CLS Aipmt-19-20 XII Phy Study-Package-6 Level-1 Chapter-13

Level - I
Chapter 13
Nuclei
Solutions (Set-1)
SECTION - A
School/Board Exam. Type Questions
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. Name three nuclei which are on the ‘bottom points’ of binding energy curve.
Sol. 1H2 , 10
5 B , 3 Li
6
2. What exactly makes large nuclei unstable?
Sol. The electrostatic force dominates the nuclear force.
3. What holds nucleons together?
Sol. Nuclear force.
4. Which of the following will be affected by electric and magnetic fields?
(i) -rays
(ii) -rays
(iii) -rays
Sol. (i) -rays
(ii) -rays
5. Write down the radioactive rays in the order of increasing penetrating power.
Sol. -rays, -rays, -rays
6. How is the half-life of a radioactive substance related to its decay constant?
0.693
Sol. T1/2 

7. What is Einstein’s mass-energy relation?
Sol. E = mc2
Aakash
Aakash Educational
Educational Services
Services Limited
Limited -- Regd.
Regd. Office : Aakash Tower, 8, Pusa
Pusa Road,
Road, New
New Delhi-110005
Delhi-110005 Ph.
Ph. 011-47623456
011-47623456
2 Nuclei Solutions of Assignment (Set-1) (Level-I)
8. Is free neutron a stable particle?
Sol. No, A free neutron decays spontaneously into a proton, an electron and antineutrino.
1
0n  1H1  1e
0

9. Name two elementary particles which have almost infinite life time.
Sol. Electron and proton have almost infinite life time.
10 How are the two units of radioactivity Curie and Rutherford related to each other?
Sol. 1 curie = 3.7 × 104 Rutherford.
Short Answer Type Questions :
11. Comment on the statement “A nucleus contains no electrons but can eject them”.
Sol. It is true that a nucleus contains no electrons as such. However, in the process of – decay, a neutron breaks
up as follows
1
0n  1H 1  1e
0

The electron so produced is ejected out of the nucleus.
12. How are -particles different from electrons emitted in thermionic emission and photoelectric effect?
Sol. The electrons emitted in thermionic emission and photoelectric effect are the outer electrons of atom. So they
have less kinetic energy. On the other hand, the -particles are electrons emitted from the nucleus. So, –
particles posses comparatively larger kinetic energy than the electrons emitted in thermionic emission and
photoelectric effect.
13. Calculate the energy equivalent of 1 amu in MeV.
Sol. E = mc2
= 1.66 × 10–27 × 3 × 108 × 3 × 108
= 1.66 × 9 × 10–11 J
1.66  9  1011
= MeV
1.6  1013
= 931.5 MeV
14. Give the order of magnitude of nuclear mass density and average atomic mass density. Compare these
densities with the typical mass density of solids, liquids and gases (at ordinary temperature and pressure).
Sol. Nuclear mass density is of the order of 1017 kg/m3. This estimates is obtained by using the empirical relation
r = r0A1/3 (r0 = 1.2 × 10–15 m) for the radius of a nucleus of mass number A. It is typically 1013 to 1014 times
the average mass density of an atom. That is, the average atomic mass density is of the order of 103 to
104 kg/m3. Typical mass densities of solids and liquids are of the same order since atoms are tightly packed
in these phases. Typical densities of gases at STP are of the order of 10–1 to 1 kg/m3.
Aakash Educational Services Limited - Regd. Office : Aakash Tower, 8, Pusa Road, New Delhi-110005 Ph. 011-47623456
Solutions of Assignment (Set-1) (Level-I) Nuclei 3
15. Why 238
92U is not suitable for chain reaction?
238 235
92 U 92 U
Sol. The energy required to disintegrate nucleus is larger than the energy required to disintegrate
238
92 U
nucleus. A neutron of energy 1.2 MeV is required to disintegrate . Since neutrons of this much energy
238
92 U
are rarely available and hence is not suitable for chain reaction. On the other hand, a thermal neutron
235
92 U
(0.025 eV) can disintegrate . Thermal neutrons are easily available and hence U235 can be used in chain
reaction.
16. Name the three essential components of a nuclear reactor.
Sol. (i) Fissionable material
(ii) Cadmium control rods
(iii) Moderator
17. Name two radioactive elements which are not found in observable quantities in nature. Why is it so?
Sol. The radioactive elements whose half life is very small are not found in observable quantities in nature. For
example mendelevium (mV256) (Half life 1 hour) and fermium (Fm252) (Half life 36 hours).
18. What are the properties of nuclear forces?
Sol. (i) Nuclear force is short range force.
(ii) Nuclear force is non-central force.
(iii) Nuclear force is charge independent.
(iv) Nuclear force is strong fundamental force in nature and nuclear force is mainly an attractive force.
(v) Nuclear force is a saturated force.
19. Define critical mass for nuclear chain reaction.
Sol. When the rate of production of neutron is equal to the rate of loss of neutron, the mass of fissionable material
is said to be critical.
20. Explain with the help of a nuclear reaction in each of the following cases, how the neutron to proton ratio
changes during (i) -decay (ii) –-decay?
Sol. (i) -decay is given as :
238 234
92 U  90Th  2 He4
In this case, initial ratio of

N
Z
 for 92U238  = 146
92
 1.59
N 144
Final ratio of   after decay =  1.6
Z 90
N
That is, the ratio of   slightly increases during this -decay.
Z
(ii) –-decay is given by
15 P
32
 16 S32  1e
0
(  )  
Initial value of
N
Z
 for 15P32  =
17
15
 1.13
Final value of
N
Z
 for 16 S32  = 16
16
 1.00
N
Thus,   decreases after – decay.
Z
21. Draw a graph showing variation of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation.
Indicate the region in which the nuclear force is (a) attractive (b) repulsive?
Sol.
A
P.E.
O
B
C
r
B to C attractive
A toC repulsive
22. How many  and  particles are emitted when 92U

238 changes to 90Th
230?
Sol. 92 U
238
 90Th230  x 2 He 4  y 1e0 ( )
According to law of conservation of atomic number
92 = 90 + 2x – y
or 2x – y = 2
Also, 238 = 230 + 4x
x = 2 and y = 2
 2-particles and 2-particles are emitted.
23. Number of protons and number of neutrons are same on either side of a nuclear reaction. Then how is it said
that energy released in a nuclear reaction is due to conversion of mass.
Sol. Total binding energy of nuclei on one side of the nuclear reaction may not be equal to that on the other side
of the reactions. This fact tells that only rest mass of neutrons and protons is same on each side of the reaction
difference in total binding energy on both sides can be referred to as difference in total mass in a nuclear
reaction.
24. What do you understand by probability of disintegration of a radioactive substance?
N0  N
Sol. Probability of disintegration = N0 , where N0 is number of undecayed nuclei initially and N is number of
undecayed nuclei after time t.
25. ‘Mass-energy conversion does not take place in a chemical reaction’ comment.
Sol. It is infact an incorrect statement. The total chemical binding energies may not be same on either side of a
chemical reaction. This difference can be referred to as difference in total mass in a chemical reaction but it
may be noted that energy exchanged on this account is merely in eV. Whereas in nuclear reactions it is in
MeV i.e., million times.
26. Energy released per fission of a nucleus is of the order of 200 MeV whereas that per fusion is of the order
of 10 MeV. But a fusion bomb (Hydrogen bomb) is said to be more powerful than a fission bomb. Explain
why?
Sol. Energy produced per fusion is less but the number of nuclei per unit mass is larger on account of smaller
mass number. So, energy released per unit mass is greater. On the other hand, the fissionable material have
high atomic weight. The number of fission nuclei per unit mass is less. So, energy released is less.
27. With respect to power generation, what are the relative advantage and disadvantages of fusion type and fission
type reactor?
Sol. Fusion require high temperature. Controlled reaction is not yet obtained. Highly sophisticated technology will
be required. However the fuel is easily available, cheap and causes very less pollution. There is no problem
of waste management.
28. Is it possible that a nucleus has a negative mass defect?
Sol. This is not possible because if a nucleus has negative mass defect, this would mean that the mass of nucleus
is greater than the combined mass of the nucleus taken individually.
29. The atomic mass are generally not whole numbers, why?
Sol. The atomic mass of the elements is the average mass of isotopes weighted over their natural abundance. The
individual isotopes have a whole number. But the average is not a whole number.
30 Define ‘disintegration constant’ and ‘mean life’ of a radioactive substance. Give the unit for each.
Sol. Disintegration constant is the reciprocal of the time during which the number of atoms of a radioactive substance
1
is reduced to times the original number of atoms. It is measured is S–1.
e
Mean life of a radioactive substance is the average time for which the atoms of radioactive element exist. It
is reciprocal of disintegration constant. It is measured in second, the practical unit being ‘year’.
Long Answer Type Questions :

31. Show that radioactive disintegration is exponential. Hence define radioactive disintegration constant.
Sol. In any radioactive sample, which undergoes ,  or -decay, it is found that the number of nuclei undergoing
the decay per unit time is proportional to the total number of nuclei in the sample. If N is the number of nuclei
in the sample and N undergo decay in time t then
N
N
t
N
or  N
t
where  is called the radioactive decay constant or disintegration constant.
The change in the number of nuclei in the sample is dN = – N in time t. Thus the rate of change of N is
(in the limit t  0)
dN
 N
dt
dN
or  dt
N
Now, integrating both sides of the above equation,we get,
N t
dN
 N
  dt
N0 t0
or ln N – ln N0 = –(t – t0)
Here N0 is the number of radioactive nuclei in the sample at some arbitrary time t0 and N is the number of
radioactive nuclei at any subsequent time t. Setting t0 = 0 and rearranging Eq. (13.12) gives us
N
ln  t
N0
which gives
Nt = N0e–t.
32. Explain the terms fission and fusion.
Sol. Soon after the discovery of neutron by Chadwick, Enrico Fermi found that when neutrons bombard various
elements, new radioactive elements are produced. However, when a neutron was bombared on a uranium target,
the uranium nucleus broke into two nearly equal fragments releasing great amount of energy. An example of
such a reaction is
1 235 236 144 89
0 n  92 U  92 U  56 Ba  36 Kr  3 01n ...(i)
Fission does not always produce barium and krypton. A different pair can be produced, for example
1 235 236 133 99
0 n  92 U  92 U  51Sb  41Nb  4 01n ...(ii)
Still another example is

1 235 140 94
0 n  92 U  54 Xe  38 Sr  2 01n ...(iii)
The fragment nuclei produced in fission are highly neutron-rich and unstable. They are radioactive and emit
beta particles in succession until each reaches a stable end product.
The energy released (the Q value ) in the fission reaction of nuclei like uranium is of the order of 200 MeV
per fissioning nucleus. This is estimated as follows:
Let us take a nucleus with A = 240 breaking into two fragments each of A = 120. Then
Ebn for A = 240 nucleus is about 7.6 MeV,
Ebn for the two A = 120 fragment nuclei is about 8.5 MeV.
 Gain in binding energy for nucleon is about 0.9 MeV.
Hence the total gain in binding energy is 240 × 0.9 or 216 MeV
The disintegration energy in fission events first appears as the kinetic energy of the fragments and neutrons.
Eventually it is transferred to the surrounding matter appearing as heat. The source of energy in nuclear reactors,
which produce electricity, is nuclear fission. The enormous energy released in an atom bomb comes from
uncontrolled nuclear fission.
The binding energy curve shown in Figure shows that energy can be released if two light nuclei combine to
form a single larger nucleus, a process called nuclear fusion. Some examples of such energy liberating
reactions are
10
Binding energy per nucleon (MeV)

56
32
S Fe 100
Mo 127
16
O I 184 197
12
W An
8 C
238
U
4 18
He O
14
N
6 6
Li
4
3
H
2
2
H
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Mass Number (A)
1 1 2 
1H  1H  1H  e  v  0.42 MeV ...(iv)
2 2 3
1H  1H  2 He  n  3.27 MeV ...(v)
2 2 3 1
1H  1H  1H  1H  4.03 MeV ...(vi)
In reaction (iv), two protons combine to form a deuteron and a positron with a release of 0.42 MeV energy. In
reaction (v), two deuterons combine to form the light isotope of helium. In reaction (vi), two deuterons combine
to form a triton and a proton. In all these reactions, we find that two positively charged particles combine to
form a larger nucleus. It must be realised that such a process is hindered by the Coulomb repulsion that acts
to prevent the two positively charged particles from getting close enough to be within the range of their attractive
nuclear forces and thus ‘fusing’. The height of this Coulomb barrier depends on the charges and the radii of
the two interacting nuclei. For example, it can be easily shown that for two protons, the barrier height is ~
400 keV. The barrier height for more highly charged nuclei is higher. The temperature at which protons in a
proton gas would have enough energy to overcome the coulomb’s barrier is given by
(3/2)k T  K 400 keV and is about 3 × 109 K.
To generate useful amount of energy, nuclear fusion must occur in bulk matter. What is needed is to raise
the temperature of the material until the particles have enough energy due to their thermal motions alone –
to penetrate the coulomb barrier. This process is called thermonuclear fusion.
33. (i) Discuss the source of steller energy.
(ii) Discuss radiation hazards.
Sol. (i) For thermonuclear fusion to take place, extreme conditions of temperature and pressure are required, which
are available only in the interiors of stars including sun. The energy generation in stars takes place via
thermonuclear fusion.
The fusion reaction in the sun is a multi-step process in which hydrogen is burned into helium, hydrogen
being the ‘fuel’ and helium the ‘ashes’. The proton-proton (p, p) cycle by which this occurs is represented
by the following sets of reactions:
1 1 2 
1H  1H  1H  e  v  0.42 MeV ...(i)
e  e      1.02 MeV ...(ii)
2 1 3
1H  1H  2 He    5.49 MeV ...(iii)
3 3 4 1 1
2 H  2 H  2 He  1H  1H  12.86 MeV ...(iv)
For the fourth reaction to occur, the first three reactions must occur twice, in which case two light helium
nuclei unite to form ordinary helium or nucleus. If we consider the combination 2(i) + 2(ii) + 2(iii) +(iv),
the net effect is
4 11H  2e   42 He  2v  6   26.7 MeV
or (4 11H  4e  )  ( 42 He  2e  )  2v  6   26.7 MeV
Thus, four hydrogen atoms combine to form an 42 He atom with a release of 26.7 MeV of energy.
(ii) It is estimated that a nuclear arsenal sufficient to destroy every form of life on this planet several times
over is in position to be triggered by the press of a button. Such a nuclear holocaust will not only destroy
the life that exists now but its radioactive fallout will make this planet unfit for life for all times. Scenarios
based on theoretical calculations predict a long nuclear winter, as the radioactive waste will hang like a
cloud in the earth’s atmosphere and will absorb the sun’s radiation.
34. Discuss alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay.
Sol. When a nucleus undergoes alpha-decay, it transforms to a different nucleus by emitting an alpha-particle
(a helium nucleus, 42 He ). For example, when 238

92 U
undergoes alpha-decay, it transforms to 234
90Th
238 234 4
92 U  90Th  2 He
In this process, it is observed that since 42 He contains two protons and two neutrons, the mass number and
the atomic number of the daughter nucleus decreases by four and two, respectively. Thus, the transformation
A A 4
ZX Z  2Y
of a nucleus into a nucleus can be expressed as
A A 4
ZX  Z  2Y  42 He
A A 4
ZX Z  2Y
where A is the parent nucleus and is the daughter nucleus.
238
92 U
The alpha-decay of can occur spontaneously (without an external source of energy) because the total
234 4 238
90Th 2 He 92 U
mass of the decay products and is less than the mass of the original .
A nucleus that decays spontaneously by emitting an electron or a positron is said to undergo beta decay.
Like alpha decay, this is a spontaneous process, with a definite disintegration energy and half-life. Again like
alpha decay, beta decay is a statistical process governed by equation N(t) = N0e–t and R = R0e–t. In beta
32
15 P
minus (–) decay, an electron is emitted by the nucleus, as in the decay of
32
15 P
32
 16 S  e   (T1/2 = 14.3 days)
22
11Na
In beta plus (+) decay, a positron is emitted by the nucleus, as in the decay of
22 22 
11Na  10 Ne  e   (T1/2 = 2.6 years)
The symbols  and  represent antineutrino and neutrino, respectively; both are neutral particles, with very
little or no mass. These particles are emitted from the nucleus along with the electron or positron during the
decay process.
In beta-minus decay, a neutron transforms into a proton within the nucleus according to
n  p  e   ...(i)
whereas in beta-plus decay, a proton transforms into neutron (inside the nucleus) via
p  n  e   ...(ii)
These processes show why the mass number A of a nuclide undergoing beta decay does not change; one
of its constituent nucleons simply changes its character according to Eq. (i) or (ii).
There are energy levels in a nucleus, just like there are energy levels in atoms. When a nucleus is in an excited
state, it can make a transition to a lower energy state by the emission of electromagnetic radiation. As the
energy differences between levels in a nucleus are of the order of MeV, the photons emitted by the nuclei have
MeV energies and are called gamma rays. Most radionuclides after an alpha decay or a beta decay leave the
daughter nucleus in an excited state. The daughter nucleus reaches the ground state by a single transition
or sometimes by successive transitions by emitting one or more gamma rays.
35. What do you understand by atomic nucleus? Who discovered it and what do you understand by atomic
number and mass number? Explain with illustrations.
Sol. By performing scattering experiments in which fast electrons, instead of -particles, are projectiles that bombard
targets made up of various elements, the sizes of nuclei of various elements have been accurately measured.
It has been found that a nucleus of mass number A has a radius R = R0 A1/3
where R0 = 1.2 × 10–15 m. This means the volume of the nucleus, which is proportional to R3 is roportional
to A. Thus the density of nucleus is a constant, independent of A, for all nuclei. Different nuclei are likes drop
of liquid of constant density. The density of nuclear matter is approximately 2.3 × 1017 kg m–3. This density
is very large compared to ordinary matter, say water, which is 103 kg m–3. This is understandable, as we have
already seen that most of the atom is empty. Ordinary matter consisting of atoms has a large amount of empty
space.
The positive charge in the nucleus is that of the protons. A proton carries one unit of fundamental charge and
is stable. It was earlier thought that the nucleus may contain electrons, but this was ruled out later using
arguments based on quantum theory. All the electrons of an atom are outside the nucleus. We know that the
number of these electrons outside the nucleus of the atom is Z, the atomic number. The total charge of the
atomic electrons is thus (–Ze), and since the atom is neutral, the charge of the nucleus is (+Ze). The number
of protons in the nucleus of the atom is, therefore, exactly Z, the atomic number.
36. What do you mean by Q-value of nuclear reaction?
Sol. Q value of reaction is calculated from Einstein’s mass energy equivalence relation, E = m.c2. It may be
positive or negative. A nuclear reaction in which Q value is positive, energy is released. Such a reaction is
called exoergic. A nuclear reaction in which Q value is negative, energy has to be supplied before the reaction
occurs. Such a reaction is called endoergic.
Number of
 -particles
End point
energy
O X
-particle energy Q (max)
To have an insight into the process of energy generation from the nucleus, let us examine carefully, the curve
of binding energy per nucleon, shown in Figure. From A = 30 to A = 170, this curve has a long flat region,
indicating that B.E./nucleon in this region is almost constant. For A < 30 and A > 170, the average B.E./
nucleon is comparatively low. It means that in the mid mass region 30  A  170, the nuclei are more tightly
bound in comparison to the nuclei with A < 30, and A > 170. Therefore, transmutation of less stable nuclei
into more tightly bound nuclei would provide an excellent possibility of releasing nuclear energy.
The nuclear reactions involving nuclei with A > 170 constitute nuclear fission. And the nuclear reactions involving
nuclei with A < 30 constitute nuclear fusion. Thus two distinct ways of obtaining energy from nucleus are (i)
nuclear fission and (ii) nuclear fusion.
37. Give a rough plot of the binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number. On the basis of the graph,
explain why energy should be released in the process of
(i) Nuclear fission and
(ii) Nuclear fusion
Sol. If a certain number of neutrons and protons are brought together to form a nucleus of a certain charge and
mass, an energy Eb will be released in the process. The energy Eb is called the binding energy of the nucleus.
If we separate a nucleus into its nucleons, we would have to supply a total energy equal to Eb, to those
particles. Although we cannot tear apart a nucleus in this way, the nuclear binding energy is still a convenient
measure of how well a nucleus is held together. A more useful measure of the binding between the constituents
of the nucleus is the binding energy per nucleon, Ebn, which is the ratio of the binding energy Eb of a nucleus
to the number of the nucleons, A, in that nucleus:
Ebn = Eb / A
10
56
32
S Fe 100
Mo 127
16
O I 184 197
12
W An
8 C
238
U
4 18
He O
14
N
6 6
Li
4
3
H
2
2
H
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Mass Number (A)
Fig. The binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number.
We can think of binding energy per nucleon as the average energy per nucleon needed to separate a nucleus
into its individual nucleons. Figure is a plot of the binding energy per nucleon Ebn versus the mass number A
for a large number of nuclei.
(i) FISSION : A very heavy nucleus, say A = 240, has lower binding energy per nucleon compared to that
of a nucleus with A = 120. Thus if a nucleus A = 240 breaks into two nuclei of A = 120, nucleons get
more tightly bound. This implies energy would be released in the process. It has very important implications
for energy production through fission.
(ii) FUSION : Consider two very light nuclei (A 10) joining to form a heavier nucleus. The binding energy per
nucleon of the fused heavier nuclei is more than the binding energy per nucleon of the lighter nuclei. This
means that the final system is more tightly bound than the initial system. Again energy would be released
in such a process of fusion.
38. What are nuclear reaction? State the laws obeyed by these reactions. Give one example of nuclear reaction.
Sol. A nuclear reaction represents the transformation of one stable nucleus into another nucleus by bombarding
the former with suitable high energy particles.
Symbolicaly, we can represent a nuclear reaction as
A A4 A 3
ZX  2 He 4  Z2 C  Z 1Y  1H1  Q
Here, X is the target nucleus, bombarded by an -particle (called the projectile). C is the compound nucleus
which is unstable. It disintegrates to give a product nucleus Y and a product particle (proton).
The reaction is named (, p) reaction after the name of the projectile () and product particle (p). In the nuclear
reaction, Q is the total energy change in the reaction. It is called nuclear reaction energy or Q value of the
reaction.
In all types of nuclear reactions, the following conservation laws are obeyed :
1. Conservation of linear momentum
2. Conservation of total energy
3. Conservastion of charge
4. Conservation of number of nucleous.
Rutherford was the first to perform an experiment in 1919 on artificial transmutation of elements. He discovered
the nuclear reaction :
14
7N  2 He 4  9 F18  8 O17  1H1
39. Draw a graph showing the variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number of different nuclei. Mark
the regions where nuclei are (i) prone to fusion (ii) prone to fission and (iii) most stable.
Sol. If a certain number of neutrons and protons are brought together to form a nucleus of a certain charge and
mass, an energy Eb will be released in the process. The energy Eb is called the binding energy of the nucleus.
If we separate a nucleus into its nucleons, we would have to supply a total energy equal to Eb, to those
particles. Although we cannot tear apart a nucleus in this way, the nuclear binding energy is still a convenient
measure of how well a nucleus is held together. A more useful measure of the binding between the constituents
of the nucleus is the binding energy per nucleon, Ebn, which is the ratio of the binding energy Eb of a nucleus
to the number of the nucleons, A, in that nucleus:
Ebn = Eb / A
10

56
32
S Fe 100
Mo 127
16
O I 184 197
12
W An
8 C
238
U
4 18
He O
14
N
6 6
Li
4
3
H
2
2
H
0
0 50 100 150 200 250
Mass Number (A)
Fig. The binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number.
We can think of binding energy per nucleon as the average energy per nucleon needed to separate a nucleus
into its individual nucleons. Figure is a plot of the binding energy per nucleon Ebn versus the mass number A
for a large number of nuclei. We notice the following main features of the plot:
(i) Prone to fusion, A < 10
(ii) Prone to fission, A > 240
(iii) Most stable, 170 > A > 30
40. Explain how radioactive nuclei can emit -particles even though atomic nuclei do not contain these particles.
Hence explain why the mass number of a radioactive nuclide does not change during -decay.
22
11Na
Sol. In beta plus (+) decay, a positron is emitted by the nucleus, as in the decay of
22
11Na
22
 10 Ne  e    (T1/2 = 2.6 y)
The symbols  and  represent antineutrino and neutrino, respectively; both are neutral particles, with very
little or no mass. These particles are emitted from the nucleus along with the electron or positron during the
decay process. Neutrinos interact only very weakly with matter; they can even penetrate the earth without being
absorbed. It is for this reason that their detection is extremely difficult and their presence went unnoticed for
long.
In beta-minus decay, a neutron transforms into a proton within the nucleus according to
n  p  e  v ...(i)
whereas in beta-plus decay, a proton transforms into neutron (inside the nucleus) via
p  n  e  v ...(ii)
These processes show why the mass number A of a nuclide undergoing beta decay does not change; one
of its constituent nucleons simply changes its character according to Eq. (i) or (ii).
41. Explain nuclear size and nuclear density. Show that nuclear density is same for all the nuclei.
Sol. By performing scattering experiments in which fast electrons, instead of -particles, are projectiles that bombard
targets made up of various elements, the sizes of nuclei of various elements have been accurately measured.
It has been found that a nucleus of mass number A has a radius R = R0 A1/3
where R0 = 1.2 × 10–15 m. This means the volume of the nucleus, which is proportional to R3 is roportional
to A. Thus the density of nucleus is a constant, independent of A, for all nuclei. Different nuclei are likes drop
of liquid of constant density. The density of nuclear matter is approximately 2.3 × 1017 kg m–3. This density
is very large compared to ordinary matter, say water, which is 103 kg m–3. This is understandable, as we have
already seen that most of the atom is empty. Ordinary matter consisting of atoms has a large amount of
empty space.
Density of nuclear matter is the ratio of mass of nucleus and its volume.
If m is average mass of a nucleon and R is the nuclear radius, then, mass of nucleus = mA, where A is the
mass number of the element.
4
Volume of nuclues = R 3
3
4
=  (R0 A1/3 )3
3
4
=  R03 A
3
mass of nucleus
As density of nuclear matter =
volume of nucleus
mA
= 4
 R03 A
3
3m

4R03
As m and R0 are constants, therefore density  of nuclear matter is the same for all elements.
Using m = 1.66 × 10–27 kg
R0 = 1.2 × 10–15 m
3  1.66  1027
we get,  
4  3.14 (1.2  1015 )3
 = 2.29 × 1017 kg/m3
which is very large as comapred to density of ordinary matter, say water, for which   103 kg/m3 and air,
for which  = 1.293 kg/m3. Hence matter in the nucleus is very densely packed.
42. What do you understand by isotopes, isobars and isotones? Explain with illustrations.
Sol. The composition of a nucleus can now be described using the following terms and symbols:
Z - atomic number = number of protons
N - neutron number = number of neutrons
A - mass number = Z + N
= total number of protons and neutrons
One also uses the term nucleon for a proton or a neutron. Thus the number of nucleons in an atom is its mass
number A.
A
ZX
Nuclear species or nuclides are shown by the notation where X is the chemical symbol of the species.
197
79 Au
For example, the nucleus of gold is denoted by . It contains 197 nucleons, of which 79 are protons
and the rest 118 are neutrons.
The composition of isotopes of an element can now be readily explained. The nuclei of isotopes of a given
element contain the same number of protons, but differ from each other in their number of neutrons. Deuterium,
2 3
1H 1H
, which is an isotope of hydrogen, contains one proton and one neutron. Its other isotope tritium, ,
contains one proton and two neutrons. The element gold has 32 isotopes, ranging from A =173 to A = 204.
We have already mentioned that chemical properties of elements depend on their electronic structure. As the
atoms of isotopes have identical electronic structure they have identical chemical behaviour and are placed
in the same location in the periodic table.
All nuclides with same mass number A are called isobars. For example, the nuclides 31H and 3
2H
are isobars.
198 197
80 Hg 79 Au
Nuclides with same neutron number N but different atomic number Z, for example and , are called
isotones.
43. What do you understand by nuclear holocaust?

Sol. In a single uranium fission about 0.9 × 235 MeV (200 MeV) of energy is liberated. If each nucleus of about
50 kg of 235U undergoes fission the amount of energy involved is about 4 × 1015 J. This energy is equivalent
to about 20,000 tons of TNT, enough for a superexplosion. Uncontrolled release of large nuclear energy is called
an atomic explosion. On August 6, 1945 an atomic device was used in warfare for the first time. The US
dropped an atom bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The explosion was equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT. Instantly
the radioactive products devastated 10 sq km of the city which had 3,43,000 inhabitants. Of this number 66,000
were killed and 69,000 were injured; more than 67% of the city’s structures were destroyed.
High temperature conditions for fusion reactions can be created by exploding a fission bomb. Super-explosions
equivalent to 10 megatons of explosive power of TNT were tested in 1954. Such bombs which involve fusion
of isotopes of hydrogen, deuterium and tritium are called hydrogen bombs. It is estimated that a nuclear arsenal
sufficient to destroy every form of life on this planet several times over is in position to be triggered by the
press of a button. Such a nuclear holocaust will not only destroy the life that exists now but its radioactive
fallout will make this planet unfit for life for all times. Scenarios based on theoretical calculations predict a long
nuclear winter, as the radioactive waste will hang like a cloud in the earth’s atmosphere and will absorb the
sun’s radiation.
SECTION - B
Model Test Paper
Very Short Answer Type Questions :
1. From -rays, -rays and -rays select which are similar to X-rays.
Sol. -rays are similar to X-rays.
2. From -rays, -rays and -rays select which are similar in nature to cathode rays.
Sol. Cathode rays are stream of fast moving electrons (–1e0) so, -rays (i.e.m 0
–1e )
3. Define half life of a radioactive substance.
Sol. Half-life of a radioactive element is defined as the time in which the number of radioactive nuclei becomes half
of its initial value.
4. What are -particles?
Sol. -particles are doubly ionised helium atoms (or nuclei of helium).
5. Define the term ‘Activity’ of a radioactive substance.
Sol. The activity of a radioactive element at any instant is equal to its rate of decay at that instant.
6. How does the size of a nucleus depend on its mass number?
Sol. The radius (size) R of a nucleus is related to its mass number (A) as
R = R0 A1/3 where R0 = 1.1 × 10–15 m.
7. What is the order of the nuclear density?
Sol. 1017 kg/m3
8. What is the effect of temperature and pressure on the radioactivity?
Sol. Radioactivity is independent of temperature and pressure.
9. What are thermal neutrons?
Sol. Neutrons having energy about 0.025 eV are called thermal neutrons.
10. Define S.I. units of ‘activity’ of a radionuclide.
Sol. S.I. unit of activity is becquerrel.
7
11. Explain which one of given two nuclei 3X
and 3Y 4 is likely to be more stable.
4
Sol. In case of nucleus 3X7, ratio of neutron to proton = = 1.33
3
1
In case of nucleus 3Y4, ratio of neutron to proton =  0.33
3
N
A nucleus is more stable if the ratio of  1 . Therefore nucleus 3X7 is more stable.
Z
12. Binding energies of 8 O16 and 17 Cl

35
are 127.35 MeV and 289.3 MeV respectively. Which of the two nuclei
are more stable?
Sol. Stability of nucleus  B.E./nucleon
127.37
B.E./nucleon of 8O16 = = 15.29 MeV/nucleon
8
35
289.3
B.E./nucleon of 17Cl = = 17.02 MeV/nucleon
17
Since B.E./nucleon of 35 is more than that of 8O16, so 35
17Cl 17Cl nucleus is more stable.
13. Some atomic nuclei have the following structures :

(i) 8p + 8n
(ii) 8p + 9n
(iii) 18p + 22n
(iv) 20p + 20n
Out of these select the isotopes and isobars.
Sol. Isotopes posses same atomic number (Z) or same number of protons and so isotopes are (i) and (ii)
Isobars posses same number of nucleons but different number of protons. In (iii) and (iv) the number of nucleon
are 40 each
 (iii) and (iv) are isobars.
14. State with reason whether the following statement is true or false. “-particles are those electrons which are
orbiting around the nucleus”.
Sol. The statement is false, because -particles are emitted from nucleus due to disintegration of a neutron into a
proton according to equation
1
0n  1H1  1
0


15. Explain why in heavy nuclei the number of neutrons is more than number of protons.
Sol. In a nucleus there is coulomb’s repulsive force between protons in addition to a strong attractive nuclear force.
On the other hand, in case of neutrons within the nucleus, there is only a short range attractive nuclear force,
for heavy nuclei to be stable, the repulsive force must be less. This is possible only if the number of the
neutrons is more than the number of protons.
16. Prove that the instantaneous rate of change of the activity of a radioactive substance is inversely proportional
to the square of its half life.
dN
Sol. R    N
dt
dR  dN 
Rate of change of activity =   
dt dt 
= (–N) = –2N
loge 2

T1/2
2
dR  log 2 
  e  N
dt  T1/2 
dR 1
 Instantaneous activity dt  T 2
1/2
17. Explain why very high temperature is needed to initiate a nuclear fusion reaction.
Sol. When two nuclei fuse together, the process is called nuclear fusion. Two nuclei being positively charged repel
each other as they come closer to each other. To over come this force of repulsion for fusing together, these
two nuclei should have large kinetic energy. This large kinetic energy can be attained at a very high
temperature.
18. A neutron is absorbed by a 3Li6 nucleus with susequent emission of alpha particle. Write the corresponding
nuclear reaction.
1 6
Sol. 0 n  3 Li  2 He4  ZY A
0+3=2+ZZ=1
(conservation of atomic number)
1+6=4+AA=7–4=3
1 6
0 n  3 Li  2 He4  1H3
1
19. If the activity of a radioactive substance drops to th of its initial value in 40 years, find its half-life period.
6
t /T
A  1

A0  2 
Sol.
40/T
1  1

16  2 
4 40/T
 1  1
 2    2 
40
 4 or T = 10 years.
T
Long Answer Type Questions :
11
20. A radioactive sample contains 2.2 mg of pure 6C which has half-life period of 1224 seconds. Calculate
(i) The number of atoms present initially
(ii) The activity when 5 g of the sample will be left.
11
Sol. (i) Number of atoms is 2.2 mg = 2.2 × 10–3 g of 6C will be
2.2  103
=  6.023  1023 atoms
11
= 12.046 × 1019 atoms
(ii) Activity A = N
loge 2 loge 2
Half-life T1/2   
 T1/2
loge 2
A N
T1/2
N = number of atoms is 5 g
= 5 × 10–6 g which is equal to
5  106
=  6.023  1023
11
0.6931 5  106
 A=   6.023  1023
1224 11
= 1.55 × 1014
21. In a nuclear reactor, explain the role of
(i) Moderator (why is heavy water used as a moderator?)
(ii) Control rods (why are they made of cadmium?)
(iii) Delayed neutrons.
Sol. (i) The neutrons produced in fission have energies of the order of a few MeV. The probability for fission of
U235 by these fast neutrons is negligible compared to that by slow (thermal) neutrons. The role of the
moderator is to slow down neutrons for further fission of U235 and thus sustain a chain reaction. Now
energy loss of a neutron in a collision is maximum if it hits a nucleus of the same mass. Thus, ordinary
water (consisting of hydrogen atoms) can be used as an effective moderator. There is, however, one
problem. In a neutron-proton collision, there is a considerable chance of another process, namely absorption
of a neutron by a proton via the reaction; n  p  d   (d-deutron). To avoid this difficulty, one uses
heavy water as a moderator, which has negligible cross-section for neutron absorption.
(ii) For a controlled chain reaction, the average number of available neutrons should never exceed one per
fission. Any excess neutrons over this ‘critical limit’ should be absorbed. This is what the control rods
do. They are made of cadmium because cadmimum has a high probability for neutron absorption.
(iii) Some (about 0.01% of the total) of the neutrons produced in fission are delayed by a few second because
they are produced in subsequent decays of the initial fission fragments. This circumstance is crucial for
mechanical control of the reactor. If all the fission neutrons were produced instantly in fission, there would
be no time for the minute ajdustment required in a reactor to keep it critical.

Solutions (Set-2)
Objective Type Questions
(Atomic Masses and Composition of Nucleus)
1. Two nuclei which are not identical but have the same number of nucleons represent
(1) Isotones (2) Isobars (3) Isotopes (4) None of these
Sol. Answer (2)
Definition based. Fact.
2. The nuclei 6A13 and 7B14 can be described as

(1) Isotones (2) Isobars (3) Isotopes of carbon (4) Isotopes of nitrogen
Sol. Answer (1)
Number of neutrons in A = 13 – 6 = 7
Number of neutrons in B = 14 – 7 = 7
Hence, A and B are isotones.
(Size of the Nucleus)

3. The nuclear radius as compared to the atomic radius is of the order
(1) 10–3 (2) 10–5 (3) 10–7 (4) 10–9
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
135
4. Ratio of nuclear radii of Cs to 40Ca is
(1) 1.40 (2) 1.50 (3) 2.750 (4) 3.375
Sol. Answer (2)
r  A1/3
1/3
rCs ⎛ 135 ⎞
=⎜ ⎟
rCa ⎝ 40 ⎠
1/3
rCs ⎛ 27 ⎞ rCs 3
=⎜ ⎟  r =2
rCa ⎝ 8 ⎠ Ca
(Mass-Energy and Nuclear Binding Energy)

5. The atomic mass of 7N15 is 15.000108 a.m.u. and that of 8O16 is 15.994915 a.m.u. If the mass of a proton is
1.007825 a.m.u. then the minimum energy provided to remove the least tightly bound proton is
(1) 0.013018 MeV (2) 12.13 MeV (3) 13.018 MeV (4) 12.13 eV
Sol. Answer (2)
Energy + 8O16  7N15 + 1H1
Energy = [(MN + MH) – M0] c2 = [(15.000108+1.007825) – 15.994915] × 931.5 MeV
6. In a nuclear fusion reaction, if the energy is released then

(1) BEproducts = BEreactants
(2) BEreactants > BEproducts
(3) BEproducts > BEreactants
(4) Mass of product > Mass of reactant
Sol. Answer (3)
Product is more stable than reactant and hence has more binding energy.
7. The binding energy per nucleon for a 6C12 nucleus is

(Nuclear mass of 6C12 = 12.00000 a.m.u.
Mass of hydrogen nucleus = 1.007825 a.m.u
Mass of neutron = 1.008665 a.m.u)
(1) 2.675 MeV (2) 7.675 MeV (3) 0 MeV (4) 3.675 MeV
Sol. Answer (2)
m = 6mP + (12 – 6)mn – mN
mP = mass of proton, mn = mass of neutron, mN = mass of nucleus.
or m = 6 × 1.007825 + 6(1.008665) – 12
8. When two nuclei of mass X and Y respectively fuse to form a nucleus of mass m alongwith the liberation of
some energy, then
(1) X + Y > m (2) X – Y = m (3) X + Y = m (4) X + Y < m
Sol. Answer (1)
Mass reduces and is converted into energy in fusion reactions.
9. Consider the nuclear reaction X200  A110 + B90

If the binding energy per nucleon for X, A and B is 7.4 MeV, 8.2 MeV and 8.2 MeV respectively, then the
amount of the energy released is
(1) 200 MeV (2) 160 MeV
(3) 110 MeV (4) 90 MeV
Sol. Answer (2)
Initial BE = 7.4 × 200 MeV
Final BE = 8.2 × 110 + 8.2 × 90 MeV
 Energy release = Final – Initial
= (8.2 – 7.4) × 200 = 0.8 × 200
= 160 MeV
(Nuclear Force)
10. Which of the following pairs of particles cannot exert nuclear force on each other?
(1) Proton and electron (2) Neutron and electron (3) Electron and neutron (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (4)
Answer is all of these as electrons are not affected by nuclear forces at all.
11. The nuclear force between two nucleons is explained by
(1) Quark exchange theory (2) Meson exchange theory
(3) Photon exchange theory (4) Gravitation exchange theory
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
12. If Fpp , Fpn and Fnn are the magnitudes of nuclear force between proton-proton, proton-neutron and neutron-neutron
respectively, then
(1) Fpp = Fpn = Fnn (2) Fpp < Fpn = Fnn (3) Fpp > Fpn > Fnn (4) Fpp < Fpn < Fnn
Sol. Answer (1)
Nuclear force between all nucleons is the same.
(Nuclear Stability)
N
13. A heavy nucleus is unstable for any value of because
P
(1) Electrostatic repulsion dominate over nuclear attraction
(2) Nuclear repulsion dominate over nuclear attraction
(3) Nuclear forces are absent in heavy nucleus
(4) Nuclear force is long range force
Sol. Answer (1)
In heavy nuclei repulsion between the lots of protons in the nucleus makes the nucleus unstable.
(Radioactivity)
α
X  Y
14. A nucleus X undergoes following transformation then
Y  Z
2β
(1) X and Y are isotopes (2) X and Z are isobars (3) X and Y are isobars (4) X and Z are isotopes
Sol. Answer (4)
α
X ⎯⎯→ Y
 Y = X zm−−24
2β
Y ⎯⎯→ Z
 Z = X zm−−24+ 2
Hence, X and Z are isotopes.
15. A nucleus with Z = 92 emits the following in a sequence ,–,–, , , , , , –, –, +, , +, . The Z
of the resulting nucleus is
(1) 74 (2) 76 (3) 78 (4) 82
Sol. Answer (3)
Z = 92
If it goes through 8 alpha decays and two + decays

Hence, net decrease = 8 × 2 + 2 × 1 = 18 protons
Net increase is due to – decays = 4 × 1
Hence, final Z = 92 – 18 + 4 = 78
16. When 90Th228 gets converted into 83Bi212, then the number of - and -particles emitted will respectively be
(1) 4, 7 (2) 4, 1 (3) 8, 7 (4) 4, 4
Sol. Answer (2)
Initial nucleus = 90Th228
Mass reduces by = 228 – 212
= 16 nucleons
16
Hence, alpha particles released are = = 4 particles
4
This results in atomic number reduction by 2 × 4 = 8
212
Now nucleus after alpha decays = x82
After 1 decay Z increases by 1
 Number of decays = 83 – 82 = 1
Hence answer is 4  and 1  decays.
17. In the radioactive decay of an element it is found that the count rate reduces from 1024 to 128 in
3 minutes. Its half life will be
(1) 1 minute (2) 2 minute (3) 3 minute (4) 5 minute
Sol. Answer (1)
R 128
=
R0 1024
3
R 1 R ⎛ 1⎞
= or =⎜ ⎟
R0 8 R0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
 n=3
3 half lives in 3 minutes, 1 half life in 1 minute
18. If a radioactive material remains 25% after 16 days, then its half life will be
(1) 32 days (2) 8 days (3) 64 days (4) 28 days
Sol. Answer (2)
N ⎛ N ⎞
=⎜ ⎟
N0 ⎝ 4 × N ⎠
2
N ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
N0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
or n = 2
2 half lives in 16 days
 1 half life is in 8 days
19. The count rate of a radioactive source at t = 0 was 1600 count/s and at t = 8 s, it was 100 count/s. The count rate
(in counts) at t = 6 s was
(1) 150 (2) 200 (3) 300 (4) 400
Sol. Answer (2)
n
R ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
R0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
n
1 ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
16 ⎝ 2 ⎠
 n=4
 T1/2 = 2 s
3
R  1
  R  R0  1600  200
R0  2 
at t = 6 s,
8 8
20. The radioactivity of a sample is R1 at a time T1 and R2 at a time T2. If the half life of the specimen is T, the
number of atoms that have disintegrated in the time (T2 – T1) is proportional to
(1) (R1 T1 – R2T2) (2) (R1 – R2)
(3) (R1– R2)/T (4) (R1 – R2)T
Sol. Answer (4)
R1 = N1 R2 = N2
R1 − R2
N = N1 – N2 =
λ
(R1 − R2 )T  0.693 
∆N =   T 
0.693  
21. A radioactive sample at any instant has its disintegration rate 5000 disintegrations per minute. After 5 minute,
the rate is 1250 disintegrations per minute. The decay constant (per minute) is
(1) 0.8 ln 2 (2) 0.4 ln 2
(3) 0.2 ln 2 (4) 0.1 ln 2
Sol. Answer (2)
n
R ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
R0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
n
1250 ⎛ 1 ⎞
=⎜ ⎟
5000 ⎝ 2 ⎠
n
1 ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
4 ⎝2⎠
5
 n=2  T1/2 = = 2.5 minute
2
40
22. K isotope of potassium has a half life of 1.37 × 109 years and decays to an isotope of argon which is stable. In a
particular sample of moon rock, the ratio of potassium atoms to argon atoms was found to be 1 : 7. The age of the
rock, assuming that originally there was no argon present, is
(1) 4.11 × 109 year (2) 2.74 × 109 year (3) 5.48 × 109 year (4) 1.37 × 109 year
Sol. Answer (1)
T1/2 = 1.37 × 109 year
Ratio  Potassium : Argon = 1 : 7
1
Amount of Potassium left =
8
n
⎛ 1⎞ 1
⎜⎝ ⎟⎠ =
2 8
 n or number of half lives = 3
23. Two radioactive isotopes P and Q have half lives 10 minutes and 15 minutes respectively. Freshly prepared
samples of each isotope initially contain the same number of atoms. After 30 minutes, the ratio
number of atoms of P
will be
number of atoms of Q
(1) 0.5 (2) 2.0 (3) 1.0 (4) 3.0

Sol. Answer (1)
TP = 10 minute TQ = 15 minute
After 30 minute P has gone 3 half lives and Q = 2 half lives
3 2
⎛ 1⎞ ⎛ 1⎞
NP = N0 ⎜ ⎟ NQ = N0 ⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠ ⎝2⎠
NP : NQ = 1 : 2
NP
or = 0.5
NQ
24. In a radioactive decay let N be the number of residual active nuclei, D the number of daughter nuclei, R the rate
of decay and M the mass of active sample at any time t. Below are shown four curves.
N D
(i) (ii)
t t
(iii) (iv)
t
The correct ones are

(1) (i), (ii) and (iv) (2) (ii), (iii) and (iv) (3) (iii), (iv) and (i) (4) All of these
Sol. Answer (1)
Daughter nuclei increase exponentially Mass of active sample and number of active nuclei decreases expo-
nentially.
Rate decreases exponentially but since it is not shown as such (iii) is wrong.
25. A freshly-prepared radioactive source of half-life 2 h emits radiation of intensity which is 64 times the permissible
safe level. The minimum time after which it would be possible to work safely with this source is
(1) 6 h (2) 12 h
(3) 24 h (4) 128 h
Sol. Answer (2)
T1/2 = 2 hours
To work safely the number of reacting molecules must decrease by 64 times
n
⎛ 1⎞
N = N0 ⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠
n
N ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
N0 ⎝ 2 ⎠
n
1 ⎛ 1⎞
=⎜ ⎟
64 ⎝ 2 ⎠
n = 16
 Time it will take to T1/2 × 6 or 2 hours
26. The sample of a radioactive substance has 106 nuclei. Its half life is 20 s. The number of nuclei that will be
left after 10 s is nearly
(1) 1 × 105 (2) 2 × 105
(3) 7 × 105 (4) 11 × 105
Sol. Answer (3)
n
⎛ 1⎞
N = N0 ⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠
1
n=
2
⎛ 1 ⎞
N = 106 ⎜
⎝ 2 ⎟⎠
N  0.732 × 106
N  7 × 105
27. Half life of radioactive element depends upon

(1) Amount of element present
(2) Temperature
(3) Pressure
(4) The nature of the element
Sol. Answer (4)
Fact.
28. Neutrino is a particle which

(1) Has no charge and no spin
(2) Has no charge but has spin
(3) Is charged like an electron and has spin
(4) Has no charge but has mass nearly equal to that of a proton
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
29. Out of the following, which one is not emitted by a natural radioactive substance?
(1) Electrons
(2) Electromagnetic radiations
(3) Helium nuclei with charge equal to that of two protons
(4) Neutrons
Sol. Answer (4)
Fact.
30. A neutron strikes a 92U235 nucleus and as a result 36Kr93 and 56Ba140 are produced with
(1) -particle
(2) 1-neutron
(3) 3-neutron
(4) 2--particle
Sol. Answer (3)
In the reaction sum of atomic number remains the same but mass reduces by 3.
Hence 3 neutrons were produced.
31. In the equation
27 4 30
13 Al  2He  15 P X,
The correct symbol for X is

0 1 4 1
(1) 1e (2) 1H (3) 2 He (4) 0n
Sol. Answer (4)

Conserving mass and charge, net mass reduces by 1 by charge does not change. Hence, a neutron must
have been released.
(Nuclear Energy)
32. Nuclear energy is released in fusion reaction, since binding energy per nucleon is
(1) Smaller of fusion products than for fusing nuclei
(2) Same for fusion products as for fusing nuclei
(3) Larger for fusion products than for fusing nuclei
(4) Sometimes larger and sometimes smaller
Sol. Answer (3)
Since binding energy is larger for products than reactants.
33. In nuclear reactions we have the conservation of

(1) Mass only
(2) Energy only
(3) Momentum only
(4) Charge, total energy and momentum
Sol. Answer (4)
Fact.
34. -decay occurs when

(1) Pair annihilation takes place
(2) Energy is released due to conversion of neutron into proton
(3) Energy is released due to de-excitation of nucleus
(4) None of these
Sol. Answer (3)
Fact.
35. Heavy water instead of ordinary water is used as a moderator in nuclear reactor because ordinary water
(1) Cannot slow down neutron
(2) Absorbs neutrons
(3) Is expensive
(4) Accelerates neutron
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
36. In each fission of 92U235 energy of 200 MeV is released. How many acts of fission must occur per second to
produce a power of 1kW?
(1) 3.1 × 1013 (2) 1.3 × 1016 (3) 1.3 × 1015 (4) 3.1 × 1016
Sol. Answer (1)
Each fission 200 MeV is released
or energy released = 200 × 106 × 1.6 × 10–19 J
Power needed = 1000 W
1000
 Number of fission = = 3.1 × 1013
200 × 106 × 1.6 × 10 −19
37. If 1 g hydrogen is converted into 0.993 gm of helium in a thermonuclear reaction, the energy released in the
reaction is
(1) 63 × 107 J (2) 63 × 1010 J (3) 63 × 1014 J (4) 63 × 1020 J
Sol. Answer (2)
1 g hydrogen converted to 0.993 g helium.
m = 0.007g
m = 7 × 10–6 g
E = mC2
E = 7 × 10–6 × 9 × 1016 = 63 × 1010 J
38. Thermal neutrons are those whose energy is about

(1) 1 J (2) 0.03 eV (3) 1 MeV (4) 0.03 MeV
Sol. Answer (2)
Fact.
39. Control rods used in nuclear reactors are made of

(1) Stainless steel (2) Graphite (3) Cadmium (4) Plutonium
Sol. Answer (3)
Fact.


CLS Aipmt-19-20 XII Phy Study-Package-6 Level-1 Chapter-13

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

CLS Aipmt-19-20 XII Phy Study-Package-6 Level-1 Chapter-13

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Level - I

Very Short Answer Type Questions :

2. What exactly makes large nuclei unstable?

Sol. The electrostatic force dominates the nuclear force.

3. What holds nucleons together?

Sol. Nuclear force.

4. Which of the following will be affected by electric and magnetic fields?

Sol. (i) -rays

Sol. -rays, -rays, -rays

6. How is the half-life of a radioactive substance related to its decay constant?

7. What is Einstein’s mass-energy relation?

8. Is free neutron a stable particle?

Sol. Electron and proton have almost infinite life time.

Sol. 1 curie = 3.7 × 104 Rutherford.

Short Answer Type Questions :

The electron so produced is ejected out of the nucleus.

13. Calculate the energy equivalent of 1 amu in MeV.

= 1.66 × 10–27 × 3 × 108 × 3 × 108

16. Name the three essential components of a nuclear reactor.

Sol. (i) Fissionable material

(ii) Cadmium control rods

18. What are the properties of nuclear forces?

Sol. (i) Nuclear force is short range force.

(ii) Nuclear force is non-central force.

(iii) Nuclear force is charge independent.

(v) Nuclear force is a saturated force.

19. Define critical mass for nuclear chain reaction.

Sol. (i) -decay is given as :

In this case, initial ratio of

(ii) –-decay is given by

22. How many  and  particles are emitted when 92U

According to law of conservation of atomic number

Also, 238 = 230 + 4x

 2-particles and 2-particles are emitted.

24. What do you understand by probability of disintegration of a radioactive substance?

undecayed nuclei after time t.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Still another example is

Ebn for A = 240 nucleus is about 7.6 MeV,

 Gain in binding energy for nucleon is about 0.9 MeV.

Binding energy per nucleon (MeV)

33. (i) Discuss the source of steller energy.

(ii) Discuss radiation hazards.

e  e      1.02 MeV ...(ii)

4 11H  2e   42 He  2v  6   26.7 MeV

or (4 11H  4e  )  ( 42 He  2e  )  2v  6   26.7 MeV

34. Discuss alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay.

(a helium nucleus, 42 He ). For example, when 238

36. What do you mean by Q-value of nuclear reaction?

(i) Nuclear fission and

(ii) Nuclear fusion

Fig. The binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number.

Binding energy per nucleon (MeV)

(i) Prone to fusion, A < 10

(ii) Prone to fission, A > 240

(iii) Most stable, 170 > A > 30

43. What do you understand by nuclear holocaust?

Very Short Answer Type Questions :

Sol. -rays are similar to X-rays.

3. Define half life of a radioactive substance.

5. Define the term ‘Activity’ of a radioactive substance.

6. How does the size of a nucleus depend on its mass number?