Atomic Structure questions

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Atomic Structure question collection

Review Atomic Structure questions for Physics, with correct answers shown and coverage across structure of atoms and nuclei; isotopes and radiation types; half-life.

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Question 1

Which particles make up the nucleus of an atom?
  1. Protons and neutrons
  2. Electrons and protons
  3. Neutrons and electrons
  4. Positrons and photons

Question 2

What does the atomic number Z represent?
  1. The number of protons in the nucleus
  2. The total number of neutrons and electrons
  3. The number of isotopes
  4. The number of energy levels

Question 3

How do you find the number of neutrons for \(^{35}_{17}\text{Cl}\)?
  1. Subtract number of protons from the mass number: \(35 - 17 = 18\)
  2. Add the numbers to give \(52\)
  3. Use only the atomic number \(17\)
  4. Divide \(35\) by \(17\)

Question 4

Which statement best describes isotopes?
  1. Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons
  2. Atoms with identical mass and proton counts
  3. Particles emitted during decay
  4. Molecules joined by ionic bonds

Question 5

Which type of radiation is a helium nucleus and carries \(+2\) charge?
  1. Alpha
  2. Beta
  3. Gamma
  4. X-ray

Question 6

Beta-minus radiation consists of which particles?
  1. High-speed electrons
  2. Protons
  3. Neutrons
  4. Alpha particles

Question 7

Which radiation is a high-energy photon and has no charge?
  1. Gamma
  2. Alpha
  3. Beta
  4. Neutron

Question 8

Place the types of radiation in order of increasing penetration through materials.
  1. Alpha, beta, gamma
  2. Gamma, beta, alpha
  3. Beta, alpha, gamma
  4. Alpha, gamma, beta

Question 9

Which radiation is most likely to be stopped by a sheet of paper?
  1. Alpha
  2. Gamma
  3. Beta
  4. Neutron

Question 10

Write the nuclear equation for the beta-minus decay of \(^{14}_6\text{C}\).
  1. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{14}_7\mathrm{N} + ^{0}_{-1}\beta\)
  2. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{13}_6\mathrm{C} + ^{1}_0\text{n}\)
  3. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{14}_5\mathrm{B} + ^{1}_0\text{n}\)
  4. \(^{14}_6\mathrm{C} \to ^{13}_5\mathrm{B} + ^{0}_{-1}\beta\)

Question 11

What term describes the time for half of a radioactive sample to decay?
  1. Half-life
  2. Full life
  3. Decay constant
  4. Activity

Question 12

A sample has activity \(200\,\mathrm{Bq}\) and a half-life of \(2\,\mathrm{min}\). What is its activity after \(2\,\mathrm{min}\)?
  1. \(100\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  2. \(0\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  3. \(200\,\mathrm{Bq}\)
  4. \(400\,\mathrm{Bq}\)

Question 13

Which application uses gamma radiation for sterilising medical equipment?
  1. Irradiation kills microbes without heating
  2. Alpha particles remove dirt
  3. Beta particles cool the equipment
  4. Neutrons magnetise tools

Question 14

Why are radioisotopes used as tracers?
  1. They emit radiation that can be detected as they move through a system
  2. They permanently change chemical properties
  3. They block electricity flow
  4. They explode on contact with air

Question 15

Which radiation poses the greatest risk to internal organs if inhaled?
  1. Alpha, because it deposits energy over a short range
  2. Gamma, because it is stopped quickly
  3. Visible light, because it is intense
  4. Microwaves, because they are cold

Question 16

Background radiation comes from which source?
  1. Cosmic rays and natural isotopes
  2. Beta particles generated in wires
  3. Laser beams in laboratories
  4. Static electricity from shoes

Question 17

Which process splits a heavy nucleus into two smaller ones releasing energy?
  1. Fission
  2. Fusion
  3. Alpha decay
  4. Ionisation

Question 18

Why does fusion power stars?
  1. It combines light nuclei into heavier ones, releasing huge energy
  2. It splits a heavy nucleus into two
  3. It creates alpha particles from electrons
  4. It converts mass directly into sound

Question 19

Why do isotopes have the same chemical behaviour?
  1. They have the same number of electrons
  2. They have the same mass number
  3. They emit the same radiation
  4. They contain the same number of neutrons

Question 20

Which equation relating energy and mass in a nucleus explains why fusion releases energy?
  1. \(E = mc^2\)
  2. \(E = m + c^2\)
  3. \(E = mc^2 / 2\)
  4. \(E = mc\)

Question 21

Which part of atom is nearly empty space?
  1. Electron cloud
  2. Nucleus
  3. Neutron
  4. Proton

Question 22

What happens when alpha radiation hits a piece of foil?
  1. Most pass through but some are deflected
  2. All are absorbed
  3. They slow to a stop instantly
  4. They turn into beta

Question 23

Which detection method records radiation counts per second?
  1. Geiger-Muller tube
  2. Voltmeter
  3. Spectrometer
  4. Barometer

Question 24

How can ionising radiation damage cells?
  1. By breaking chemical bonds and forming ions
  2. By cooling them
  3. By making them heavier
  4. By changing colour

Question 25

Why is lead used as shielding?
  1. It absorbs gamma rays effectively
  2. It emits more radiation
  3. It conducts electricity
  4. It glows

Question 26

Which particles determine an element's atomic number?
  1. Protons
  2. Neutrons
  3. Electrons
  4. All nucleons together

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Review Atomic Structure questions for Physics, with correct answers shown and coverage across structure of atoms and nuclei; isotopes and radiation types; half-life.

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