Lesson 3.8.1.4

3.8.1.4 Nuclear instability Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 8

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 3.8.1.4, Nuclear instability: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA Physics (7408), Unit 8: Nuclear physics (A-level only), written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. For heavy stable nuclei on a graph of N against Z, how does N compare to Z?

    • N equals Z
    • N is greater than Z
    • N is less than Z
    • N is zero

  2. Which decay mode typically occurs in nuclei that have too many neutrons?

    • Beta-minus decay
    • Beta-plus decay
    • Gamma emission
    • Alpha decay

  3. Which decay mode converts a proton into a neutron in proton-rich nuclei?

    • Beta-minus decay
    • Gamma emission
    • Beta-plus decay
    • Alpha decay

  4. How do mass number A and proton number Z change during alpha decay?

    • A minus 2, Z minus 4
    • A minus 4, Z minus 2
    • A minus 4, Z plus 2
    • A unchanged, Z minus 2

  5. How do mass number A and proton number Z change during beta-minus decay?

    • A plus 1, Z unchanged
    • A minus 1, Z plus 1
    • A unchanged, Z minus 1
    • A unchanged, Z plus 1

  6. What property of a nucleus is altered when it emits a gamma ray?

    • Mass number
    • Neutron number
    • Proton number
    • Nuclear energy state

  7. Which equation correctly represents the alpha decay of radium-226?

    • 226 88 Ra -> 222 86 Rn + 2 4 He
    • 226 88 Ra -> 222 88 Rn + 4 2 He
    • 226 88 Ra -> 222 86 Rn + 4 2 He
    • 226 88 Ra -> 226 86 Rn + 4 2 He

  8. What is the daughter nuclide of carbon-14 after beta-minus decay?

    • nitrogen-14
    • carbon-13
    • boron-14
    • nitrogen-13

  9. What is the daughter nuclide of sodium-22 after beta-plus decay?

    • neon-22
    • magnesium-22
    • fluorine-22
    • neon-21

  10. Which daughter nuclide results from electron capture by beryllium-7?

    • beryllium-6
    • boron-7
    • helium-7
    • lithium-7

  11. What nuclide is formed when technetium-99m undergoes gamma emission?

    • Molybdenum-99
    • Ruthenium-99
    • Technetium-99
    • Technetium-98

  12. A nucleus drops from an excited state 140 keV above its ground state. What is the energy of the gamma photon emitted?

    • 70 keV
    • 14 keV
    • 280 keV
    • 140 keV

  13. A nucleus with N = 130 and Z = 86 decays by alpha emission. What are the new values of N and Z?

    • N = 128, Z = 86
    • N = 130, Z = 84
    • N = 128, Z = 84
    • N = 126, Z = 84

  14. Which decay mode restores stability to a neutron-rich nucleus?

    • Beta-plus decay
    • Electron capture
    • Beta-minus decay
    • Alpha decay

  15. Which property must be conserved by emitting an antineutrino during beta-minus decay?

    • Charge
    • Lepton number
    • Baryon number
    • Strangeness

  16. Uranium-238 decays by alpha emission to thorium-234, which then decays by beta-minus to protactinium-234. What are the mass and proton numbers of protactinium-234?

    • A = 234, Z = 92
    • A = 230, Z = 91
    • A = 234, Z = 91
    • A = 234, Z = 90

  17. How does a nucleus in an excited state release its excess energy?

    • Gamma ray emission
    • Beta particle emission
    • Neutron emission
    • Alpha particle emission

  18. Which force causes heavy stable nuclei to require more neutrons than protons?

    • Electrostatic repulsion
    • Weak nuclear force
    • Gravitational force
    • Strong nuclear force

  19. Uranium-238 undergoes two successive alpha decays. What is the nuclide produced?

    • radon-230
    • uranium-230
    • thorium-230
    • radium-230

  20. Sodium-22 decays by beta-plus and then by alpha. What are the final mass and proton numbers?

    • A = 18, Z = 8
    • A = 18, Z = 9
    • A = 18, Z = 10
    • A = 22, Z = 9

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