Content Benchmark P.12.C.3
Students know nuclear reactions convert a relatively small amount of material into a large
amount of energy.
1st Item Specification: Distinguish between fission and fusion, and provide examples of
each.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Nuclear fusion reactions
A. involve an atoms’ electrons reacting, transforming large amounts of energy.
B. occur commonly on Earth using large amounts of energy to warm the Earth’s core.
C. cause large atoms to divide into smaller atoms releasing large amounts of
energy.
D. cause smaller atoms to combine into larger atoms releasing large amounts of
energy.
2. Nuclear fusion reactions
A. are responsible for the formation of most elements.
B. are commonly used in nuclear power plants.
C. are used in Russian-style nuclear reactors.
D. occur when electrons combine with neutrons.
3. Nuclear fission reactions
A. are responsible for the formation of most elements.
B. are commonly used in nuclear power plants.
C. are the reactions that power the stars.
D. occur when neutrons decay into electrons and protons.
4. Nuclear fission was first developed for
A. medicinal purposes.
B. to replace fossil fuels.
C. military purposes.
D. as a replacement for steam engines.
5. When the uranium nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, what type of reaction occurs?
A. Fission
B. Fragmentation
C. Fusion
D. Fermentation
6. In the Sun, nuclear fusion causes hydrogen nuclei to fuse and form
A. iron.
B. potassium.
C. uranium.
D. helium.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
7. The following diagram shows uranium-235 reacting forming barium, krypton, more
neutrons, and also releasing energy. Use the diagram to answer the following question.
This reaction represents nuclear
A. fission.
B. fusion.
C. transmutation.
D. decay.
8. Use the diagram below to answer the following question.
(From http://www.chemcool.com/regents/nuclearchemistry/aim4.htm)
Which of the following best describes the reaction?
A. Nuclear decay
B. Nuclear fusion
C. Nuclear fission
D. Translocation
9. Nuclear fusion differs from nuclear fission because during nuclear fusion
A. energy does not change during fusion reactions.
B. smaller nuclei are combined into a larger nucleus.
C. larger nuclei are combined into one nucleus.
D. large nuclei are split into smaller nuclei.
2nd Item Specification: Know that a large amount of energy is produced from a relatively
small amount of material in a nuclear reaction.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
10. Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions cause
A. atomic nuclei to change.
B. electrons to release large amounts of energy.
C. protons and electrons to fuse.
D. neutrons and electrons to fuse.
11. In nuclear reactions, some mass is converted into
A. protons.
B. electrons.
C. matter.
D. energy.
12. When nuclear reactions are compared with ordinary chemical reactions, one MAJOR
difference is
A. the amount of energy released in nuclear reactions.
B. the amount of matter absorbed in nuclear reactions.
C. the loss of energy in chemical reactions.
D. the gain of energy in chemical reactions.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
13. Currently, commercial nuclear power plants in the United States require a radioactive isotope
that can
A. fission and convert energy to matter.
B. fission and release a large amount of energy.
C. fuse and release a large amount of energy.
D. fuse and convert energy to matter.
14. Which of the following types of reactions will release the MOST energy per kilogram of
reactant?
A. Synthesis reactions
B. Combustion processions
C. Nuclear fusion
D. Dynamite reactions
15. In terms of mass-energy conversion, which of the following releases the greatest amount of
energy per kilogram of reactant?
A. Fusion
B. Fission
C. Combustion
D. Nitrogylcerine
16. One of the major drawbacks to harnessing nuclear fusion for practical purposes is the
A. amount of isotope needed to start the reaction.
B. release of neutrons to the environment.
C. high temperatures needed to start the reaction.
D. low pressure needed to contain the reaction.
17. Which of the following releases the most energy per kilogram of reactant?
A. Bituminous coal
B. Uranium-235
C. Natural gas
D. Petroleum
18. Nuclear fusion is difficult to harness because
A. hydrogen is very expensive to obtain in pure form.
B. low starting temperatures and large containment facilities.
C. high starting temperatures and containment problems.
D. heavy nuclei are needed at low temperatures.
Content Benchmark P.12.C.3
Students know nuclear reactions convert a relatively small amount of material into a large
amount of energy.
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. D, DOK Level 1
2. A, DOK Level 1
3. B, DOK Level 1
4. C, DOK Level 1
5. A, DOK Level 1
6. D, DOK Level 1
7. A, DOK Level 2
8. C, DOK Level 2
9. B, DOK Level 2
10. A, DOK Level 1
11. D, DOK Level 1
12. A, DOK Level 1
13. B, DOK Level 2
14. C, DOK Level 1
15. A, DOK Level 1
16. C, DOK Level 2
17. B, DOK Level 1
18. C, DOK Level 2