows beta decay?

    1. Pb82210Tl81209+e-10+γ

    2. Pb82210Bi83209+e-10+γ

    3. Pb82210Tl83210+e-10+γ

    4. Pb82210Bi83210+γ

    5. Pb82210Bi83210+e-10+γ

  2. The half-life of radon-222 is 3.8 days. If a sample currently has 3.1 grams of radon-222, how much radon-222 did this sample have 15.2 days ago?

    1. 12.4 grams

    2. 47.1 grams

    3. 49.6 grams

    4. 57.8 grams

    5. 92.7 grams

  3. Radioactive decay of nuclei often involves several decays before a stable nucleus is formed. This is called a decay chain. What stable isotope is formed when radon-222 undergoes a decay chain of four alpha decays followed by four beta decays?

    1. tungsten-206

    2. platinum-206

    3. lead-206

    4. tungsten-214

    5. lead-214

  4. Which nucleus balances the following nuclear equation for the fission of uranium-235?

    U92235+n01Sr3890+XZA+2n01+γ

    1. Xe54146

    2. Te52146

    3. Te52144

    4. Xe54144

    5. Sn50142

  5. Uranium-238 is less stable than oxygen-16. What accounts for this difference?

    1. Uranium is a solid, while oxygen is a gas.

    2. Unlike oxygen-16, uranium-238 has a nucleus in which repulsive electric forces surpass the strong nuclear forces.

    3. Oxygen-16 has fewer electrons than uranium-238.

    4. Uranium-238 has fewer neutrons than oxygen-16.

    5. Unlike uranium-238, oxygen-16 has a nucleus in which the strong nuclear forces are overcome by repulsive electric forces.

  6. The primary source of energy in stars is the fusion of hydrogen into helium. However, another reaction is believed to occur simultaneously. It is called the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen (CNO) cycle. In the diagram below, the symbol represents a positron. A positron is a particle that has the same mass as an electron but a charge of 1+.

    Diagram of elements as part of a rectangular shape. It depicts the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle.

    Which equation describes the CNO cycle?

    1. H11He24+e+10

    2. 4H11He24+2e+10

    3. H12+H13He24+n01

    4. C612C612+He24

    5. C612+H11C612+He24


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Table of Contents

Physical Science CHAPTER 1 Science Skills CHAPTER 2 Properties of Matter CHAPTER 3 States of Matter CHAPTER 4 Atomic Structure CHAPTER 5 The Periodic Table CHAPTER 6 Chemical Bonds CHAPTER 7 Chemical Reactions CHAPTER 8 Solutions, Acids, and Bases CHAPTER 9 Carbon Chemistry CHAPTER 10 Nuclear Chemistry CHAPTER 11 Motion CHAPTER 12 Forces and Motion CHAPTER 13 Forces in Fluids CHAPTER 14 Work, Power, and Machines CHAPTER 15 Energy CHAPTER 16 Thermal Energy and Heat CHAPTER 17 Mechanical Waves and Sound CHAPTER 18 The Electromagnetic Spectrum and Light CHAPTER 19 Optics CHAPTER 20 Electricity CHAPTER 21 Magnetism CHAPTER 22 Earth's Interior CHAPTER 23 Earth's Surface CHAPTER 24 Weather and Climate CHAPTER 25 The Solar System CHAPTER 26 Exploring the Universe Skills and Reference Handbook