Pretest Answers

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1
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Why are very high temperatures and pressures required for fusion to occur?

A
to overcome the repulsion between the protons in the nuclei that join
B
to keep the uranium fuel separate from the control rods
C
to maintain the proper conditions to keep the chain reaction going
D
to generate the neutrons that are needed to break the nuclei
3

How do fission nuclear reactions differ from fusion nuclear reactions?

A
Fusion reactions are used to generate electricity for consumers, but fission reactions are not.
B
Fission reactions involve the conversion of matter into energy, but fusion reactions do not.
C
Fission reactions are used to generate electricity for consumers, but fusion reactions are not.
D
Fusion reactions involve the conversion of matter into energy, but fission reactions do not.
4

Which feature of nuclear fission reactions allows these reactions to take place in a chain reaction?

A
Thermal energy is released and heats up the reactants.
B
Neutrons start the reaction and are released during it.
C
A larger atom is formed, which can then be split.
D
More smaller atoms form that can undergo fission.
5

Improvements in which area would help reduce the possibility of damage to the environment when using uranium as a fuel?

A
better control of fusion reactions
B
stronger-pumping wells
C
more-efficient extraction techniques
D
thicker shielding around the reactor
6

In which situation is nuclear power most beneficial?

A
if there is a low concentration of people
B
if there is a nearby supply of fossil fuels
C
if there are many other energy resources
D
if there is an isolated location
7

What is Albert Einstein’s contribution to the understanding of nuclear energy?

A
He first discovered that nuclear-reaction products are lighter than the reactants.
B
He developed the use of nuclear reactions to generate electricity.
C
He proposed that matter can be converted to energy and vice versa.
D
He demonstrated that a uranium nucleus splits and releases neutrons.
9

During early research in nuclear energy, why were scientists surprised that the products from splitting a uranium nucleus had less mass than the reactants?

A
They expected that the large release of energy would cause an increase in mass.
B
Up to that time, only chemical changes were known to form less mass than they started with.
C
Other known nuclear changes resulted in the same mass of products as reactants.
D
All known changes always started and ended with the same amount of mass.
10

What is the correct order of energy conversions associated with a power plant that uses nuclear fission reactions?

A
thermal to nuclear to mechanical to electrical
B
nuclear to mechanical to electrical to thermal
C
nuclear to thermal to mechanical to electrical
D
thermal to mechanical to nuclear to electrical

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Pretest Answers — Physical Science