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Quizzes > Science

Nuclide Symbol Quiz: Test Your Element and Isotope Notation

Quick, free isotope notation quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Leonardo ElickerUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration with chemical element symbols nuclide quiz challenge text on teal background

This nuclide symbol quiz helps you read and write isotope notation, match mass and atomic numbers, and check element symbols. Warm up with isotope notation practice and then sharpen names with an element symbol quiz; if you want more drills, try a quick chemical symbol test.

What is the chemical symbol for Sodium?
S
Sd
Na
So
The chemical symbol for sodium is Na, derived from the Latin name natrium. Sodium is element number 11 on the periodic table and the symbol reflects historical nomenclature. It is an alkali metal with high reactivity, especially in water. .
What is the chemical symbol for Gold?
Au
Gol
G
Ag
Gold's symbol Au comes from the Latin word aurum. It is element number 79 on the periodic table. The symbol is internationally recognized in chemistry and jewelry contexts. .
What is the nuclide symbol for carbon-14?
^14C
C-14
^12C
^16C
The notation ^14C indicates the carbon isotope with a mass number of 14 (6 protons and 8 neutrons). Carbon-14 is a radioactive nuclide used in radiocarbon dating. The caret (^) denotes the superscript for the mass number. .
What is the chemical symbol for Mercury?
Mc
Hy
Hg
Me
Mercury's symbol Hg is derived from its Latin name hydrargyrum, meaning 'liquid silver.' It is element number 80 on the periodic table and is unique as a metal that is liquid at room temperature. .
What is the chemical symbol for Potassium?
P
K
Pt
Po
Potassium's symbol K comes from the Latin word kalium. It is element number 19 and belongs to the alkali metals group. Its symbol reflects early chemistry nomenclature. .
What is the nuclide symbol for uranium-235?
^235Pu
^235U
^234U
^238U
The nuclide ^235U denotes uranium with a mass number of 235 (92 protons and 143 neutrons). This isotope is fissile and used as fuel in nuclear reactors. The caret notation indicates the mass number as a superscript. .
What is the chemical symbol for Lead?
Le
Ld
Pd
Pb
Lead's symbol Pb comes from the Latin word plumbum. It is element number 82 and has been used historically in plumbing and paints. Its symbol reflects historical naming conventions. .
What is the nuclide symbol for oxygen-18?
^18N
^18O
O-18
^16O
The nuclide ^18O denotes the oxygen isotope with mass number 18 (8 protons and 10 neutrons). Oxygen-18 is a stable isotope used in paleoclimatology studies. The superscript indicates the mass number. .
How many neutrons are in the nuclide ^238U?
92
238
384
146
Uranium-238 has a mass number of 238 and an atomic number of 92. The number of neutrons equals mass number minus atomic number: 238 ? 92 = 146. This calculation is fundamental to nuclide analysis. .
Which nuclide has 26 protons and 30 neutrons?
^58Ni
^30Zn
^26Cr
^56Fe
An atom with 26 protons is iron (Fe). Adding 30 neutrons gives a mass number of 56, so the nuclide is ^56Fe. Iron-56 is the most stable nucleus by binding energy per nucleon. .
What is the atomic number represented in the nuclide symbol ^60Co?
28
58
60
27
In the notation ^60Co, the superscript 60 is the mass number, not the atomic number. Cobalt's atomic number is 27, which tells you the number of protons in the nucleus. .
Which nuclide is commonly used in PET scans?
^131I
^14C
^60Co
^18F
Fluorine-18 (^18F) is a positron-emitting radionuclide widely used in positron emission tomography (PET). It has a half-life of about 110 minutes, suitable for imaging. .
What is the nuclide symbol for the decay product of ^60Co beta decay?
^60Cu
^60Co
^60Ni
^59Fe
Cobalt-60 undergoes beta minus decay, converting a neutron into a proton, which transforms the nucleus into nickel-60 (^60Ni). This process emits an electron and an antineutrino. .
How many protons and neutrons are in the nuclide ^131I?
78 protons, 53 neutrons
131 protons, 53 neutrons
53 protons, 78 neutrons
53 protons, 131 neutrons
Iodine has atomic number 53, so ^131I contains 53 protons. The number of neutrons equals 131 ? 53 = 78. Iodine-131 is a common medical radioisotope. .
What is the nuclide symbol for a chlorine isotope with 20 neutrons?
^17Cl
^20Cl
^37Cl
^35Cl
Chlorine has atomic number 17. An isotope with 20 neutrons has mass number 17 + 20 = 37, giving the nuclide ^37Cl, which is a stable isotope. .
Which nuclide symbol denotes a metastable isomer?
^235U
^99mTc
^1H
^14C
The 'm' in ^99mTc indicates a metastable nuclear isomer of technetium-99. These isomers have excited nuclear energy states that decay to the ground state, often emitting gamma rays. .
Determine the number of neutrons in the nuclide ^131Xe.
54
77
131
187
Xenon has atomic number 54, so ^131Xe has 54 protons. Subtracting from the mass number gives 131 ? 54 = 77 neutrons. Xenon-131 is a stable isotope. .
Which nuclide decays primarily by positron emission?
^238U
^11C
^60Co
^14C
Carbon-11 (^11C) decays by positron emission (?+ decay), converting a proton into a neutron and emitting a positron and a neutrino. It's used in PET imaging. .
For the nuclide ^210Po, what element is represented?
Plutonium
Polonium
Protactinium
Lead
The symbol Po stands for polonium, which has atomic number 84. Thus ^210Po is the isotope polonium-210. Polonium is a rare and highly radioactive element. .
What is the nuclide symbol for an isotope of manganese with 28 neutrons?
^25Mn
^28Mn
^55Mn
^53Mn
Manganese has atomic number 25. An isotope with 28 neutrons has mass number 25 + 28 = 53, so the nuclide is ^53Mn. This isotope is used in geological dating. .
What is the correct nuclide symbol notation for an alpha particle?
^2He
^4?
^4H
^4He
An alpha particle is a helium nucleus with two protons and two neutrons, giving it a mass number of 4 and atomic number 2, denoted ^4He. The symbol ? is informal notation. .
Which nuclide symbol has a mass number equal to twice its atomic number?
^14N
^12C
^40Ca
^16O
Calcium has atomic number 20 and the nuclide ^40Ca has a mass number of 40, which is exactly twice its atomic number. It is the most abundant isotope of calcium. .
In the notation ^99mTc, what does the 'm' indicate?
Metastable state
Mass number
Ionization level
Chemical symbol
In nuclear notation, 'm' denotes a metastable excited state of the nucleus. Technetium-99m (^99mTc) is widely used in diagnostic imaging due to its gamma emission and suitable half-life. .
The nuclide ^252Cf is commonly used as a source of what?
Beta particles
Gamma rays
Protons
Neutrons
Californium-252 spontaneously fissions and emits neutrons, making it a practical neutron source for research and industrial applications. Its high neutron flux is exploited in activation analysis. .
What is the neutron-to-proton ratio of the nuclide ^56Fe?
26:30
30:26
2:1
1:1
Iron-56 has 26 protons and 30 neutrons, giving a neutron-to-proton ratio of 30:26. This ratio is important for understanding nuclear stability and binding energy. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Nuclide Symbols -

    Develop the ability to answer "what is the nuclide symbol of X" by memorizing and recalling the correct notation for each element.

  2. Identify Chemical Symbols -

    Strengthen your familiarity with the periodic table by accurately identifying each element's chemical symbol under time pressure.

  3. Analyze Isotopic Notation -

    Learn to interpret nucleus quiz questions by breaking down isotopic notation and understanding atomic mass and atomic number relationships.

  4. Apply Periodic Table Knowledge -

    Use your grasp of element positions and properties to solve nuclide symbol questions and periodic table quiz challenges.

  5. Improve Recall Speed -

    Practice rapid-response techniques to boost your speed and accuracy in chemical symbol quizzes and nucleus quiz questions.

  6. Assess Quiz Performance -

    Evaluate your quiz results to pinpoint areas for review, helping you focus on nuclide symbol questions that need improvement.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Decoding Nuclide Notation -

    Nuclide symbols follow the format A as a superscript (mass number) and Z as a subscript (atomic number) before the element letter, such as ¹❴₆C for carbon-14. Recognizing what is the nuclide symbol of X hinges on mastering this format, a standard set by IUPAC and taught in university chemistry courses. Practice with nucleus quiz questions to embed this notation in your memory.

  2. Mastering Element Symbols with Mnemonics -

    Build memory aids like "Happy Henry Likes Beans Brownies" for H, He, Li, Be, B to ace a chemical symbol quiz effortlessly. Mnemonic tricks turn abstract letters into vivid stories, boosting recall during a chemistry symbol test. Create similar phrases for each period to accelerate learning.

  3. Distinguishing Isotopes in Nuclide Symbol Questions -

    Isotopes share atomic numbers but differ in mass numbers, so I-131 is written as ¹³¹₅₃I in official notation. Spotting these differences is key for nucleus quiz questions on radioactive nuclides and decay chains. Reviewing examples from academic journals and nuclear databases deepens your isotope knowledge.

  4. Applying Nuclear Stability Patterns -

    Use the neutron-to-proton (N/Z) ratio and "magic numbers" (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) to predict which nuclides are stable, a common theme in nuclide symbol questions. A balanced N/Z ratio often signals stability, helping you answer advanced nucleus quiz questions. Refer to the National Nuclear Data Center for authoritative stability charts.

  5. Linking Periodic Trends to Mass Numbers -

    Understand how atomic weight relates to mass number, explaining why chlorine appears as Cl-35 or Cl-37 in a periodic table quiz. Grasping this link enhances performance on both chemical symbol quiz prompts and detailed chemistry symbol test items. Use IUPAC's Atomic Weights database to verify exact values and practice with mixed nuclide examples.

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