AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based Practice Quiz: Fission, Fusion, and Nuclear Decay

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 16 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 16

Which of the following best describes the process of nuclear fission?

A)Two smaller nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus.B)A nucleus spontaneously emits an electron to become more stable.C)The nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei.D)A material's nuclei decay at a rate predicted by its half-life.

All Questions (16)

Which of the following best describes the process of nuclear fission?

A) Two smaller nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus.

B) A nucleus spontaneously emits an electron to become more stable.

C) The nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei.

D) A material's nuclei decay at a rate predicted by its half-life.

Correct Answer: C

According to the provided content, nuclear fission is the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei, as well as subatomic particles.

The process by which two or more smaller nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus is known as:

A) Nuclear fission

B) Radioactive decay

C) Mass-energy equivalence

D) Nuclear fusion

Correct Answer: D

The provided content defines nuclear fusion as the process by which two or more smaller nuclei combine to form a larger nucleus, as well as subatomic particles.

The behavior of constituent particles in any nuclear reaction is constrained by several fundamental laws. Which of the following is explicitly mentioned as a constraining law?

A) The law of universal gravitation

B) The conservation of momentum

C) The ideal gas law

D) The law of conservation of volume

Correct Answer: B

The content states that the behavior of particles in a nuclear reaction is constrained by the laws of conservation of energy, energy-mass equivalence, and conservation of momentum.

The equation E=mc² is relevant to all nuclear reactions because it describes the:

A) Rate of radioactive decay over time.

B) Conservation of momentum of subatomic particles.

C) Exchange between mass and energy.

D) Force that holds nucleons together in a nucleus.

Correct Answer: C

The content specifies that for all nuclear reactions, mass and energy may be exchanged due to mass-energy equivalence, and provides the relevant equation E=mc².

In the radioactive decay equation N = N₀e^(-λt), what does the term N₀ represent?

A) The number of nuclei remaining after time t.

B) The decay constant of the material.

C) The initial number of nuclei in the sample.

D) The time elapsed since the decay began.

Correct Answer: C

The equation N = N₀e^(-λt) is used to predict the number of nuclei remaining (N) after a period of time (t). Therefore, N₀ represents the number of nuclei at t=0, which is the initial amount.

A scientist wants to determine the age of an ancient artifact. They measure the current number of radioactive nuclei (N) in the artifact and know the material's decay constant (λ). According to the provided content, what other piece of information is required?

A) The mass of the artifact.

B) The initial amount of material (N₀).

C) The temperature at which the artifact was stored.

D) The type of particles emitted during decay.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that the decay constant can be used to determine the age of a material 'if the initial amount of material is known.' The equation N = N₀e^(-λt) requires N, N₀, and λ to solve for the age, t.

In a nuclear fission reaction, the total mass of the products (smaller nuclei and particles) is found to be slightly less than the mass of the original nucleus. This 'lost' mass is:

A) An error in measurement.

B) Converted into pure energy.

C) Expelled from the reaction as dark matter.

D) Transformed into electrical charge.

Correct Answer: B

This phenomenon is explained by mass-energy equivalence (E=mc²). The content states that for all nuclear reactions, mass and energy may be exchanged. The lost mass is converted into a significant amount of energy.

Which of the following statements accurately distinguishes nuclear fusion from nuclear fission?

A) Fusion involves splitting a nucleus, while fission involves combining nuclei.

B) Fission releases energy, while fusion consumes energy.

C) Fusion involves combining nuclei, while fission involves splitting a nucleus.

D) Fission is constrained by conservation of energy, while fusion is not.

Correct Answer: C

Based on the definitions provided, nuclear fusion is the process of combining smaller nuclei, whereas nuclear fission is the process of splitting a larger nucleus.

If a sample of radioactive material has a very large decay constant (λ), what does this imply about the material?

A) The material will decay very slowly.

B) The material is very stable and unlikely to decay.

C) The material will decay very rapidly.

D) The material can only undergo fission, not decay.

Correct Answer: C

In the equation N = N₀e^(-λt), the decay constant λ is in the negative exponent. A larger value for λ means the exponential term decreases more quickly, resulting in a faster decay of the number of nuclei (N).

Two samples of different radioactive isotopes, X and Y, begin with the same initial number of nuclei (N₀). Isotope X has a decay constant λₓ, and Isotope Y has a decay constant λᵧ. If λₓ is greater than λᵧ, which statement will be true after a given amount of time, t?

A) The number of remaining nuclei in sample X will be greater than in sample Y.

B) The number of remaining nuclei in sample Y will be greater than in sample X.

C) The number of remaining nuclei in both samples will be identical.

D) Neither sample will have decayed.

Correct Answer: B

A larger decay constant (λ) signifies a faster rate of decay. Since λₓ > λᵧ, sample X will decay more quickly than sample Y. Therefore, after any amount of time t, there will be fewer nuclei of isotope X remaining compared to isotope Y.

The provided content describes the physical properties and laws that constrain the behavior of all of the following EXCEPT:

A) Interacting nuclei

B) Nucleons

C) Subatomic particles

D) Chemical bonds

Correct Answer: D

The content explicitly mentions that physical properties constrain the behavior of 'interacting nuclei, subatomic particles, and nucleons.' Chemical bonds, which involve electron interactions, are not mentioned in the context of nuclear physics.

The decay of a given sample of material consisting of a finite number of nuclei is described as:

A) Nuclear fusion

B) Nuclear fission

C) Radioactive decay

D) Mass-energy equivalence

Correct Answer: C

The content directly states, 'Describe the radioactive decay of a given sample of material consisting of a finite number of nuclei.' This process is radioactive decay.

According to the principles outlined, which of the following is a common outcome of both nuclear fission and nuclear fusion reactions?

A) The formation of a single, larger nucleus from two smaller ones.

B) The splitting of a large nucleus into multiple smaller ones.

C) The production of subatomic particles.

D) A process that occurs without being constrained by conservation of energy.

Correct Answer: C

The definition for fusion states it forms a larger nucleus 'as well as subatomic particles.' The definition for fission states it splits a nucleus 'as well as subatomic particles.' Therefore, the production of subatomic particles is common to both.

Considering the equation N = N₀e^(-λt), if a sample of material never decays (i.e., it is perfectly stable), what must be the value of its decay constant, λ?

A) λ = 1

B) λ = -1

C) λ = ∞ (infinity)

D) λ = 0

Correct Answer: D

If the sample never decays, the number of nuclei N must always be equal to the initial number N₀ for any time t. For N = N₀e^(-λt) to equal N₀, the term e^(-λt) must equal 1. This is only true if the exponent, -λt, is 0. For this to be true for all t, λ must be 0.

A nuclear power plant generates energy by splitting uranium nuclei. This process is a practical application of:

A) Nuclear fusion

B) Nuclear fission

C) Radioactive dating

D) The decay constant

Correct Answer: B

The description of splitting uranium nuclei matches the definition of nuclear fission provided in the content: 'the process by which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei.'

The fact that energy, momentum, and mass-energy are all conserved in nuclear reactions implies that these reactions are:

A) Unpredictable and random.

B) Governed by a set of consistent physical laws.

C) Only possible at extremely high temperatures.

D) Independent of the properties of subatomic particles.

Correct Answer: B

The content states that the behavior of particles is 'constrained by laws of conservation.' This means the reactions are not random but follow predictable rules, indicating they are governed by consistent physical laws.