Lesson 11.1.2

11.1.2 Nuclear fusion and fission Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Physics, Unit 11

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 11.1.2, Nuclear fusion and fission: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Physics (9PH0), Unit 11: Nuclear Radiation, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What process occurs when a heavy nucleus splits into two smaller daughter nuclei?

    • Nuclear fusion
    • Nuclear fission
    • Alpha decay
    • Beta decay

  2. What process occurs when two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus?

    • Nuclear fusion
    • Neutron capture
    • Nuclear fission
    • Gamma decay

  3. Why do nuclear fusion reactions require extremely high temperatures?

    • Increase strong force
    • Overcome electrostatic repulsion
    • Stop radioactive decay
    • Decrease plasma density

  4. Why is high plasma density required to sustain a nuclear fusion reaction?

    • Increase nucleon mass
    • Prevent alpha decay
    • Ensure frequent collisions
    • Reduce plasma temperature

  5. Which fuel mixture is most commonly used in experimental nuclear fusion reactors?

    • Uranium and plutonium
    • Deuterium and tritium
    • Hydrogen and helium
    • Helium and lithium

  6. Which particle is absorbed by a uranium-235 nucleus to induce nuclear fission?

    • Thermal neutron
    • Beta particle
    • Gamma photon
    • Alpha particle

  7. About 200 MeV is released per fission of uranium-235. How much energy is released by complete fission of 1.0 kg of uranium-235? Use 1 MeV = 1.6 x 10^-13 J.

    • about 8.2 x 10^10 J
    • about 8.2 x 10^13 J
    • about 1.6 x 10^16 J
    • about 2.0 x 10^12 J

  8. In deuterium-tritium fusion, which released particle carries most of the kinetic energy?

    • Neutron
    • Positron
    • Proton
    • Helium-4 nucleus

  9. The binding energy per nucleon of iron-56 is about 8.8 MeV and of uranium-235 about 7.6 MeV. What energy per nucleon is released when uranium splits into nuclei near iron?

    • about 8.8 MeV
    • about 0.4 MeV
    • about 1.2 MeV
    • about 7.6 MeV

  10. Why does the fusion of light nuclei release energy?

    • Mass number decreases
    • Binding energy decreases
    • Proton number decreases
    • Binding energy increases

  11. A fission reactor produces 1.0 GW of electrical power at 33% efficiency. What is its thermal power?

    • 1.3 GW
    • 0.33 GW
    • 10 GW
    • 3.0 GW

  12. Why are the daughter nuclei produced by nuclear fission radioactive?

    • They are proton-rich
    • They are neutron-rich
    • They have zero mass
    • They are neutral atoms

  13. Why must a fusion plasma achieve a minimum confinement time?

    • Increase atomic weight
    • Achieve net energy gain
    • Prevent magnetic collapse
    • Cool the reactor core

  14. What force must nuclei overcome to undergo nuclear fusion?

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

  15. A fusion reaction converts a small mass into energy. Which expression gives the energy from a mass defect Δ m?

    • E = Δ m / c^2
    • E = Δ m c
    • E = Δ m c^3
    • E = Δ m c^2

  16. What type of particle triggers nuclear fission in a reactor?

    • Electron
    • Neutron
    • Alpha particle
    • Proton

  17. Which nuclei are the reactants in deuterium-tritium fusion?

    • Carbon-12 and oxygen-16
    • Deuterium (2/1 H) and tritium (3/1 H)
    • Uranium-235 and a neutron
    • Two helium-4 nuclei

  18. What is the main function of control rods in a nuclear reactor?

    • Shield gamma rays
    • Absorb neutrons
    • Slow down neutrons
    • Cool the reactor

  19. What process is sustained by the neutrons released during nuclear fission?

    • Nuclear fusion
    • Alpha decay
    • Chain reaction
    • Positron emission

  20. Fission of a heavy nucleus produces daughter nuclei with what binding energy per nucleon?

    • Zero
    • Higher
    • Lower
    • Unchanged

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