Solution

CH13 - NUCLEI

Class 12 - Physics
Section A
1. (a) binding energy per nucleon increases
Explanation: for light nucleus we know that binding energy per nucleon will increase while the two nuclei fuse together to
form a stable heavier nucleus, the heavier nucleus will be more stable than the two nuclei.
2.
(d) 5.6 MeV
Explanation: B.E. = 0.042 × 931 - 42 MeV
∴ B.E./nucleon =
42

= 6MeV ≃ 5.6MeV

3. (a) more than one neutron is given out

Explanation: A chain reaction in uranium is possible because more than one neutron is given out in each fission.

4. (a) 48 × 1023
Explanation: Number of atoms in 14 g of 14
6
C

= Avogadro's number = 6 × 1023

Number of neutrons in each atom = 14 - 6 = 8
5.
(d) density
Explanation: All nucleus have equal densities irrespective of mass no. approximately equal to 2.3 × 1017 kgm-3.
6.
(c) 19 : 81
Explanation: Suppose natural boron has x% of 10
5
B isotope and (100 - x)% of isotope. Then
10×x+11(100−x)

100
= 10.81
or x = 19%
∴
10

5
B:
11
5
B = 19 : 81
7.
(d) M < [N - Mn + Z - Mp]
Explanation: The mass of a nucleus is less than the sum of the masses of its constituent nucleons.
8.
(b) 931 MeV
Explanation: 1 amu ≈ 931 MeV.
9. (a) neutrons are emitted
Explanation: He + Be ⟶ 4
2
9
4
1
0
n+
12
6
C

10. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
11.
(c) A is true but R is false.
Explanation: A is true but R is false.
Section B
12. 1amu = 1.6605 × 10–27 kg
To convert it into energy units, we multiply it by c2 and find that energy equivalent = 1.6605 × 10–27 × (2.9979 × 108)2 kg m2/s
= 1.4924 × 10–10 J
−10
1.4924×10
= eV
−19
1.602×10

= 0.9315 × 109 eV

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 = 931.5 MeV
or, 1amu = 931.5 MeV/c2
For 16
16
8
O , △M = 0.13691 u = 0.13691 × 931.5 MeV/c2
= 127.5 MeV/c2
this mass defect appears in the form of energy needed to separate 16
8
O into its constituents is thus 127.5 MeV/c2.
13. Mass of star = 5 ⋅ 0 × 10 32
kg = 5 ⋅ 0 × 10 35
g
Number of atoms in 4 gram of He = 6.023 × 1023
23 35

Thus, Number of atoms in 5 ⋅ 0 × 10 35

gram of He = 6⋅023× 10

4
×5⋅0× 10 58
= 7 ⋅ 529 × 10

As each fusion reaction consumed 3 helium atoms to produce 7 ⋅ 27 MeV energy,

∴ Total energy produced by fusion of 5 ⋅ 0 × 10 gram of He 35

58 −13
7⋅27 7⋅27×7⋅529× 10 ×1⋅6× 10
= 3
× 7 ⋅ 529 × 10
58
MeV = 3
J = 29 ⋅ 19 × 10
45
J

As power = 5 × 10 30
watt = 5 × 10 30
joule/sec.
45 15

∴ Time required = 29⋅19×10

30
sec. =
29⋅19×10

5×60×60×24×365
year
5×10

t = 1 ⋅ 85 × 10 year 8

14. The relation between radius and mass number of the nucleus is R =R0 A1/3
Where, R0 = 1.2 fmR = radius of nucleus and A = mass number
Nuclear density,
Mass of nucleus mA
ρ = =
Volume of nucleus 3
4 1/3
π ( R0 A )
3

mA m
ρ = ⇒ ρ =
4 3 4 3
πR A πR
3 0 3 0

So as per above formula, density of nucleus does not depend on mass number of nucleus rather it is same for all the atoms and it is
roughly in the order of 1017 kg/m3 which is very large as compared to our everyday observed densities.
Section C
15. Nuclear energy is the energy released during a nuclear reaction.

The curve of average binding energy per nucleon (B ¯

) against mass number (Figure) shows a long flat region from about A = 30 to
A = 170. In this region, B
¯
is almost constant. However, for nuclei with A < 30 and A > 170, value of B¯
is less than the plateau
value. Clearly, nuclei with mass numbers in the range 30 ≤ A ≤ 170 are more tightly bound than the nuclei with A < 30 and nuclei
with A > 170. Hence when we transmute less tightly bound nuclei into more tightly bound nuclei through nuclear reactions, the
nuclear energy may be released.
The nuclear reaction can thus prove to be a source of energy. Nuclear energy is released on account of mass defect in the reaction.
The nuclear reactions which can be practical sources of energy are of two broad types.
(i) Nuclear fission, in which a heavier nucleus breaks into lighter ones.
(ii) Nuclear fusion, in which lighter nuclei fuse into a heavier one.
In both the cases, energy released is estimated from mass defect (Δm) from Einstein's mass energy relation,
E = (Δm) c2
16. 238
92
U+
1
0
n ⟶
140
58
Ce +
99
44
Ru

Δm = [m( 238

92
U) + m( n) − m(
1
0
140

58
Ce) − m(
99

44
Ru)]

= (238.05079 + 1.008665 - 139.90543 - 98.90594) u

= 0.248085 u
Δm = 0.248085 × 931.5 Mev/c2 = 231.09 Mev/c2

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 By Einstein mass-energy equivalence
E = Δm c2
= 231.09 MeV

2
× c
2

= 231.09 Mev
17. The following graph shows the variation of potential energy with the separation of nucleons

1. Part BC of the graph shows the attractive force.

2. Part AB of the graph shows the repulsive force.
The characterstic features of the nuclear force are as under:
1. ​Nuclear forces are attractive and stronger than the electrostatic force.
2. Nuclear forces are charge-independent and short range forces.
Section D
18. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
Neutrons and protons are identical particles in the sense that their masses are nearly the same and the force, called nuclear force,
does into distinguishing them. The nuclear force is the strongest force. The stability of the nucleus is determined by the neutron-
proton ratio or mass defect or packing fraction. The shape of the nucleus is calculated by quadrupole moment and the spin of the
nucleus depends on even or odd mass numbers. The volume of the nucleus depends on the mass number. The whole mass of the
atom (nearly 99%) is centered at the nucleus.
(i) (a) all of these
Explanation: All options are basic properties of nuclear forces. So, all options are correct.
(ii) (c) 1.4
​ × 10 −15
​
m

Explanation: The nuclear force is of short range and the range of nuclear force is the order of 1.4 × 10-15 m. Now,
volume ∝ R3 ∝ A
(iii) (d) strong nuclear force.
Explanation: strong nuclear force.
(iv) (a) Fn << Fe
Explanation: Nuclear force is much stronger than the electrostatic force inside the nucleus i.e., at distances of the
o

order of fermi. At 40 A, nuclear force is ineffective and only electrostatic force of repulsion is present. This is very
high at this distance because nuclear force is not acting now and the gravitational force is very feeble.
F ≪ F
nuclear in this case.
electrostatic

Section E
19. Nuclear fission is a process of splitting of a heavier nucleus into two lighter nuclei. It generally occurs in elements of high atomic
mass. When these radioactive nuclides dissociate the total binding energy of product is less than that of reactants which is released
energy in radioactive decay.
235 1 141 92 1
U92 + n ⟶ Ba56 + Kr36 + 3n + Q
0 0

In this case, the energy released per fission of U 215

92
is 200.4 MeV.
Nuclear fusion is a process of a combination of two light nuclei to form heavier nuclei. It generally occurs in elements of low
atomic mass. If the combined nuclear mass is less than that of iron at the peak of the binding energy curve, then the nuclear
particles will be more tightly bound than they were in the lighter nuclei, and that decrease in mass comes off in the form of energy

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according to the Einstein relationship.
e.g. H + H → He + e + v + 0.42M eV
1
1
1
1
2
1
+

2 2 3
H + H → He + n + 3.27M eV
1 1 1

2 2 3 1 V
H + H ⟶1 H + H + 4.03M e
1 1 1

According to the question,

2 4
H+ H⟶ He + nMeV
1 2

Δm = (2014102 + 3.016049) −(4.002603 + 1.008665)

= 0.018883.u
MeV
Energy released, Q = 0.018883 × 9315 2
c

= 17.589 MeV

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