Understand the core principles of atomic and nuclear physics with these comprehensive MCQs. Topics include atomic structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactive decay. Trending keywords like “nuclear physics MCQs for exams” and “atomic structure quiz for students” make it a must-have for learners.
What is the smallest particle of an element that retains its chemical properties?
a) Proton
b) Electron
c) Neutron
d) Nucleus
The nucleus of an atom is composed of:
a) Protons and electrons
b) Protons and neutrons
c) Electrons and neutrons
d) Protons, electrons, and neutrons
Which of the following particles has a positive charge?
a) Proton
b) Electron
c) Neutron
d) Photon
What is the charge of an electron?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
The atomic number of an element represents the number of:
a) Protons in the nucleus
b) Electrons in the nucleus
c) Neutrons in the nucleus
d) Nucleons in the nucleus
What is the total number of electrons in a neutral atom of carbon (C)?
a) 4
b) 6
c) 12
d) 14
The mass number of an atom is equal to the total number of:
a) Protons and electrons
b) Protons and neutrons
c) Electrons and neutrons
d) Protons, electrons, and neutrons
Isotopes of an element have the same number of:
a) Protons and electrons
b) Protons and neutrons
c) Electrons and neutrons
d) Protons, electrons, and neutrons
Which of the following statements about alpha particles is true?
a) They are positively charged and heavy.
b) They are negatively charged and light.
c) They are neutral and light.
d) They are neutral and heavy.
What happens to an atom when it gains or loses electrons?
a) It becomes a different element.
b) It becomes an isotope.
c) It becomes a positive ion (cation) or negative ion (anion).
d) It becomes radioactive.
The process of unstable atomic nuclei releasing energy in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves is called:
a) Fission
b) Fusion
c) Radioactivity
d) Transmutation
What type of radiation consists of high-energy photons?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Which of the following particles is the most penetrating and can travel through several centimeters of lead?
a) Alpha particles
b) Beta particles
c) Gamma rays
d) Neutrons
The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for:
a) Half of the substance to decay into another element
b) Half of the substance to decay into a stable isotope
c) Half of the substance to decay into a different radioactive isotope
d) The entire substance to decay completely
Which type of nuclear reaction involves the combining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus?
a) Fission
b) Fusion
c) Radioactivity
d) Transmutation
The process of splitting a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei is called:
a) Fission
b) Fusion
c) Radioactivity
d) Transmutation
The energy produced in the sun is a result of which process?
a) Fission
b) Fusion
c) Radioactivity
d) Transmutation
Which of the following particles is electrically neutral?
a) Alpha particle
b) Beta particle
c) Gamma ray
d) Proton
The process of converting one element into another by bombarding it with high-energy particles is known as:
a) Fission
b) Fusion
c) Radioactivity
d) Transmutation
Which type of radiation consists of high-speed electrons?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
What is the charge of a neutron?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Which of the following particles has the least mass?
a) Proton
b) Electron
c) Neutron
d) Photon
Which type of radiation can be stopped by a sheet of paper or clothing?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
Which of the following particles has the largest mass?
a) Proton
b) Electron
c) Neutron
d) Photon
The phenomenon of radioactivity was discovered by:
a) James Chadwick
b) Marie Curie
c) Ernest Rutherford
d) Isaac Newton
Which of the following particles is electrically positively charged?
a) Alpha particle
b) Beta particle
c) Gamma ray
d) Neutron
The process of a nucleus capturing an electron and merging it with a proton to form a neutron is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
What is the charge of a beta particle?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Which of the following statements about gamma rays is true?
a) They are positively charged and heavy.
b) They are negatively charged and light.
c) They are neutral and light.
d) They are neutral and heavy.
The process of a nucleus emitting an alpha particle to become a different element is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the activity of a radioactive substance is:
a) Joule
b) Newton
c) Curie
d) Volt
Which of the following particles has the least penetrating power?
a) Alpha particles
b) Beta particles
c) Gamma rays
d) Neutrons
Which type of radiation can be stopped by a few centimeters of wood or a sheet of aluminum?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
The process of a nucleus emitting a beta particle to become a different element is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the energy of radiation absorbed by matter is the:
a) Joule
b) Gray
c) Sievert
d) Becquerel
Which type of radiation consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
What is the charge of a gamma ray?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
The process of a nucleus emitting a gamma ray photon to become a lower-energy state is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the biological effects of radiation is the:
a) Joule
b) Gray
c) Sievert
d) Becquerel
Which of the following statements about radioactive decay is true?
a) It can be accelerated or slowed down by changing external conditions.
b) It is affected by magnetic fields.
c) It always follows a predictable pattern.
d) It cannot be measured or quantified.
The process of a nucleus capturing an electron and merging it with a proton to form a neutron is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
What is the charge of a beta particle?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Which of the following statements about gamma rays is true?
a) They are positively charged and heavy.
b) They are negatively charged and light.
c) They are neutral and light.
d) They are neutral and heavy.
The process of a nucleus emitting an alpha particle to become a different element is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the activity of a radioactive substance is:
a) Joule
b) Newton
c) Curie
d) Volt
Which of the following particles has the least penetrating power?
a) Alpha particles
b) Beta particles
c) Gamma rays
d) Neutrons
Which type of radiation can be stopped by a few centimeters of wood or a sheet of aluminum?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
The process of a nucleus emitting a beta particle to become a different element is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the energy of radiation absorbed by matter is the:
a) Joule
b) Gray
c) Sievert
d) Becquerel
Which type of radiation consists of two protons and two neutrons bound together?
a) Alpha radiation
b) Beta radiation
c) Gamma radiation
d) Neutron radiation
What is the charge of a gamma ray?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
The process of a nucleus emitting a gamma ray photon to become a lower-energy state is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the biological effects of radiation is the:
a) Joule
b) Gray
c) Sievert
d) Becquerel
Which of the following statements about radioactive decay is true?
a) It can be accelerated or slowed down by changing external conditions.
b) It is affected by magnetic fields.
c) It always follows a predictable pattern.
d) It cannot be measured or quantified.
The process of a nucleus capturing an electron and merging it with a proton to form a neutron is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
What is the charge of a beta particle?
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral
d) Variable
Which of the following statements about gamma rays is true?
a) They are positively charged and heavy.
b) They are negatively charged and light.
c) They are neutral and light.
d) They are neutral and heavy.
The process of a nucleus emitting an alpha particle to become a different element is called:
a) Alpha decay
b) Beta decay
c) Gamma decay
d) Electron capture
The unit used to measure the activity of a radioactive substance is:
a) Joule
b) Newton
c) Curie
d) Volt
Which of the following particles has the least penetrating power?
a) Alpha particles
b) Beta particles
c) Gamma rays
d) Neutrons
If you are interested to enhance your knowledge regarding Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer please click on the link of each category, you will be redirected to dedicated website for each category.