Content Benchmark P.12.C.4
Students know characteristics, applications and impacts of radioactivity. E/S
Sample Test Questions
1st Item Specification: Identify the difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
1. Ionizing radiation is different from non-ionizing because ionizing radiation
A. causes electrons to be ejected from the atom or molecule.
B. changes the way atoms bond with other atoms in a molecule.
C. causes molecules to vibrate at low energies releasing light.
D. causes electrons to jump from one energy level to another.
2. Non-ionizing radiation is different from ionizing radiation because non-ionizing radiation
A. is very high in energy and causes molecular disruptions.
B. causes atomic nuclei to eject high speed beta particles.
C. causes atomic nuclei to rearrange its nucleons.
D. is low energy and does not cause molecular disruptions.
3. The difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is that ionizing radiation is
located in which range of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A. Visible and lesser frequencies
B. Microwave frequencies only
C. Ultraviolet and greater frequencies
D. Radio frequencies only
4. The difference between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation is that non-ionizing radiation is
located in which range of the electromagnetic spectrum?
A. Ultraviolet and greater frequencies
B. Visible and lesser frequencies
C. Microwave frequencies only
D. X-ray frequencies only
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
5. A student reads that slamming the door on a microwave can cause radiation to be released
and she incorrectly assumes that she will get radiation poisoning. Which of the following
would be the BEST explanation to give to her?
A. Microwaves can damage the DNA of cells and she should stand at least 2 meters
away from her microwave.
B. Microwaves are non-ionizing radiation and cannot cause cancer, but the door should
be repaired to prevent burns.
C. High energy X-rays are also emitted by microwave ovens and can cause cancer.
D. Radio waves are also emitted by microwave ovens and will also cause cancer.
6. Non-ionizing radiation such as infrared radiation can cause burns, but is different from
ionizing radiation because
A. infrared radiation exposure can lead to lung cancer.
B. radiowave exposure can lead to mutations in skin cells.
C. DNA disruption by ionizing X-ray result in mutations.
D. non-ionizing radiation does not change the DNA of a cell.
2nd Item Specification: Identify characteristics of radioactivity, including differences
between alpha, beta, and gamma rays.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
7. One characteristic of radioactivity is it
A. spontaneously releases particles or waves.
B. has low energy and low frequency.
C. is detected by radio towers on Earth.
D. is often found in the infrared range.
8. Alpha particles are different from beta particles because
A. alpha particles are low mass and energy.
B. beta particles are charged helium nuclei.
C. beta particles are high speed electrons and alpha particles are charged helium nuclei.
D. alpha particles are high speed waves and beta particles are high speed hydrogen
nuclei.
9. One significant difference between gamma radiation and alpha radiation is
A. that alpha particles can penetrate lead shields.
B. gamma radiation can penetrate concrete blocks.
C. alpha particles have negative charges.
D. gamma radiation carries positive charges.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
10. Use the following table to answer the question below.
Type of Radiation
Symbol
Relative Mass
Relative Charge
Relative Speed
Penetrating power
Stopped by:
Alpha
α
4
+2
slow
low
paper
Beta
β
1/2000
-1
fast
medium
aluminum
Gamma
λ
0
0
light speed
high
lead
If a source is emitting all three types of radiation, what type of container should be used
to protect people from the radiation?
A. A container that is made of concrete.
B. Using a lead container will be sufficient.
C. No container will prevent the radiation from leaking.
D. Multiple layers of concrete and steel are needed.
11. Use the following table to answer the question below.
Type of Radiation
Symbol
Relative Mass
Relative Charge
Relative Speed
Penetrating power
Stopped by:
Alpha
α
4
+2
slow
low
paper
Beta
Β
1/2000
-1
fast
medium
aluminum
Gamma
λ
0
0
light speed
high
lead
The reason that alpha particles are stopped by paper and have low penetrating ability is
due to
A. relatively high mass compared to the other radiation.
B. relatively low mass compared to beta particles.
C. small atomic size compared to the other radiation.
D. low charge compared with gamma rays.
3rd Item Specification: Recognize applications of radioactivity from examples.
Depth of Knowledge Level 1
12. Which of the following is an application of Cobalt-60 gamma radiation?
A. Radio-dating of ancient artifacts.
B. Generation of energy in nuclear power plants.
C. Irradiation of food to extend shelf life.
D. Radio-tracing of sensitive documents.
13. Which of the following is an application of Uranium-235?
A. Generation of energy in nuclear power plants.
B. Dating of ancient artifacts.
C. Detection of cancer tumors.
D. Irradiation of equipment for sterilization.
Depth of Knowledge Level 2
14. Carbon -14 is used to date artifacts. The half-life of Carbon-14 is about 6000 years. After
12,000 years, about how much Carbon-14 would remain in a sample?
A. None
B. One quarter
C. One half
D. Three quarters
15. Which of the following uses radiometric techniques?
A. Combustion engines
B. Climate change models
C. Dating artifacts less than a year old
D. Developing packaging for food items
Content Benchmark P.12.C.4
Students know characteristics, applications and impacts of radioactivity. E/S
Answers to Sample Test Questions
1. A, DOK Level 1
2. D, DOK Level 1
3. C, DOK Level 1
4. B, DOK Level 1
5. B, DOK Level 2
6. D, DOK Level 2
7. A, DOK Level 1
8. C, DOK Level 1
9. B, DOK Level 1
10. B, DOK Level 2
11. A, DOK Level 2
12. C, DOK Level 1
13. A, DOK Level 1
14. B, DOK Level 2
15. B, DOK Level 2