PHY 332 Atomic and Nuclear Energy

Tutorial Questions
Q1. (a) Give the other name for these radioactive decays (i) ejected anti-beta particle (ii)
ejected energy (iii) ejected electron.

Ans:

(b) What do we mean by saying an (i) excited electron and an (ii) de-excited electron?

Ans: An electron is in excited states means that energy is absorbed and therefore a photon
is absorbed. An electron is in de-excited states means that energy is released and
therefore a photon is released.

(c) Define binding energy

Ans: Binding energy is the amount of energy required to separate a particle from a system
of particles or to disperse all the particles of the system.

(d) State one application of Gamma decay and differentiate between nuclear reactor and
nuclear bomb. Bonus:

Ans: Gamma decay is the nucleus’s way of dropping from a higher energy level to a lower
energy level through the emission of high energy photons. A nuclear reactor is a power
plant, which uses nuclear fission to eventually generate electricity. A nuclear bomb is an
explosive device that can produce destructive substances and energy via nuclear
reactions. In nuclear reactor, the production of energy occurs under controlled and
moderated conditions whereas in a nuclear bomb, it is uncontrolled.
(e) In terms of radiation safeties do your research and explain: Time, Distance and shielding
principle and include Inverse square law where necessary in your explanation.

Ans:

Q2. What information does a radioactive element's half-life tell you about that element?

Ans:

Q3.Which of the following processes represents a gamma-decay?

(A) AXZ+r —> AXZ–1 + a + b           (B) AXZ —> 1n0 —> 3ZZ–2 + C
(C) AXZ —> AXZ + f                       (D) AXZ + e–1  —> AXZ–1 + g

Ans:
During the emission of a gamma radiation, both the mass number and the atomic
number remain the same. Hence the correct choice is C. 
Q4. The half-life of 215At is 100 μs . Calculate the time taken for the radioactivity of a sample
of 215At to decay to (1/16) th of its initial value.

Ans: To calculate the time taken for the radioactivity of a sample of 215 At,
We use this formula,
1 n
- N=No ()
2
Thus
No 1 n
-
16
=No ()
2
- N=4
t = nt1/2
t = 4 x 100
t=400 μs

Q5. The half-life of Zn-71 is 2.4 minutes. If one had 100.0 g at the beginning, how many
grams would be left after 7.2 minutes has elapsed?

Ans:
total timeof decay
half life=
half life

7.2
half life=
2.4
half life=3

(1/2)3 = 0.125 (the amount remaining after 3 half-lives)

100.0 g x 0.125 = 12.5 g remaining

Q6. If the half-life if Iridium-182 is 15 minutes, how much of a 1 gram sample is left after 45
minutes?

Ans
total time of decay
- half life=
half life
45 min
- half life=
15 min
- half life=3
1 1
After three half-lives it has been reduced by ( ) ^3 =
2 8
So after 45 minutes 1/8 x 1gram = 0.125grams remains.

Q7. The 4He nucleus has 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Find the mass defect and binding energy.
Ans
 1. a) Mass of component parts
m = 2p+2n
= 2(1.672623 x 10-27) + 2(1.674929 x 10-27)
m= 6.6950 x 10-27kg
Mass defect = 6.6950 x 10-27kg - 6.6447x 10-27kg
= 5.03 x 10-29kg
b) Binding energy using E =mc2
= [5.03 x 10-29kg] x [3 x 108]2
E = 4.53 x 10-12 Joules
c) Binding energy = 4.53 x 10-12 x 1.60 x 10-19
= 2.83 x 107 eV
[= 28.3 MeV]

Q8. How much energy would be released if 3 kilograms of mass were completely changed into
energy?

E=mc^2
E=3kg x [3x10^8]^2
E=2.7x10^17 Joules
Joules to electron-volts
2.7x10^17 Joules x 1eV/1.66x10^-19
=1.6875x10^36 eV

Q9. Which one of the following isotopes would you expect to be stable? Why might each of the
others be unstable?
a) 232 Th
90 (Thorium-232):
b) 40K
19 (Potassium-40):
c) 12 C
6 (Carbon-12)
d) 14O
8 (Oxygen-14)
e) 14N
7 (Nitrogen-14)
Q10. A deuterium nucleus consists of one proton and one neutron. The mass of a deuterium nucleus
= 3.3435 x 10-27 kg. What is the binding energy of deuterium in joules? The mass of a proton = 1.6726
x 10-27 kg and the mass of a neutron = 1.6749 x 10 -27 kg.