Science, Tech, Math › Science Radioactivity Science Quiz See How Much You Know About Radioactivity Take a quiz to see how much you know about radioactivity and alpha, beta, and gamma radioactive decay. Caspar Benson / Getty Images Science Chemistry Physical Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 08, 2017 1. When unstable nuclei undergo radioactive decay, they emit three types of radioactivity. Which is not one of them? alpha beta gamma delta Correct Wrong Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are real. Delta radiation is only real if you believe Star Trek is fact rather than fiction. 2. Radioactivity is spontaneous and random. true false Correct Wrong Radioactivity just happens. The reason any prediction about half-life and radiation dose can be made is because the sample size is sufficiently large. 3. Which type of radioactive decay doesn't change the atomic number? alpha beta gamma All forms of radioactive decay affect the atomic number. Correct Wrong Gamma radiation consists of high energy photons. The loss or gain of neutrons or protons isn't a factor. You need to change the number of protons to change an atom's atomic number. Changing either the number of protons or neutrons affects the atomic mass. 4. Whether or not a nuclear fission reaction becomes self-sustaining depends on the release of: energy protons neutrons electrons Correct Wrong Actually, a nuclear chain reaction depends not only on the number of neutrons emitted from a source, but also on how tightly packed the material is. 5. Particles that are helium nuclei are called: alpha particles beta particles gamma particles There are no particles that are helium nuclei. Correct Wrong An alpha particle is a helium nucleus, which is the He2+ ion. Because alpha particles are relatively large and also ionized, they don't tend to travel very far before becoming neutralized or stopped. Usually, all you need is a sheet of paper or intact skin for protection. 6. What is it called when two atomic nuclei are combined? nuclear fission nuclear fusion nuclear decay chain reaction Correct Wrong Combining atomic nuclei to make a larger atom is called fusion. Splitting an atom is called fission. 7. Quick electron emissions are called: alpha decay beta decay gamma decay radioactive half-life Correct Wrong Radioactive decay that emits energetic electrons is called beta decay. Beta decay comes in two varieties. β- decay involves normal, negatively-charged electrons , while β+ decay involves positively-charged electrons or positrons. The energetic electrons or positrons are called beta particles in this context. 8. Radioactivity that takes the form of high energy electromagnetic waves would be: alpha beta gamma zeta Correct Wrong "High energy electromagnetic waves" means light or photons. This is a hallmark of gamma radiation. 9. Isotopes of an element have different numbers of: protons neutrons electrons Correct Wrong Isotopes of an element contain different numbers of neutrons from each other, but the same number of protons. 10. What form of radioactive decay reduces the atomic number or number of protons by 2? alpha decay beta decay gamma decay None of the above. Correct Wrong The proton number is reduced by 2 in alpha decay because a helium nucleus is ejected. The atomic number (number of protons) of helium is 2. Radioactivity Science Quiz You got: % Correct. Nuclear Bombed the Radioactivity Quiz Markus von Luecken / Getty Images Nice try! You missed a lot of questions, but you completed the quiz, so you should understand more about the basics of what radioactivity is and how the different types of radioactive decay work. If you're uncertain about any particular aspects, now would be a good time to review the general concepts. From here, you can learn about foods that are naturally radioactive. Ready to take another quiz? See if you can separate science facts from science fiction. Share Your Results Radioactivity Science Quiz You got: % Correct. Glowing Marks for Radioactivity Knowledge Jutta Kuss / Getty Images Great job! You knew a lot about the basics of how radioactivity and nuclear decay work. If you feel a bit shaky about some of the concepts, you can review how radioactivity works and why isotopes undergo radioactive decay. From here, gain a practical understanding of common radioactive materials you might encounter in daily life. Would you like to try another quiz? See how much weird science trivia you know. Share Your Results