Name: ______________________ Class: _________________ Date: _________ ID: A

PS Unit 3 Major Quiz - Nuclear Science

True/False
Indicate whether the statement is true or false.

____ 1. In fusion reactions the mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants.
____ 2. Critical mass is the amount of fissionable material required so that each fission reaction produces
approximately one more fission reaction.
____ 3. Nuclear fusion occurs on stars.
____ 4. Nuclear fission is initiated when a proton strikes a large nucleus.
____ 5. The tremendous amounts of destruction caused by nuclear weapons is the only real drawback.
____ 6. Nuclear fission releases energy, nuclear fusion does not.
____ 7. Nuclear reactions are used to produce electricty by generating steam that is used to spin a huge
magnet.

Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.

____ 8. Which subatomic particle(s) is (are) involved in nuclear reactions?

a. Electrons c. Protons and neutrons
b. Protons d. Neutrons

____ 9.
Which procoess is illustrated in the diagram above?
a. Consolidation c. Fission
b. Splicing d. Fusion
____ 10. How does the energy involved in chemical reactions compare to the energy involved in nuclear
reactions?
a. Chemical reactions involve less energy c. Chemical reactions involve more
than nuclear reactions energy than nuclear reactions
b. Chemical reactions involve the same d. There is no relationship
amount of energy as nuclaer reactions
____ 11. Which subatomic particle(s) is (are) involved in chemical reactions?
a. Electrons c. Protons and neutrons
b. Neutrons d. Protons

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____ 12.
Which process is illustrated in the diagram above?
a. Fission c. Consolidation
b. Splicing d. Fusion
____ 13. Which process occurs when more than one light nuclei (such as hydrogen) fuse, or combine, to
form a larger single nucleus (such as helium)?
a. Nuclear fission c. Consolidation
b. Nuclear fusion d. Splicing
____ 14. The process by which a neutron strikes a large atom, causing it to split and releasing a neutron, which
strikes another large atom to split and release a neutron is
a. A chain of nuclear events c. The domino effect
b. A nuclear series d. A chain reaction
____ 15. A natural substance tagged with a radioactive substance so that natural functioning of the body
system can be observed is
a. An outline c. Critical mass
b. A spike d. A tracer
____ 16. What is the process called when a heavy atom splits into two or more parts?
a. Consolidation c. Fission
b. Fusion d. Splicing

Short Answer

17. Why is radiation an effective means of destroying cancer cells?

.
18. List three of the five benefits to nuclear power reactors we discussed in class.

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 ID: A

PS Unit 3 Major Quiz - Nuclear Science

Answer Section

TRUE/FALSE

1. ANS: T PTS: 1
2. ANS: T PTS: 1
3. ANS: T PTS: 1
4. ANS: F PTS: 1
5. ANS: F PTS: 1
6. ANS: F PTS: 1
7. ANS: T PTS: 1

MULTIPLE CHOICE

8. ANS: C PTS: 1
9. ANS: C PTS: 1
10. ANS: A PTS: 1
11. ANS: A PTS: 1
12. ANS: D PTS: 1
13. ANS: B PTS: 1
14. ANS: D PTS: 1
15. ANS: D PTS: 1
16. ANS: C PTS: 1

SHORT ANSWER

17. ANS:
They divide rapidly.

PTS: 1
18. ANS:

• Tremendous amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel

• No air pollution
• Can be used anywhere
• Abundance of fuel
• Non-reliance of fossil fuel

PTS: 1