Modern Physics - Ii: Theory and Exercise Booklet

MODERN PHYSICS - II
THEORY AND EXERCISE BOOKLET
CONTENTS
S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.
1. Nucleus ............................................................................................................. 3
2. Mass Defect ...................................................................................................... 4
3. Binding Energy .................................................................................................. 4
4. Radioactivity ................................................................................................... 4 – 5
5. Radioactive Decay .......................................................................................... 5 – 8
6. Nuclear stability ................................................................................................ 8
7. Nuclear Force .................................................................................................... 8
8. Radioactivity Decay ....................................................................................... 9 – 11
9. Nuclear Fission ................................................................................................ 12
10. Nuclear Fusion ............................................................................................... 12
11. Exercise -I .................................................................................................. 13 – 22
12. Exercise - II ................................................................................................ 23 – 25
13. Exercise - III ................................................................................................ 26 - 31
14. Exercise - IV .................................................................................................. 32
15. Exercise - V ................................................................................................ 33 - 38
16. Answer key ................................................................................................ 39 – 40
394,50 - Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Kota, Ph. No. : 93141-87482, 0744-2209671

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Page # 2 MODERN PHYSICS - 2
Syllabus :
Atomic nucleus; Alpha, beta and gamma radiations; Law of
radioactive decay; Decay constant; Half-life and mean life;
Binding energy and its calculation; Fission and fusion processes;
Energy calculation in these processes.
394,50-Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Kota, Ph. No. : 93141-87482, 0744-2209671

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MODERN PHYSICS - 2 Page # 3
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
It is the branch of physics which deals with the study of nucleus.

1. NUCLEUS :
(a) Discoverer : Rutherford
(b) Constituents : neutrons (n) and protons (p) [collectively known as nucleons]
1. Neutron : It is a neutral particle. It was discovered by J. Chadwick.
Mass of neutron,
mn = 1.6749286 × 10–27 kg
2. Proton : It has a charge equal to +e. It was discovered by Goldstein.
Mass of proton, mp = 1.6726231 × 10–27 kg
~
(mp  mn)
(c) Representation :
A
Z
XA or Z X
where X  symbol of the atom
Z  Atomic number = number of protons
A  Atomic mass number = total number of nucleons.
= no. of protons + no. of neutrons.
Atomic mass number :
It is the nearest integer value of mass represented in a.m.u (atomic mass unit)
1
1 a.m.u = [mass of one atom of 6C12 atom at rest and in ground state]
12
1.6603 × 10–27 kg ; 931.478 MeV/c2
mass of proton (mo) = mass of neutron (mn) = 1 a.m.u.
Some definitions :
(1) Isotopes :
The nuclei having the same number of protons but different number of neutrons are
called isotopes.
(2) Isotones :
Nuclei with the same neutron number N but different atomic number Z are called
isotones.
(3) Isobars :
The nuclei with the same mass number but different atomic number are called isobars
(d) Size of nucleus : Order of 10–15 m (fermi)
Radius of nucleus ; R = R0A1/3
where R0 = 1.1 × 10–15 m (which is an empirical constant)
A = Atomic mass number of atom.
(e) Density :
mass Am p Amp 3mp

density     3  1.67  10 –27
volume 4 3 4 1/ 3 3 4 R 3
  3  1017 kg / m 3
R (R 0 A ) 0
4  3.14  (1.1 10 –15 )3
3 3
Nuclei of almost all atoms have almost same density as nuclear density is independent of the
mass number (A) and atomic number (Z).

2. MASS DEFECT
It has observed that there is a differene between expected mass and actual mass of a
nucleus.
Mexpected = z mp + (A – Z) mn
Mobserved = Matom – Zme
It is found that
Mobserved < Merxpected
Hence, mass defect is defined as
Mass defect = Mexpected – Mobserved
m = [Zmp + (A – Z)mn – [Matom – Zme]
3. BINDING ENERGY
It is the minimum energy required to break the nucleus into its constituent particles.
or
Amount of energy released during the formation of nucleus by its constituent particles and
bringing them from infinite separation.
Binding Energy (B.E.) = mc2
BE = m (in amu) × 931.5 MeV/amu
= m × 931.5 MeV
= m × 931 MeV
Note : If binding energy per nucleon is more for a nucleus then it is more stable.
For Example
 B.E1   B.E 2 
   
If  A  A 
 1   2 
then nucleus 1 would be more stable.
3.1 Variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number :

The binding energy per nucleon first increases on
an averge and reaches a maximum of about 8.7 B.E.
MeV for A. 50  80. For still heavier nuclei, the A
56
26Fe
binding energy per nucleon 8.8 MeV
slowly decreases as A increases.
Binding energy per nucleon is maximum for 26Fe56,
which is equal to 8.8 MeV. Binding energy per
nucleon is more for medium nuclei than for heavy
nuclei. Hence, medium nuclei are highly stable. 56
A
• The heavier nuclei being unstable have tendency to split into medium nuclei. This process is
called Fission.
• The Lighter nuclei being unstable have tendency to fuse into a medium nucleus. This process
is called Fusion.
4. RADIOACTIVITY :
It was discovered by Henry Becquerel.
Spontaneous emission of radiations (, , ) from unstable nucleus is called radioactivity.
Substances which shows radioactivity are known as radioactive substance.
Radioactivity was studied in detail by Rutherford.
In radioactive decay, an unstable nucleus emits  particle or  particle. After emission of  or
 the remaining nucleus may emit - particle, and converts into more stable nucleus.
- particle :
It is a doubly charged helium nucleus. It contains two protons and two neutrons.
Mass of  - particle = Mass of 2He4 atom – 2me = 4 mp
Charge of  - particle = + 2e

-particle :
(a) – (electron) :
Mass = me ; Charge = – e
+
(b)  (positron)
Mass = me ; Charge = + e
positron is an antiparticle of electron.
Antiparticle :
A particle is called antiparticle of other if on collision both can annihilate (destroy completely)
and converts into energy. For example : (i) electron (–e, me) and positron (+e, me) are anti
particles, (ii) neutrino () and antineutrino (  ) are anti particles.
-particle : They are energetic photons of energy of the order of Mev and having rest mass zero.
5. RADIOACTIVE DECAY (DISPLACEMENT LAW) :

5.1  - decay :
Z XA  Z–2 Y A – 4  2 He 4  Q
Q value : It is definied as energy released during the decay process.
Q value = rest mass energy of reactans – rest mass energy of products.
This energy is available in the form of increase in K.E. of the products
A Y + 2He4 + Q
zX
Z-electrons
Z-electrons
 particle
(it has charge + 2e)
Let, Mx = mass of atom zXA
My = mass of atom z – 2YA – 4
MHe = mass of atom 2He4
Q value = [(Mx – Zme) – {(My – (Z – 2)me) + (MHe – 2me)}] c2
= [Mx – My – MHe] c2
Considering actual number of electrons in  - decay
Q value = [Mx – (My + 2me) – (MHe – 2me)] c2
= [Mx – My – MHe]c2
Calculation of Kinetic energy of final products :

As atom X was initially at rest and no external forces are acting, so final momentum also has
to be zero.
Hence both Y and  - particle will have same momentum in magnitude but in opposite
direction.
p p
Y 
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2
p 2  p Y 2mT = 2 mY TY (Here we are representing T for kinetic energy)
Q = Ty + T mT = mYTy
mY m
T  Q ; TY  Q
m  m Y m  m Y
A–4 4
T  Q ; TY  Q
A A
From the above calculation, one can see that all the -
particles emitted should have same kinetic energy. Hence, 
if they are passed through a region of uniform magnetic
field having direction perpendicular to velocity, they should r v B
move in a circle of same radius.
mv mv 2Km
r  
qB 2eB 2eB
Experimental Observation :
Experimentally it has been observed that all the
-particles do not move in the circle of same ra-
dius, but they
move in 'circles having different radii.
This shows that they have different kinetic energies. But it is also observed that they follow
circular paths of some fixed values of radius i.e. yet the energy of emitted -particles is not
same but it is quantized. The reason behind this is that all the daughter nuclei produced are
not in their ground state but some of the daughter nuclei may be produced in their excited
states and they emits photon to aquire their ground state.
X Y* (excited state)    Q
Y + photon ( particle)
The only difference between Y and Y* is that Y* is in excited state and Y is in ground state.
Let, the energy of emited - particles be E
 Q = T + TY + E
where Q = [Mx – MY – MHe] c2
T + TY = Q – E
mY m
T  (Q – E ) ; TY  (Q – E )
m  m Y m  mY
5.2 – – decay :
z X A  Z 1 Y A  –1 e 0  Q
–1 e 0 can also be written as –1 0

Here also one can see that by momentum and energy conversion, we will get
mY me
Te  Q TY  Q
me  m Y , me  m Y

as me << mY, we can consider that all the energy is taken away by the electron. From the
above results, we will find that all the -particles emitted will have same energy and hence
they have same radius if passed through a region of perpendicular magnetic field. But,
experimental observations were completely different. On passing through a region of uniform
magnetic field perpendicular to the velocity, it was observed that -particles take circular
paths of different radius having a continuous spectrum.
–
To explain this, Paulling has introduced the extra particles called neutrino and antineutrino
(antiparticle of neutrino).
  antineutrino,  neutrino
Propeties of antineutrino (  ) & neutrino (n) :
(1) They are like photons having rest mass = 0
speed = c
Energy, E = mc2
(2) They are chargeless (neutral)
1
(3) They have spin quantum number, s = ±
2
Considering the emission of antineutrino, the equation of – - decay can be written
as
Z X A  z 1 Y A  1 e 0  Q  
Production of antinuetrino along with the electron helps to explain the continueous spec-
trum because the energy is distributed randomly between electron and  and it also helps
to explain the spin quantum number balnace (p, n and ± e each has spin quantium number
± 12)
During – - decay, inside the nucleus a neutron is converted to a proton with emission of an
electron and antineutrino.
n  p  –1 e 0  
Let, Mx = mass of atom zXA
MY = mass of atom z + 1YA
me = mass of electron
Q value = [(Mx – Zme) – {(MY – (z + 1)me) + me}] c2 = [Mx – MY] c2
Considering actual number of electrons.
Q value = [Mx – {(MY – me) + me}] c2 = [Mx – My ]c2
5.3 + – decay :
Z X A  Z – 1 Y A  1 e 0    Q
In + decay,inside a nucleus a proton is converted into a neutron, positron and neutrino.
p  n  1 e 0  
As mass increases during conversion of proton to a neutron, hence it requires energy for +
decay to take place,
 + decay is rare process. It can take place in the nucleus where a proton can take energy
from the nucleus itself.
Q value = [(MX – Zme) – {(MY – (Z – 1) me) + me}] c2 = [MX – MY – 2me] c2
Considering actual number of electrons.
Q value = [MX – {(MY + me) + me}] c2 = [MX – MY – 2me] c2

5.4 K capture :
It is rare process which is found only in few nucleus. In
this process the nuclues captures one of the atomic
electrons from the K shell. A proton in the nucleus
combines with this electron and converts itself into a
neutron. A neutrino is also emitted in the process and is
emitted from the nucleus. N
0
p  –1 e  n  
If X and Y are atoms then reactions is written as :
K shell
A A
z X  z –1 Y    Q
+ characteristic x-rays of Y..
If X and Y are taken as nucleus, then reactions is written as :
z X A  –1 e 0  z –1 Y A  
Note : (1) Nuclei having atomic numbers from Z = 84 to 112 shows radioactivity.
(2) Nuclei having Z = 1 to 83 are stable (only few exceptions are there)
(3) Whenever a neutron is produced, a neutrino is also produced.
(4) Whenever a neutron is converted into a proton, a antineutrino is produced.
6. NUCLEAR STABILITY :
Figure shows a plot of neutron number N versus proton number Z for the nuclides found in
nature. The solid line in the figure represents the stable nuclides. For light stable nuclides,
the neutron number is equal to the proton number so that ratio N/Z is equal to 1. The ratio N/
Z increases for the heavier nuclides and becomes about 1.6 for the heaviest stable nuclides.
N
 1. 6 N
no. of Z 1
proton (N) N N
Z
 
Z  Z  stable
( shows  – decay )
N  N
Stability Curve
 
Z  Z'  stable
( shows  + decay )
no. of proton (Z)

The points (Z, N) for stable nuclides fall in a rather well-defined narrow region. There are
nuclides to the left of the stability belt as well as to the right of it. The nuclides to the left of
the stability region have excess neutrons, whereas, those to the right of the stability belt
have excess protons. these nuclides are unstble and decay with time according to the laws
of radioactive disintegration. Nuclides with excess neutrons (lying above stability belt) show
– decay while nuclides with excess protons (lying below stability belt) show + decay and K
- capture.
7. NUCLEAR FORCE :
(i) Nuclear forces are basically attractive and are responsible for keeping the nucleons bound
in a nucleus in spite of repulsion between the positively charge protons.
(ii) It is strongest force with in nuclear dimensions (Fn – 100 Fe)
(iii) It is short range force (acts only inside the nucleus)
(iv) It acts only between neutron-neutron, neutron-proton and proton-proton i.e. between nucleons.
(v) It does not depend on the nature of nucleons
(vi) An important property of nuclear force is that it is not a central force. The force between
a pair of nucleons is not solely determined by the distance between the necleons. For
example, the nuclear force depends on the directions of the spins of the nucelons. The force
is stronger if the spins of the nucleons are parallel (i.e., both nucleons have ms = +1/2 or –1/2)
and is weaker if the spins are antiparallel (i. e., one nucleon has
ms = +1/2 and the other has ms = – 1/2). Here ms is spin quantum number.

8. RADIOACTIVE DECAY : STATISTICAL LAW :

(Given by Rutherford and Soddy)
Rate of radioactive decay  N
where N = number of active nuclei =  N
where  = decay constant of the radioactive substance.
Decay constant is different for different radioactive substances, but it does not depend on
amount of substances and time.
SI unit of  is s–1
If 1 > 2 then first substance is more radioactive (less stable) than the second one.
For the case, if A decays to B with decay constant 
A 

B
t=0 N0 0 where N0 = number of active nuclei of A at t = 0
t=t N N'where N = number of active nuclei of A at t = t
dN
Rate of radioactive decay of A = –  N
dt
N t
dN
–   dt  N = N e–t (it is exponential decay)

N0
N 0
0
N'  N0 – N
N
N0
N0
t
t
Number of nuclei decayed (i.e., the number of nuclei of B formed)
N'  N0 – N  N0 – N0 e – t
N'  N0 (1 – e – t )
8.1 Half life (T1/2) :
It is the time in which number of active nuclei becomes half.
N  N0 e – t
N0
After one half life, N
2
N0 ln 2 0.693
 N0 e –  t  t=   t 1/ 2
2  
ln 2 0.693
t1 / 2 
 (to be remembered)
 
Number of nuclei present after n half lives i.e. after a time t = n t1/2
ln 2
N  N0 e – t = N0 e –  nt1/ 2 = N e – n 
0
(– n ) –n
N0
 N0 e ln 2  N 0 ( 2)  N0 (1/ 2)n =
2n
t
{n = t . It may be a fraction, need not to be an integer}
1/ 2
2 3 n
after 1st N0 2  1 3  1 n  1
or N0     N0    N0   ..................  N0  
half life 2 2 2 2

8.2 Activity :
Activity is defined as rate of radioactive decay of nuclei
It is denoted by A or R A=N
If a radioactive substance changes only due to decay then
dN
A–
dt
As in that case, N = N0 e–t
A  N  N0 e – t  A  A 0 e – t
SI unit of activity : becquerel (Bq) which is same as 1 dps (disintegration per second)
The popular unit of activity is curis which is defined as
1 curie = 3.7 × 1010 dps (which is activity of 1 gm Radium)
specific activity : The activity per unit mass is called specific activity.
8.3 Average Life :


– t
sum of ages of all the nuclei

 N e
0
0 dt.t
1
Tavg   
N0 N0 
Ex.17 A radioactive nucleus can decay be two different processes. The half-life for the first
process is t1 and that for the second process is t2. Show that the effective half-life t
of the nucleus is given by
1 1 1
 
t t1 t 2
Sol. The decay constant for the first process is  1  ln 2 and for the second process it is
t1
ln 2
2  . The probability that an active nucleus decays by the first process in a time
t1
interval it is 1 dt. Similarly, the probability that it decays by the second process is 2 dt.
The probability that it either decays by the first process or by the second process is 1 dt
+ 2 dt. If the effective decay constant is , this probability is also equal to  dt. Thus
dt = 1dt + 2 dt
or,  = 1 + 2
1 1 1
or,   (To be remembered)
t t1 t 2
Ex.18 A factory produces a radioactive substance A at a constant rate R which decays with
a decay constant  to form a stable substance. Find (i) the no. of nuclei of A and (ii)
Number of nuclei of B, at any time t assuming the production of A starts t = 0. (iii)
Also find out the maximum number of nuclei of 'A' present at any time during its
formation.
Sol. Factory R A 

B
cons tan t decay
Let N be the number of nuclei of A at any time t
N t
dN dN
  R – N   dt 
dt 0
R – N 0
On solving we will get
N = R/ (1 – e–t)
(ii) Number of nuceli of B at any time t, NB = R t – NA = Rt – R/ (1 – e–t) = R/ (t – 1 + e–t)
R
(iii) Maximum number of nuclei of 'A' present at any time during its formation =


Ex.19 A radioactive substance "A" having N0 active nuclie at t = 0, decays to another radio-
active substance "B" with decay constant 1. B further decays to a stable substance
'C' with decay constant 2. (a) Find the number of nuclei of A, B and C after time t, (b)
What would be answer of part (a) if 1  2 and 1  2
Sol. The decay scheme is as shown
1 2
A  B   C ( stable)
t = 0 N0 0 0
t N1 N2 N3
Here N1, N2 and N3 represent the nuclei of A, B and C at any time t.
For A, we can write
N1  N0 e – 1t ...(1)
For B, we can write
dN2
  1N1 –  2N2 ...(2)
dt
dN2
or,   2N2 –  1N1
dt
This is a linear differential equation with integrating factor
I.F.  e  2 t
dN2
e  2t  e  2t  2N2   1N1e  2 t
dt
 2t
 d(N e2 )  1N1e  2 t dt

N2 e  2 t   1N0 e – 1t e  2 t dt
 ...using (1)
e (  2 – 1 ) t
N2 e  2 t   1N0 C ...(3)
 2 – 1
 1N0
At t = 0, N2 = 0 0 C
 2 – 1
1N0
Hence C   – 
1 2
Using C in eqn. (3), we get

1N0
N2  (e – 1t – e –  2 t )
 2 – 1
and N1 + N2 + N3 = N0
 N3 = N0 – (N1 + N2)
1N0
(b) For 1 >> 2 N2  (– e –  2 t ) = N e –  2 t
– 1 0
 1N0 – 1t
For 1 << 2 N2  (e ) = 0
2

9. NUCLEAR FISSION :
In nuclear fission heavy nuclei of A, above 200, break up into two or more fragments of
comparable masses. The most attractive bid, from a practical point of view, to achieve
energy from nuclear fission is to use 92U236 as the fission material. the technique is to hit a
uranium sample by sample by slow moving neutrons (kinetic energy  0.04 eV, also called
thermal neutrons.) A92 U235 nucleus has large probability of absorbing a slow neutron and
forming 92U236 nucleus. This nucleus then fissions into two parts. A variety of combinations of
the middle-weight nuclei may be formed due to the fission. For example, one may have
92 U235  0 n1 92 U236  X  Y  20 n1 ,
or 92 U235  0 n1  92 U236  X' Y'20 n1

and a number of other combinations.
• On an average 2.5 neutrons are emitted in each fission event.
• Mass lost per reaction 0.2 a.m.u.
• In nuclear fission the total B.E. increases and excess energy is released.
• In each fission event, about 200 MeV of energy is released a large part of which appears in
the form of kinetic energies of the two ragements. Neutrons take away about 5 MeV.
235
Ex. 92 U  0 n1 92
236
U 141 92 1
56 Ba  36 Kr  3 0 n  energy
Q value = [(MU – 92 me + mn) – {(MBa – 56 me) + (MKr – 36 me) + 3mn}] c2

= [(MU + mn) – (MBa + MKr + 3mn)] c2
• A very important and interesting feature of neutron-induced fission is the chain reaction. For
working of nuclear reactor refer your text book.
10. NUCLEAR FUSION (THERMO NUCLEAR REACTION) :

(a) Some unstable light nuclei of A below 20, fuse together, the B.E. per nucleon in-
creases and hence the excess energy is released. The easiert thermonuclear reaction
that can be handled on earth is the fusion of two deuterons (D – D reaction) or fusion
of a deuteron with a triton (D – T reaction).
1 H2  1 H2  2 He3  0 n1  3.3 MeV(D  D)

2 2
Q value = [ 2((MD – m e ) – {(MHe 3 – 2m e )  m n }]c  [2MD – (MHe3  m n )]c
1 H2 1 H2 1 H3  1 H1  4.0 MeV (D – D)
Q value = [2(MD – m e ) – {(MT – m e )  (MH – m e )}]c 2 = [2MD – (MT + MH)]c2
1 H2 1 H3  2 He 4  n  17.6 MeV (D – T )
2 2
Q value = [{(MD – m e )  (MT – m e )} – {(MHe 4 – 2m e )  m n }] c  [(MD  MT ) – (MHe 4  m n )]c
Note
• In case of fission and fusion, m = matom= mnucleus
• These reactions take place at ultra high temperature (  107 to 108). At high pressure it
can take place at low temperature also. For these reactions to take place nuclei should be
brough upto 1 fermi distance which requires very high kinetic energy.
• Energy released in fusion exceeds the energy liberated in the fission of heavy nuclei.

Exercise - I (OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS )
1. Let u be denote one atomic mass unit. One Which of these is most stable.
atom of an element of mass number A has mass
exactly equal to Au. (A) 24 He, (B) 73 Li, (C) 12
6 C (D) 14
7 N
(A) for any value of A 10. The following nuclear reaction is an example
(B) only for A = 1
(C) only for A = 12 of 12 4 16
6 C + 2 H  8 O + energy
(D) for any value of A provided the atom is stable (A) fission (B) fusion
2. The surface area of a nucleus varies with (C) alpha decay (D) beta decay
mass number A as
11. The rest mass of the deuteron, 12 H , is
(A) A2/3 (B) A1/3
(C) A (D) None equivalent to an energy of 1876 MeV, the rest
mass of a proton is equivalent to 939 MeV and
3. Consider the nuclear reaction that of a neutron to 940 MeV. A deuteron may
X200  A110 + B90 disintegrate to a proton and a neutron if it :
If the binding energy per nucleon for X, A and B (A) emits a  - ray photon of energy 2 MeV
is 7.4 MeV, 8.2 MeV and 8.2 MeV respectively, (B) captures a  - ray photon of energy 2 MeV
what is the energy released? (C) emits a  - ray photon of energy 3 Me V
(A) 200 MeV (B) 160 MeV (D) captures a -ray photon of energy 3 MeV
(C) 110 MeV (D) 90 MeV
12. In an -decay the Kinetic energy of  particle
4. The binding energy per nucleon for C12 is 7.68 is 48 MeV and Q-value of the reaction is 50 MeV.
MeV and that for C13 is 7.5 MeV. The energy The mass number of the mother nucleus is :
required to remove a neutron from C13 is (Assume that daughter nucleus is in ground state)
(A) 5.34 MeV (B) 5.5 MeV (A) 96 (B) 100
(C) 9.5 MeV (D) 9.34 MeV (C) 104 (D) none of these
5. The binding energies of nuclei X and Y are E1 13. In the uranium radioactive series the initial
and E2 respectively. Two atoms of X fuse to give nucleus is 92U238, and the final nucleus is 82Pb206.
one atom of Y and an energy Q is released. Then When the uranium nucleus decays to lead, the
(A) Q = 2E1 – E2 (B) Q = E2 – 2E1 number of -particles emitted is.. and the number
(C) Q = 2E1 + E2 (D) Q = 2E2 + E1 of - particles emitted ...
6. If each fission in a U235 nucleus releases 200 (A) 6, 8 (B) 8, 6
MeV, how many fissions must occurs per second (C) 16, 6 (D) 32, 12
to produce a power of 1 K W 14. A certain radioactive nuclide of mass number
(A) 1.325 × 1013 (B) 3.125 × 1013 mx disintegrates, with the emission of an electron
13
(C) 1.235 × 10 (D) 2.135 × 1013 and  radiation only, to give second nuclied of
7. A star initially has 1040 deutrons. It produces mass number my. Which one of the following
energy via, the processes 1H2 + 1H2  1H3 + p equation correctly relates mx and my ?
& 1H2 + 1H3  2He4 +n. If the average power (A) my = mx + 1 (B) my = mx – 2
radiated by the star is 1016 W, the deuteron (C) my = mx – 1 (D) my = mx
supply of the star is exhausted in a time of the 15. The number of  and  –– emitted during the
order of :
226
(A) 106 sec (B) 108 sec radioactive decay chain starting from 88 Ra and
12
(C) 10 sec (D) 1016 sec 206
ending at 82 Pb us
8. The binding energies of the atom of elements –
(A) 3 & 6 (B) 4 & 5 –
A & B are Ea & Eb respectively. Three atom of
(C) 5 & 4 – (D) 6 & 6 –
the element B fuse to give one atom of element
A. This fusion process is accompained by release 16. Binding energy per nucleon vs. mass number
of energy e. Then Ea, Eb are related to each curve for nuclei is shown in the figure. W, X, Y
other as and Z are four nuclei indicated on the curve. The
(A) Ea + e = 3Eb (B) Ea = 3Eb process that would release energy is
(C) Ea – e = 3Eb (D) Ea+3Eb+e=0
9. The binding energies of the nuclei of 24 He, 73 Li,

12 14
6 C & 7 N are 28, 52, 90, 98 MeV respectively..

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 t1 – t 2 
8.5
Y
X (C) e  (D) e ( t1 – t 2 )
 
Binding Energy/nucleon
8.0
W
7.5 23. There are two radionuclei A and B. A is an
in MeV
alpha emitter and B is a beta emitter. Their
distintegration constants are in the ratio of 1 : 2.
5.0 Z
What should be the ratio of number of atoms of
two at time t = 0 so that probabilities of getting
 and  particles are same at time t = 0
30 60 90 120
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : 2 (C) e (D) e–1
Mass Number of Nuclei
24. The activity of a sample reduces from A0 to
(A) Y  2Z (B) W  X + Z A0 / 3 in one hour. The activity after 3 hours
(C) W  2Y (D) X  Y + Z
more will be
17. Two radioactive material A1 and A2 have decay
constants of 10 0 and 0. If initially they have A0 A0 A0 A0
(A) (B) (C) (D)
same number of nuclei, the ratio of number of 3 3 9 9 3 27
their undecayed nuclei will be (1/e) after a time
25. Half life of radium is 1620 years. How many
1 1 1
(A)  (B) 9  (C) 10 (D) 1 radium nuclei decay in 5 hours in 5 gm radium ?
0 0 0 (Atomic weight of radium = 223)
18. The radioactive sources A and B of half lives (A) 9.1 × 1012 (B) 3.23 × 1015
20
of 2 hr and 4 hr respectively, initially contain the (C) 1.72 × 10 (D) 3.3 × 1017
same number of radioactive atoms. At the end of 26. The activity of a sample of radioactive material
2 hours, their rates of disintegration are in the is A1 at time t1 and A2 at time t2 (t2 > t1). Its
ratio : mean life is T.
(A) 4 : 1 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 2 :1 (D) 1 : 1 A1 – A 2
(A) A1t1 = A2t2 (B) t – t = constant
19. In a RA element the fraction of initiated 2 1
amount remaining after its mean life time is :
(C) A 2  A 1e( t1 – t 2 )/ T (D) A 2  A 1e( t1 / Tt 2 )
1 1 1 1
(A) 1 – (B) (C) (D) 1 – 27. A fraction f1 of a radioactive sample decays
e e2 e e2
in one mean life, and a fraction f2 decays in one
20. 90% of a radioactive sample is left undecayed half-life.
after time t has elapsed. What percentage of the (A) f1 > f2 (B) f1 < f2 (C) f1 = f2
initialsample will decay in a total time 2t : (D) May be (A), (B) or (C) depending on the values
(A) 20% (B) 19% (C) 40% (D) 38 % of the mean life and half life.
21. A radioactive meterial of half-life T was 28. A radioactive substance is being produced at
produced in a nuclear reactor at different instants, a constant rate of 10 nucle is. The decay constant
the quantity produced second time was twice of of the substance is 1/2 sec–1. After what time
that produced first time. If now their present the number of radioactive nuclei will become 10?
activities are A1 and A2 respectively then their Initially there are no nuclei present. Assume decay
age difference equals : law holds for the sample.
(A) 2.45 sec (B) log (2) sec
T A1 A1
(A) ln 2 ln A (B) T ln A l
2 2 (C) 1.386 sec (D) sec
ln(2)
T A2 A2 29. The radioactivity of a sample is R1 at time T1
(C) ln2 ln 2A (D) T ln 2A and R2 at time T2. If the half life of the specimen
1 1
is T. Number of atoms that have disintegrated in
22. Activity of a radioactive substance is R1 at time (T2 – T1) is proportional to
time t1 and R2 at time t2(t2 > t1). Then the ratio (A) (R1T1 – R2T2) (B) (R1 – R2) T
(C) (R1 – R2)/T (D) (R1 – R2) (T1 – T2)
R2
30. The decay constant of the end product of a
R1 is :
radioactive series is
t2 (A) zero (B) infinite
(A) t (B) e –  ( t1  t 2 ) (C) finite (non zero)
1

(D) depends on the end product. of the rate of formation of Y against time would
31. At time t = 0, N1 nuclei of decay constant 1 look like
& N2 nuclei of decay constant 2 are mixed. The
decay rate of the mixture is :
 N1  –( 1 –  2 ) t (A) (B) (C)
(A) N1N2 e –( 1   2 ) t (B)   N  e
 2
t/s t/s t/s
–  1t – 2t –(1   2 ) t
(C) (N1 1e  N2  2 e ) (D)  N11 N2 2e
32. The half-life of 131I is 8 days. Given a sample

of 131I at time t = 0, we can assert that : (D) (E)
(A) no nucleus will decays before t = 4 days
t/s t/s
(B) no nucleus will decays before t = 8 days
(C) all nuclei will decays before t = 16 days 39. A radioactive substance is dissolved in a liquid
(D) a given nucleus may decay at any time after and the solution is heated. The activity of the
t = 0. solution
33. There are two radionuclie A and B. A is an (A) is smaller than that of element
alpha emitter and B is a beta emitter. Their (B) is greater than that of element
distintegration constants are in the ratio of 1 : 2. (C) is equal to that of element
What should be the ratio of number of atoms of (D) will be smaller or greater depending upon
two at time t = 0 so that probabilities of getting whether the solution is weak or concentrated
 and  particles are same at time t = 0. 40. In a certain nuclear reactor, a radioactive
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : 2 (C) e (D) e–1 nucleus is being produced at a constant rate =
34. A particular nucleus in a large population of 1000/s. The mean life of the radionuclide is 40
identical radioactive nuclei did survive 5 half lives min utes. A steady state, th e nu mber of
of that isotope. Then the probability that this radionuclide will be
surviving nucleus will survive the next half life : (A) 4 × 104 (B) 24 × 104
(C) 24 × 10 5 (D) 24 × 106
1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) 41. In the above question, if there were 20 ×
32 5 2
105 radionuclide at t = 0, then the graph of N v/
1 5 s t is
(D) (E)
10 2
35. A certain radio active substance has a half N N
life of 5 years. Thus for a particular necleus in a
sample of the element, the probability of decay (A) (B)
in ten years is t t
O O
(A) 50% (B) 75% (C) 100% (D) 60%
36. The half-life of substance X is 45 years, and
N N
it decomposes to substance Y. A sample from a
meteorite was taken which contained 2% of X (C) (D)
and 14% Y by quantity of substance. If substance
t t
Y is not normally found on a meteorite, what is O O
the approximate age of the meteorite?
(A) 270 years (B) 135 years 42. The half life of a neutron is 800 sec. 108
(C) 90 years (D) 45 years neutrons at a certain instant are projected from
one space station towards another space station,
37. A radioactive nuclide can decay simultaneously situated 3200 km away, with a velocity 2000 m/s.
by two different processes which have decay Their velocity remains constant during the journey.
constants  1 and  2 . The effective decay How many neutrons reach the other station?
constant of the nuclide is , then : (A) 50 × 106 (B) 25 × 106
(A)  = 1 + 2 (B)  = 1/2(1 + 1) (C) 80 × 10 5 (D) 25 × 105
1 1 1 43. A radioactive source in the form of a metal
(C)   (D)   1 2
 1  2 sphere of diameter 3.2 × 10–3 m emits -particle
at a constant rate of 6.25 × 1010 particle/sec.
38. The radioactive nucleus of an element X
The source is electrically insulated and all the -
decays to a stable nucleus of element Y. a graph

particle are emitted from the surface. The (B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and
potential of the sphere will riese to 1 V in time statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for
(A) 180  sec (B) 90  sec statement-1.
(C) 18  sec (D) 9  sec (C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
44. An energy of 24.6 eV is required to remove (D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
one of the electrons from a neutral helium atom. 47. Statement-1: Consider the following nuclear
The energy (ln eV) required to remove both the reaction of an unstable 146 C nucleus initially at
electrons from a neutral helium atom is :
rest. The decay 146 C  147N  01 e   . In a
(A) 38.2 (B) 49.2
(C) 51.8 (D) 79.0 nuclear reaction total energy and momentum is
conserved experiments show that the electrons
REASONING TYPE are emitted with a continuous range of kinetic
45. Statement-1: It is easy to remove a proton energies upto some maximum value.
40
from 20 Ca nucleus as compared to a neutron. Statement-2: Remaining energy is released as
thermal energy.
Statement-2: Inside nucleus neutrons are acted
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and
on only attractive forces but protons are also
statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
acted on by repulsive forces.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and
statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for
statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false. 48. Half life for certain radioactive element is 5
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true. min. Four nuclei of that element are observed at
a certain instant of time. After five minutes
46. Statement-1: It is possible for a thermal Assertion (A) : It can be definitely said that two
neutron to be absorbed by a nucleus whereas a nuclei will be left undecayed.
proton or an -particle would need a much larger Reasoning (R) : After half life i.e. 5 minutes, half
amount of energy for being absorbed by the same of total nuclei will disintegrate. So only two nuclei
nucleus. will be left undecayed. Then
Statement-2: Neutron is electrically neutral but (A) A is correct & R is correct explanation of A.
proton and -particle are positively charged. (B) Both are correct. But R is not correct
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and explanation of A.
statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1. (C) A is incorrect & R is correct.
(D) Both are incorrect.

Exercise - II (Multiple Choice Problems)

1. When a nucleus with atomic number Z and mass (B) 5 protons and 1 negative beta particle
number A undergoes a radioactive decay process : (C) 1 alpha particles and 2 gamma particles
(A) both Z and A will decrease, if the process is  (D) 1 alpha particle, 4 protons and 2 negative
decay
beta particles
(B Z will decrease but A will not change, if the
(E) 4 protons and 4 neutrons
process is  + decay
(C) Z will decrease but A will not change, if the 7. The instability of the nucleus can be due to
process is  – decay various causes. An unstable nucleus emits
(D) Z and A will remain unchanged, if the process radiations if possible of transform into less unstable
is  decay. state. Then the cause and the result can be
2. When the atomic number A of the nucleus (A) a nucleus of excess nucleons is active
increases (B) an excited nucleus of excess protons is – active
(A) initially the neutron-proton ratio is constant= 1 (C) an excited nucleus of excess protons is – active
(B) initially neutron-proton ratio increases and (D) an nucleus of excess neutrons is  – active
later decreases 8. In -decay, the Q-value of the process is E.
(C) initially binding energy per nucleon increases Then
and later decreases (A) K.E. of a -particle cannot exceed E.
(D) the binding energy per nucleon increases when (B) K.E. of anti neutrino emitted lies between
the neutron-proton ratio increases. Zero and E.
(C) N/Z ratio of the nucleus is altered.
3. Let mP be the mass of a proton, mn the mass
20
(D) Mass number (A) of the nucleus is altered.
of a neutron, M1 the mass of a 10 Ne nucleus and
9. Consider the following nuclear reactions and
M2 the mass of a40
20 Ca nucleus. Then select the correct statements from the options
that follow.
(A) M2 = 2M1 (B) M2 > 2M1
(C) M2 < 2M1 (D) M1 < 10 (mn + mp) Reaction I : n  p + e– + 
Reaction II : p  n + e+ + v
4. Which of the following statement(s) is(are) correct? (A) Free neutron is unstable, therefore reaction I
(A) The rest mass of a stable nucleus is less than is possible
the sum of the rest masses of its separated nucleons. (B) Free proton is stable, therefore reaction II is
(B) The rest mass of a stable nucleus is greater not possible
(C) Inside a nucleus, both decays (reaction I and
than the sum of the rest masses of its separated
II) are possible
nucleons.
(D) Inside a nucleus, reaction I is not possible
(C) In nulcear fusion, energy is released by fusion but reaction II is possible.
two nuclei of medium mass (approximately 100 amu).
10. When the nucleus of an electrically neutral
(D) In nulcear fission, energy is released by
atom undergoes a radioactive decay process, it
fragmentation of a very heavy nucleus. will remain neutral after the decay if the process is :
5. The graph shown by the side shows the (A)  decay (B)  – decay
variation of potential energy  of proton with its (C)  decay (D) K-capture
distance ‘r’ from a fixed sodium nucleus, as it 11. The decay constant of radio active substance
approaches the nucleus, placed at origin O. Then is 0.173 (years)–1. Therefore :
the portion. (A) Nearly 63% of the radioactive substance will
decay in (1/0.173) year.
(A) AB indicates nuclear repulsion
(B) half life of the radio active substance is
(B) AB indicates electrostatic repulsion (1/0.173) year.
(C) BC indicates nuclear attraction (C) one-forth of the radioactive substance will
(D) BC represents electrostatic interation be left after nearly 8 years.
(D) all the above statements are true.
6. A nitrogen nucleus 7N14
absorbs a neutron and can
B
transform i nto lith ium
A
nucleus 3Li7 under suitable
conditions, after emitting : t
O C
(A) 4 protons and 3 neutrons

Exercise - III (Subjective Problems)
Nuclear Physics The atomic masses needed are as follows :

19O 19F
1. Calculate the mass of an -particle. Its binding
energy is 28.2 MeV. 19.003576 u 18.998403 u
25Al 25Mg
2. Find the binding of 5260Fe. Atomic mass of 56Fe
24.990432 u 24.985839 u
is 55.9349 u and that of 1H is 1.00783 u. Mass of
neutron = 1.00867 u. 10. Find the maximum energy that a beta particle
can have in the following decay
3. Find the kinetic energy of the -particle
emitted in the decay 238Pu  234U + . The
176Lu 176Hf + e + v
atomic masses needed are as follows: Atomic mass of 176Lu is 175.942694 u and that
238Pu 234U 4H of 176Hf is 175.941420 u.
238.04955 u 234.04095 u 4.002603 u 11. Consider the beta decay
Neglect any recoil of the residual nucleus. 198Au 196Hg* +  – + v
4. How much energy is released in the following where 198Hg* represents a mercury nucleus in
reaction ? an excited state at energy 1.088 MeV above the
7Li + p  + 
ground state. What can be the maximum kinetic
Atomic mass of 7Li = 7.0160 u and that of 4He =
energy of the electron emitted ? The atomic mass
4.0026 u.
of 198Au is 197.968233 u and that of 198Hg is
5. 32P beta-decays to 32S. Find the sum of the 197.966760 u.
energy of the antineutrino and the kinetic energy
of the -particle. Neglect the recoil of the daughter 12. A uranium reactor develops thermal energy
nucleus. Atomic mass of 32P = 31.974 u and that at a rate of 300 MW. Calculate the amount of
235U being consumed every second. Average
of 32S = 31.972 u.
energy released per fission is 200 MeV.
6. Potassium- 40 can decay in three modes. It
can decay by  – -emission,  + -emission or 13. Calculate the Q-value of the fusion reaction
4He + 4He = 8Be.
electron capture. (a) Write the equations
showing the end products. (b) Find the Q-values Is such a fusion energetically favourable ? Atomic
in each of the three cases. Atomic masses of mass of 8Be is 8.0053 u and that of 4He is 4.0026 u.
40 40 40
18 Ar, 19 K and 20 C are 39.9624 u, 39.9640 u and 14. The binding energies per nucleon for deuteron
39.9626 u respectively. (1H2) and helium (2He4) are 1.1 MeV and 7.0 MeV
respectively. The energy released when two
7. 228Th emits an alpha particle to reduce to deuterons fuse to form a helium nucleus (2He4) is
224Ra. Calculate the kinetic energy of the alpha ____________.
particle emitted in the following decay. 15. Suppose that the Sun consists entirely of
228Th  224Ra* + 
hydrogen atom and releases the energy by the
224Ra*  224Ra + (217 keV).
nuclear reaction, 411H  42 He with 26 MeV of
Atomic mass of 228Th is 228.028726 u, that of
224Ra is 224.020196 u and that of 4He is 4.00260 energy released. If the total output power of the
2
u. Sun is assumed to remain constant at 3.9 × 1026
W, find the time it will take to burn all the
8. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of the hydrogen. Take the mass of the Sun as
beta particle emitted in the following decay 1.7 × 1030 kg.
scheme : 16. To positron is a fundamental particle with
12N  12C* + e+ + v
the same mass as that of the electron and with a
12C*  12C + (4.43 MeV)
charge equal to that of an electron but of opposite
The atomic mass of 12N is 12.018613 u. sign. When a positron and an electron collide,
they may annihilate each other. The energy
9. Calculate the Q-value in the following decays :
corresponding to their mass appears in two
(a) 19O  19F + e + v photons of equal energy. Find the wavelength of
(b) 25Al  25Mg + e+ + v the radiation emitted.

[Take: mass of electron = (0.5/C2)MeV and hC =

25. Radioactive 131I has a half-life of 8.0 days.
1.2 × 10–12 MeV.m where h is the Plank’s constant
A sample containing 131I has activity 20 µCi at t
and C is the velocity of light in air]
= 0. (a) What is its activity at t = 4.0 days ? (b)
17. When two deutrons (1H2) fuse to from a helium What is its decay constant at t = 4.0 days ?
nucleus 2He4, 23.6 MeV energy is released. Find
the binding energy of helium if it is 1.1 MeV for 26. The decay constant of 238U is 4.9 × 10–18
each nucleon of deutrim. s–1. (a) What is the average-life of 238U ? (b)
What is the half-life of 238U ? (c) By what factor
18. A + meson of negligible initial velocity decays
to a + (muon) and a neutrino. With what kinetic does the activity of a 238U sample decrease in 9
energy (in eV) does the muon move? (The rest × 109 years ?
mass of neutrino can be considered zero. The 27. Carbon (Z = 6) with mass number 11 decyas
rest mass of the + meson is 150 MeV and the to boron (Z = 5). (a) Is it a  +-decay or a  –
rest mass of the muon is 100 MeV.) Take neutrino decay ? (b) The half-life of the decay scheme is
to behave like a photon.
20.3 minutes. How much time will elapse before
Take = 2 = 1.41. a mixture of 90% carbon-11 and 10% born 11
19. Consider the following reaction; converts itself into a mixture of 10 % Carbon-11
2H + 2H = 4He + Q. and 90% Boron-11.
1 1 2
Mass of the deuterium atom = 2.0141u; Mass of 28. 238U decays to 206Pb with a half-life of 4.47
the helium atom = 4.0024 u × 109 y. This happens in a number of steps. Can
This is a nuclear _____ reaction in which the
you justify a single half-life for this chain of
energy Q is released is ______ MeV.
processes ? A sample of rock is found to contain
20. The activity of a radioactive sample falls from 2.00 mg of 238U and 0.600 mg of 206Pb. Assuming
600 s–1 to 500 s–1 in 40 minutes. Calculate its that all the lead has come from uranium. find the
half-life. life of the rock.
21. The number of 238U atoms in an ancient rock 29. Nuclei of radioactive element A are being
equals the number of 206Pb atoms. The half-life produced at a constant rate . The element has
of decay of 238U is 4.5 × 109 y. Estimate the a decay constant . At time t = 0, there are N0
age of the rock assuming that all the 206Pb atoms nuclei of the element.
are formed from the decay of 238U. (a) Calculate the number N of nuclie of A at time t.
(b) If  = 2N0, calculate the number of nuclei of
22. A radioactive decay counter is switched on A after one halflife of A & also the limiting value
at t = 0. A b - active sample is present near the of N as t .
counter. The counter registers the number of b -
particles emitted by the sample. The counter
registers 1 × 105 b - particles at t = 36 s and
1.11 × 105 b - particles at t = 108s. Find T1/2 of
this sample
40
23. An isotopes of Potassium 19 K has a half life
40
of 1.4 × 109 year and decays to Argon 18 Ar which
is stable.
(i) Write down the nuclear reaction representing
this decay.
(ii) A sample of rock taken from the moon contains
both potassium and argon in the ratio 1/7. Find
age of rock
24. At t = 0, a sample is placed in a reactor. An
unstable nuclide is produced at a constant rate R
in the sample by neutron absorption. This nuclide
 - decays with half life . Find the time required
to produce 80% of the equilibrium quantity of
this unstable nuclide.

Exercise - IV (TOUGH SUBJECTIVE PROBLEMS)
1. The kinetic energy of an  - particle which 7. U238 and U235 occur in nature in an atomic ratio
flies out of the nucleus of a Ra 226 atom in 140 : 1. Assuming that at the time of earth’s
radioactive disintegration is 4.78 MeV. Find the formation the two isotopes were present in equal
total energy evolved during the escape of the -
amounts. Calculate the age of the earth.
particle.
(Half life of u238 = 4.5 × 109 yrs & that of U235 =
2. A small bottle contains powdered beryllium Be 7.13 × 108 yrs)
& gaseous radon which is used as a source of -
8. An experiment is done to determine the half-
particles. Neutrons are produced when  -
particles of the radon react with beryllium. The life of radioactive substance that emits one -
yield of this reaction is (1/4000) i.e. only one - particle for each decay process. Measurement
particle out of 4000 induces the reaction. Find show that an average of 8.4  are emitted each
the amount of radon (Rn222) originally introduced second by 2.5 mg of the substance. The atomic
into the source, if it produces 1.2 × 106 neutrons weight of the substance is 230. Find the half life
per second after 7.6 days. [T1/2 of Rn = 3.8 days]
of the substance.
3. When thermal neutrons (negligible kinetic 9. A wooden piece of great antiquity weight 50
energy) are used to induce the reaction ;
10 1 7 4
gm and shows C14 activity of 320 disintegrations
5 B  0 H  3 Li  2 He .  – particles are emitted with per minute. Estimate the length of the time which
an energy of 1.83 MeV. has elapsed since this wood was part of living
Given the masses of boron neutron & He4 as tree, assuming that living plants show a C14
10.01167, 1.00894 & 4.00386 u respectively.
activity of 12 disintegrations per minute per gm.
7
What is the mass of 3 Li ? Assume that particles The half life of C14 is 5730 yrs.
are free to move after the collision.
248
10. The element Curium 96 Cm has a mean life of
4. Show that in a nuclear reaction where the 10 13 seconds. Its primary decay modes are
outgoing particle is scattered at an angle of 90° spontaneous fission and  decay, the former with
with the direction of the bombarding particle, the a probability of 8% and the latter with a probability
Q-value is expressed as of 92%. Each fission releases 200 MeV of energy.
 mP   m1  The masses involved in  decay are as follows :
Q = KP  1 M  – K1  1  M  248 248
 O  O 96 Cm = 248.0.072220 u, 96 Pu = 244.064100 u &
4
Where, I = incoming particle, P = product nucleus, He = 4.002603 u.
2
T = target nucleus, O = outgoing particle. Calculate the power output from a sample of 1020
Cm atoms. (1 u = 931 MeV/c2)
5. A body of mass m0 is placed on a smooth 11. A small quantity of solution containing 24Na
horizontal surface. The mass of the body is radionuclide (half life 15 hours) of activity 1.0
decreasing exponentially with disintegration microcurie is injected into the blood of a person.
constant . Assuming that the mass is ejected A sample of the blood of volume 1 cm3 taken
backward with a relative velocity u. Initially the after 5 hou rs shows an acti vity of 296
disintegrations per mimute. Deterimine the total
body was at rest. Find the velocity of body after
volume of blood in the body of the person. Assume
time t. that the radioactive solution mixes uniformly in
the blood of the person.
6.A radionuclide with disintegration constant  is (1 Curie = 3.7 × 1010 disintegrations per second)
produced in a reactor at a constant rate  nuclei
per sec. During each decay energy E0 is released. 12. At a given instant there are 25% undecayed
radio–active nuclei in a sample. After 10 sec the
20% of this energy is utilised in increasing the
number of undecayed nuclei remains to 12.5%.
temperature of water. Find the increase in Calculate :
temperature of m mass of water in time t. Specific (i) mean – life of the nuclei and
heat of water is S. Assume that there is no loss (ii) The time in which the number undecayed
of energy through water surface. nuclear will further reduce to 6.25% of the reduced
number.

Exercise - V JEE-Problems
1. Two radioactive materials X1 and X2 have decay rate equations for the populations of X, Y and Z.
constants 10  and  respectively. If initially they The population of Y nucleus as a function of time
have the same number of nuclei, then the ratio is given by Ny(t) = {N0x /(x – y)} [exp (–y t)
of the number of nuclei of X1 to that of X2 will be – exp (–x t)]. Find the time at which Ny is
1/e after a time. maximum and determine the populations X and Z
(A) 1/(10) (B) 1/(11) (C) 11/(10) (D)1/(9) at that instant. [JEE 2001]
[JEE’ 2000(Scr)] 7. The half-life of215 At is 100 s. The time taken
2. The electron emitted in beta radiation originates from for the radioactivity of a sample of215 At to decay
[JEE; 2001 (Scr)] to 1/16th of its initial value is [JEE 2002 (Scr)]
(A) inner orbits of atoms (A) 400 s (B)6.3 s (C) 40 s (D) 300 s
(B) free electrons existing in nuclei 8. Which of the following processes represents a
(C) decay of a neutron in a nucleus gamma-decay ? [JEE 2002 (Scr)]
(D) photon escaping from the nucleus
(A) A X Z    A X Z –1  a  b
A
3. A radioactive sample consists of two distinct (B) X Z 1 n 0  A – 3 X Z – 2  c
species having equal number atoms initially. The
A
mean life of one species is  and that of the other (C) XZ  AXZ  f
is 5. The decay products in both cases are stable. A
A plot is made of the total number of radioactive (D) X Z  e –1  A X Z –1  g
nuclei as a function of time. Which of the following 9. The volume and mass of a nucleus are related
figure best represents the form of this plot? as [JEE 2003 (Scr)]
[JEE 2001] (A) v  m (B) v  1/m
N
N (C) v  m2 (D) v  1/m2
10. The nucleus of element X (A = 220) undergoes
 - decay. If Q-value of the reaction is 5.5 MeV,
(A) (B) then the kinetic energy of -particle is :
t t [JEE 2003 (Scr)]
(A) 5.4 MeV (B) 10.8 MeV
(C) 2.7 MeV (D) None
N N 11. A radioactive sample emits n -particles in 2
sec. In next 2 sec it emits 0.75 n  - particles,
(C) (D) what is the mean life of the sample ?
[JEE 2003]
t t 12. A 280 days old radioactive substance shows
an activity of 6000 dps, 140 days later it’s activity
becomes 3000 dps. What was its initial activity.
4. In a nuclear reactor 235U undergoes fission [JEE 2004 (Scr)]
liberating 200 MeV of energy. The reactor has a (A) 20000 dps (B) 24000 dps
10% efficiency and produces 1000 MW power. If (C) 12000 dps (D) 6000 dps
the reactor is to function for 10 year. Find the
total mass of uranium required. [JEE 2001] 13. The age of rock containing lead and uranium
5. A nucleus at rest undergoes a decay emitting is equal to 1.5 × 109 years. The uranium is
an -particle de-Broglie wavelength,  = 5.76 × decaying into lead with half life equal to 4.5 ×
10–15 m. If the mass of the daughter nucleus is 109 years. Find the ratio of lead to uranium
223.610 amu and that of the -particle is 4.002 present in the rock, assuming initially no lead was
amu. Determine the total kinetic energy in the present in the rock. (Given 21/3 = 1.259).
final state. Hence obtain the mass of the parent [JEE 2004]
nucleus in amu. (1 amu = 931.470 MeV/c2) 14. Helium nuclie combines to form an oxygen
[JEE 2001] nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon of oxygen
6. A radioactive nucleus X decays to a nucleus Y nucleus is if m0 = 15.834 amu and mHe = 4.0026
with a decay constant x = 0.1 s–1, Y further amu
decays to a stable nucleus Z with a decay (A) 10.24 MeV (B) 0 Me V
constant y = 1/30 s–1. Initially, there are only X (C) 5.24 MeV (D) 4 Me V [JEE 2005 ]
nuclei and their number is N0 = 1020. Set-up the 15. In Young’s double slit experiment an electron
beam is used to form a fringe pattern instead of 21. Assume that the nuclear binding energy per
light. If speed of the electrons is increased then nucleon (B/A) versus mass number (A) is as shown
the fringe width will : [JEE’ 2005 (Scr)] in the figure. Use
(A) increase (B) decrease
B/A
(C) remains same 6
(D) no fringe pattern will be formed 6
4
16. Given a sample of Radium - 226 having half-
2
life of 4 days. Find the probability, a nucleus
0
disintegrates within 2 half lives. 100 200 A
[JEE 2006] this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given
(A) 1 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/4 below.
17. Match the following Columns Figure
[JEE 2006] (A) Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying
Column I Column II in the range 1 < A < 50 will release energy
(A) Nuclear fusion (P) Converts some matter (B) Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying
into energy in the range of 51 < A < 100 will release energy
(B) Nuclear fission (Q) Generally occurs for (C) Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range
nuclei with low atomic of 100 < A < 200 will release energy when broken
number into two equal fragments
(C)  - decay (R) Generally occurs for (D) Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range
nuclei with higher of 200 < A < 260 will release energy when broken
atomic number
into two equal fragments. [JEE 2008]
(D) Exothermic (S) Essentially proceeds
nuclear reaction by weak nuclear forces 22. A radioactive sample S1 having an activity
18. In the options given below, let E denote the 5Ci twice the number of nuclei as another sample
rest mass energy of a nucleus and n a neutron. S2 which as an activity of 10 C. The half lives of
The correct option is [JEE 2007] S1 and S2 can be [JEE 2008]
236 137 97 (A) 20 years and 5 years, respectively
(A) E 92 U   E I  E Y  2E(n)
53 39
(B) 20 years and 10 years, respectively.
236 137 97
(B) E 92 U  E I  E Y   2E(n)
53 39 (C) 10 years each
236 140 94 (D) 5 years each
(C) E 92 U  E Ba  E Kr   2E(n)
56 36
236 140 94 Paragraph for Questions 23 to 25
(D) E 92 U  E Ba  E Kr   2E(n)
56 36 Scientists are working hard to develop nuclear
2
1H ,
19. The largest wavelength in the ultraviolet fusion reactor. Nuclei of heavy hydrogen,
region of the hydrogen spectrum is 122 nm. The
known as deuteron and denoted by D, can be
smallest wavelength in the infrared region of the
thought of as a candidate for fusion reactor. The
hydrogen spectrum (to the nearest integer) is
2 2
[JEE 2007] D – D reaction is H  32 He + n energy. In
1 H 1
(A) 802 nm (B) 823 nm the core of fusion reactor, a gas of heavy
(C) 1882 nm (D) 1648 nm hydrogen is fully ionized into deuteron nuclei and
20. Some laws/processes are given in Column I. electrons. This collection of 12 H nuclei and electrons
Match these with the physical phenomena given
is known as plasma. The nuclei move randomly in
in Column II and indicate your answer by
the reactor core and occasionally come close
darkening appropriate bubbles in the 4×4 matrix
enough for nuclear fusion to take place. Usually,
given in the ORS.
the temperatures in the reactor core are too high
Column I Column II
and no material wall can be used to confine the
(A) Transition between (P) Characteristic
plasma. Special techniques are used which confine
two atomic energy levels X-rays
the plasma for a time t0 before the particles fly
(B) Electron emission from (Q) Photoelectric
away from the core. If n is the density (number/
a material effect
volume) of deuterons, the product nt0 is called
(C) Mosley’s law (R) Hydrogen
Lawson number. In one of the criteria, a reactor
spectrum
is termed successful if Lawson number is greater
(D) Change of photon energy (S)  - decay
than 5 × 1014 s/cm –3 .
into kinetic energy of electrons
It may be helpful to use the following: Boltzmann

constant k = 8.6 × 10–5 eV/K ; 27. The activity of a freshly prepared radioactive
e 2 sample is 1010 disintegrations per second, whose
= 1.44 × 10–9 eVm [JEE 2009] mean life is 109 s. The mass of an atom of this
4 0
radioisotope is 10–25 kg. The mass (in mg) of the
23. In the core of nuclear fusion reactor, the gas radioactive sample is [JEE 2011]
becomes plasma because of
(A) strong nuclear force acting between the Paragraph for Question Nos. 28 to 29
deuterons
The -decay process, discovered around
(B) Coulomb force acting between the deuterons
1900, is basically the decay of a neutron (n). In
(C)Cou lomb force acti ng between
deuteronelectron pairs the laboratory, a proton (p) and an electron (e-)
(D) the high temperature maintained inside the are observed as the decay products of the neu-
reactor core tron. Therefore, considering the decay of a neu-
tron as a two-body decay process, it was pre-
24. Assume that two deuteron nuclei in the core
dicted theoretically that the kinetic energy of
of fusion reactor at temperature T are moving
towards each other, each with kinetic energy 1.5 the electron should be a constant. But experi-
kT, when the separation between them is large mentally, it was observed that the electron ki-
enough to neglect Coulomb potential energy. Also netic energy has a continuous spectrum. Consid-
neglect any interaction from other particles in eri ng a three-body decay process, i .e.
the core. The minimum temperature T required
n  p  e   ve , around 1930, Pauli explained the
for them to reach a separation of 4 × 10–15 m is
in the range observed electron energy spectrum. Assuming the
(A) 1.0 × 109 K < T < 2.0 × 109 K anti-neutrino ve  to be massless and possessing
(B) 2.0 × 109 K < T < 3.0 × 109 K
negligible energy, and the neutron to be at rest,
(C) 3.0 × 109 K < T < 4.0 × 109 K
(D) 4.0 × 109 K < T < 5.0 × 109 K momentum and energy conservation principles are
applied. From this calculation, the maximum ki-
25. Results of calculations for four different netic energy of the electron is 0.8 x 106 eV. The
designs of a fusion reactor using D – D reaction
kinetic energy carried by the proton is only the
are given below. Which of these is most promising
recoil energy.
based on Lawson criterion?
(A) deuteron density = 2.0 × 1012 cm–3 ,
confinement time = 5.0 × 10–3 s 28. What is the maximum energy of the anti-neu-
(B) deuteron density = 8.0 × 1014 cm–3 , trino?
confinement time = 9.0 × 10–1 s (A) Zero
(C) deuteron density = 4.0 × 1023 cm–3 , (B) Much less than 0.8 x 106 eV.
confinement time = 1.0 × 10–11 s (C) Nearly 0.8 x 106 eV.
(D) deuteron density = 1.0 × 1024 cm–3 , (D) Much larger than 0.8 x 106 eV.
confinement time = 4.0 × 10–12 s
6 29. If the anti-neutrino had a mass of 3 eV/c2
(where c is the speed of light) instead of zero
5
mass, what should be the range of the kinetic
4 energy, K, of the electron?
dN(t )
dt
3
(A) 0  K  0.8 x 106 eV
n
26. (B) 3.0 eV  K  0.8 x 106 eV

2
(C) 3.0 eV  K  0.8 x 106 eV
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 (D) 0  K  0.8 x 106 eV
Years
To determine the half life of a radioactive element,
a student plots a graph of
dN( t ) dN( t )
n versus t Here is the rate of
dt dt
radioactive decay at time t. If the number of
radioactive nuclei of this element decreases by a
factor of p after 4.16 years, the value of p is :
[JEE 2010]

Exercise-I
1. C 2. A 3. B 4. A 5. B 6. B 7. C
8. C 9. C 10. B 11. D 12. B 13. B 14. D
15. C 16. C 17. B 18. C 19. C 20. B 21. C
22. D 23. A 24. B 25. B 26. C 27. A 28. C
29. B 30. A 31. C 32. D 33. A 34. C 35. B
36. B 37. A 38. E 39. C 40. C 41. C 42. B
43. C 44. D 45. A 46. A 47. C 48. D
Exercise-II
1. A,B,D 2. A,C 3. C 4. A,D 5. B,C 6. C,E 7. A,C,D
8. A,B,C 9. A,B,C 10. C,D 11. A,C
Exercise-III
1. 4.0016 u 2. 492 MeV 3. 5.58 MeV 4. 17.34 Mev 5. 1.86 MeV

40
6. (a) 19 K  40
20 Ca  e  ,
– 40
19
40
K 18 Ar  e   , 40
19
40
K  e – 18 Ar  
(b) 1.3034 MeV, 0.4676 MeV, 1.490 MeV
7. 5.304 MeV 8. 11.88 MeV 9. (a) 4.816 MeV (b) 3.254 MeV 10. 1.182 MeV
11. 0.2806 MeV 12. 3.7 mg 13. – 93.1 KeV, No 14. 23.6 MeV
15. 8/3 × 10 sec 18
16. 2.48 × 10–12 m 17. 28 MeV 18. 9 × 106 19. Fusion, 24 20. 152 min.
 l n5 
21. 4.5 × 1010 y old 22. (T1/2 = 10.8 sec) 23. (i) 40
19 K
40
18 Ar  1 e0  v , (ii) 4.2 × 109 years 24. t   ln 2  
 
25. (a) 14 Ci, (b) 1.4 × 10–6 sec–1 26. (a) 6.49 × 109 y, (b) 4.5 × 109 y, (c) 4
1 3N0
27. (a)  +, (b) 24 min 28. 1.92 × 109 y 29. (a)N = [(1–e–t) + N0 e–t] (b) , 2N0
 2
Exercise-IV   
0.2E0 t – (1  e – t )
  
1. 4.87 Mev 2. 3.3 × 10–6 g 3. 7.01366 amu 5. v = ut 6. T 
mS
7. 6.04 × 109 yrs 8. 1.7 × 1010 years 9. 5196 yrs 10.  33.298 W 11. 6 litre
12. (i) t1/2 = 10 sec., tmeans = 14.43 s
(ii) 40 sec.

Exercise-I
1. D 2. C 3. D 4. 3.847 × 104 kg 5. (a) 6.25 MeV ( b )

227.62 amu
dNx dNy dNz
6. (a) = – xNx, = xNx – yNy, = yNy, (b) 16.48 s, (c) Nx = 1.92 × 1019, Nz = 2.32 ×
dt dt dt
1019
2
7. A 8. C 9. A 10. A 11. 1.75 n = N0(1 – e–4), 6.95 sec,
 4
ln 
 3
12. B 13. 0.259 14. A 15. B 16. C
17. (A) P, Q ; (B) P, R ; (C) S, P ; (D) P, Q, R
18. A 19. B
20. (A) R, P ; (B) Q, S ; (C) P ; (D) Q
21. B,D 22. A 23. D 24. A 25. B 26. 8 27. 1
28. C 29. D


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MODERN PHYSICS - II

THEORY AND EXERCISE BOOKLET

S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

2. Mass Defect ...................................................................................................... 4

3. Binding Energy .................................................................................................. 4

5. Radioactive Decay .......................................................................................... 5 – 8

6. Nuclear stability ................................................................................................ 8

7. Nuclear Force .................................................................................................... 8

8. Radioactivity Decay ....................................................................................... 9 – 11

9. Nuclear Fission ................................................................................................ 12

10. Nuclear Fusion ............................................................................................... 12

11. Exercise -I .................................................................................................. 13 – 22

12. Exercise - II ................................................................................................ 23 – 25

13. Exercise - III ................................................................................................ 26 - 31

14. Exercise - IV .................................................................................................. 32

15. Exercise - V ................................................................................................ 33 - 38

16. Answer key ................................................................................................ 39 – 40

394,50 - Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Kota, Ph. No. : 93141-87482, 0744-2209671

Atomic nucleus; Alpha, beta and gamma radiations; Law of

radioactive decay; Decay constant; Half-life and mean life;

Binding energy and its calculation; Fission and fusion processes;

Energy calculation in these processes.

394,50-Rajeev Gandhi Nagar Kota, Ph. No. : 93141-87482, 0744-2209671

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It is the branch of physics which deals with the study of nucleus.

mass Am p Amp 3mp

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3.1 Variation of binding energy per nucleon with mass number :

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5. RADIOACTIVE DECAY (DISPLACEMENT LAW) :

Calculation of Kinetic energy of final products :

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–1 e 0 can also be written as –1 0

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no. of proton (Z)

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8. RADIOACTIVE DECAY : STATISTICAL LAW :

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8.3 Average Life :

sum of ages of all the nuclei

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Using C in eqn. (3), we get

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92 U235  0 n1 92 U236  X  Y  20 n1 ,

or 92 U235  0 n1  92 U236  X' Y'20 n1

Q value = [(MU – 92 me + mn) – {(MBa – 56 me) + (MKr – 36 me) + 3mn}] c2

10. NUCLEAR FUSION (THERMO NUCLEAR REACTION) :

1 H2  1 H2  2 He3  0 n1  3.3 MeV(D  D)

Q value = [2(MD – m e ) – {(MT – m e )  (MH – m e )}]c 2 = [2MD – (MT + MH)]c2

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Exercise - I (OBJECTIVE PROBLEMS )

9. The binding energies of the nuclei of 24 He, 73 Li,