what are the 3 types of radiation in nuclear chemistry
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HESI A2

HESI A2 Chemistry

1. What are the 3 types of radiation in nuclear chemistry?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Alpha, Beta, Gamma. In nuclear chemistry, the 3 types of radiation are alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Alpha radiation consists of helium nuclei, beta radiation involves electrons or positrons, and gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation of high frequency. Choice A is incorrect because 'Delta' is not a type of radiation in nuclear chemistry. Choice C is incorrect as it does not list alpha radiation. Choice D is incorrect as it lists the types in the wrong order and includes 'Delta' instead of alpha radiation.

2. If fifty-six kilograms of a radioactive substance has a half-life of 12 days, how many days will it take the substance to decay naturally to only 7 kilograms?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To decay from 56 kg to 7 kg, the substance needs to go through 3 half-lives (56 kg ÷ 2 ÷ 2 ÷ 2 = 7 kg). Since each half-life is 12 days, the total time required is 12 days per half-life x 3 half-lives = 36 days. Choice A is incorrect because it does not consider the concept of half-lives. Choice B is incorrect because it represents the duration of a single half-life, not the total time required for the decay. Choice D is incorrect as it does not account for the multiple half-lives needed for the substance to decay from 56 kg to 7 kg.

3. How many pairs of electrons are shared between two atoms in a single bond?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a single bond, two atoms share one pair of electrons. This shared pair of electrons is what holds the atoms together in the bond. Therefore, the correct answer is A: 1. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not represent the number of electron pairs shared in a single bond.

4. Which type of change occurs when no change is made to the chemical composition of a substance?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A physical change refers to alterations in the state of matter without modifying the chemical composition of the substance. Examples of physical changes include changes in state (solid, liquid, gas), shape, size, or phase. In a physical change, the substance may look different or behave differently, but its chemical structure remains the same. On the other hand, chemical changes involve the breaking and forming of chemical bonds, resulting in the creation of entirely new substances with different chemical properties. Nuclear changes involve alterations in the nucleus of an atom, such as radioactive decay. Mechanical changes refer to changes in the position or motion of an object caused by applied forces, like pushing, pulling, or twisting.

5. Radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine. What kind of half-life would a medical isotope probably have?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Medical isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment need to have a relatively short half-life to minimize radiation exposure to patients. If the half-life were too long (such as many years) or even years-long, the radiation would persist for too long and could be harmful to the patient. Seconds-long half-lives would not provide enough time for the isotope to be effective. Days-long half-lives strike a balance between providing enough time for the isotope to be used effectively and minimizing radiation exposure.

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