Lesson 4.4.2.2

4.4.2.2 Nuclear equations Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 4

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.4.2.2, Nuclear equations: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 4: Atomic structure, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What are nuclear equations used to represent?

    • Wave refraction
    • Radioactive decay
    • Chemical reactions
    • Thermal conduction

  2. When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, its mass number:

    • Decreases by 4
    • Decreases by 1
    • Stays the same
    • Increases by 4

  3. When a nucleus emits an alpha particle, its atomic number:

    • Stays the same
    • Decreases by 2
    • Increases by 2
    • Decreases by 1

  4. When a nucleus emits a beta particle, its mass number:

    • Decreases by 1
    • Decreases by 4
    • Increases by 1
    • Stays the same

  5. When a nucleus emits a beta particle, the charge of the nucleus:

    • Becomes zero
    • Decreases
    • Increases
    • Stays the same

  6. Emitting a gamma ray from a nucleus changes what?

    • Neither mass nor charge
    • Both mass and charge
    • Mass only
    • Charge only

  7. Which symbol represents an alpha particle in a nuclear equation?

    • ⁰₋₁β
    • ¹₀n
    • ⁰₀γ
    • ⁴₂α

  8. Which symbol represents a beta particle in a nuclear equation?

    • ⁰₀γ
    • ⁴₂α
    • ⁰₋₁β
    • ¹₀n

  9. Uranium-238 (²³⁸₉₂U) undergoes alpha decay. What are the mass number and atomic number of the new nucleus?

    • 234 and 94
    • 236 and 90
    • 240 and 92
    • 234 and 90

  10. Thorium-234 (²³⁴₉₀Th) undergoes beta decay. What are the mass number and atomic number of the new nucleus?

    • 234 and 91
    • 238 and 91
    • 234 and 89
    • 230 and 90

  11. Radium-226 (²²⁶₈₈Ra) undergoes alpha decay. What is the mass number of the daughter nucleus?

    • 222
    • 224
    • 230
    • 228

  12. Radon-222 (²²²₈₆Rn) undergoes alpha decay. What is the atomic number of the daughter nucleus?

    • 82
    • 84
    • 88
    • 86

  13. What must the total mass numbers do on each side of a nuclear equation?

    • Always decrease
    • Balance equally
    • Become zero
    • Always increase

  14. What must be balanced in a nuclear decay equation?

    • Speed and momentum
    • Neutrons and electrons
    • Energy and activity
    • Atomic and mass numbers

  15. Which decay changes the atomic number by +1 while keeping the mass number the same?

    • Gamma decay
    • Fission
    • Alpha decay
    • Beta decay

  16. A nucleus with mass number 238 and atomic number 92 undergoes alpha decay and then beta decay. What are the final mass number and atomic number?

    • 234 and 90
    • 238 and 93
    • 234 and 91
    • 230 and 90

  17. A nucleus with mass number 60 and atomic number 27 emits a gamma ray. What are the mass number and atomic number of the new nucleus?

    • 59 and 27
    • 60 and 28
    • 56 and 25
    • 60 and 27

  18. A nucleus with mass number 210 and atomic number 84 emits an alpha particle. What are the mass number and atomic number of the daughter nucleus?

    • 208 and 82
    • 206 and 86
    • 206 and 82
    • 212 and 84

  19. What are the mass and atomic numbers in an alpha particle symbol?

    • Mass 2 and atomic 2
    • Mass 4 and atomic 2
    • Mass 2 and atomic 1
    • Mass 4 and atomic 1

  20. What is the limit when writing nuclear decay equations at GCSE?

    • Naming daughter elements
    • Calculating half-life
    • Measuring count-rate
    • Balancing numbers

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