Questions on Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fission – Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What is nuclear fission?
A) The joining of two nuclei to form a larger nucleus
B) The splitting of a nucleus into smaller nuclei
C) The decay of neutrons into protons
D) The absorption of radiation by an atom
E) The process of electron capture
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2. Which of the following is typically required to initiate nuclear fission?
A) Proton beam
B) Alpha particle
C) Gamma ray
D) Neutron
E) Electron
3. A common fuel used in nuclear fission reactions in power plants is:
A) Carbon-14
B) Thorium-230
C) Uranium-235
D) Plutonium-239
E) Hydrogen-3
4. What is released during nuclear fission?
A) Only light
B) Only heat
C) Neutrons and energy
D) Electrons and protons
E) Only radioactive isotopes
5. What is the term for the chain of reactions in which fission products initiate further fission reactions?
A) Series reaction
B) Cascade decay
C) Chain reaction
D) Fission loop
E) Radioactive decay
6. Which of the following best describes a self-sustaining fission reaction?
A) One that produces no neutrons
B) One that requires constant neutron input
C) One in which released neutrons cause more fission
D) One that occurs only at high temperature
E) One with no radioactive waste
7. What type of energy is primarily produced by nuclear fission?
A) Mechanical
B) Chemical
C) Thermal
D) Solar
E) Acoustic
8. In a nuclear reactor, what slows down fast neutrons to sustain the fission chain reaction?
A) Coolant
B) Control rods
C) Reflector
D) Moderator
E) Shielding
9. Which of the following acts as a moderator in many nuclear reactors?
A) Lead
B) Heavy water
C) Uranium
D) Carbon dioxide
E) Oxygen
10. Control rods in a nuclear reactor are used to:
A) Speed up the reaction
B) Provide shielding
C) Absorb excess neutrons
D) Cool the reactor
E) Generate electricity directly
11. What happens to the mass during a nuclear fission reaction?
A) It increases
B) It stays the same
C) It is completely lost
D) A small amount is converted to energy
E) It turns into light
12. Which famous equation explains the conversion of mass to energy in fission?
A) F = ma
B) E = mc²
C) V = IR
D) pV = nRT
E) a² + b² = c²
13. What is a major advantage of nuclear fission for power generation?
A) It produces oxygen
B) It is non-radioactive
C) It produces large amounts of energy
D) It is easy to handle fuel
E) It uses unlimited fuel
14. A major concern about nuclear fission is:
A) Production of clean energy
B) High cost of operation
C) Air pollution
D) Radioactive waste
E) Excessive carbon dioxide emissions
15. In fission of uranium-235, what is the role of the neutron?
A) To stop the reaction
B) To balance the equation
C) To initiate the reaction
D) To cool the core
E) To absorb energy
16. Which of the following is a fission product?
A) Lead
B) Helium
C) Barium
D) Oxygen
E) Lithium
17. Which term describes the minimum amount of fissile material needed to maintain a chain reaction?
A) Critical mass
B) Chain energy
C) Fission limit
D) Nuclear threshold
E) Breakpoint
18. What is the main function of the coolant in a nuclear reactor?
A) Absorb neutrons
B) Absorb radiation
C) Transfer heat
D) Slow down neutrons
E) Increase reactivity
19. In nuclear fission, what type of nuclear reaction occurs?
A) Exothermic
B) Endothermic
C) Isothermal
D) Photochemical
E) Electrolytic
20. Which of the following was the first nuclear reactor to generate electricity?
A) Chernobyl
B) Fukushima
C) Fermi 1
D) Chicago Pile-1
E) Three Mile Island
Answer Key with Extended Explanations
1. B – Nuclear fission is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei.
2. D – Neutrons are used to initiate fission by colliding with heavy nuclei.
3. C – Uranium-235 is a common fuel in nuclear reactors.
4. C – Fission releases energy and neutrons, which can cause more fission.
5. C – A chain reaction is a sequence where fission reactions cause more reactions.
6. C – A self-sustaining reaction releases enough neutrons to continue the process.
7. C – The primary energy output is thermal (heat), used to generate electricity.
8. D – Moderators slow down neutrons to make fission more likely in U-235.
9. B – Heavy water (D₂O) is commonly used as a moderator.
10. C – Control rods absorb excess neutrons, regulating the fission rate.
11. D – A small amount of mass is converted to energy according to E = mc².
12. B – Einstein’s equation E = mc² explains mass-energy conversion.
13. C – Fission yields a high energy output from a small amount of fuel.
14. D – A drawback is the radioactive waste that needs careful disposal.
15. C – A neutron initiates the fission by colliding with a fissile nucleus.
16. C – Barium is one of the typical fission products.
17. A – Critical mass is the minimum mass needed to maintain a chain reaction.
18. C – Coolants remove heat from the reactor core to prevent overheating.
19. A – Fission is exothermic—it releases energy.
20. D – Chicago Pile-1 was the first artificial nuclear reactor to produce energy.
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