fiziks

Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS

GATE-2010
Q1. The basic process underlying the neutron β-decay is
(a) d  u  e    e (b) d  u  e 
(c) s  u  e    e (d) u  d  e    e
Ans: (a)
Q2. In the nuclear shell model the spin parity of 157 N is given by

1 1 3 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
Ans: (a)
Solution: Z  7 ; s1 / 2   p3 / 2 4  p1 / 2 1
2
and N  8

1 1
l  1, J   parity   1  1,
1
spin - parity   
2 2
Q3. Match the reactions on the left with the associated interactions on the right.
(1) π+ → μ+ +  (i) Strong

(2) π0 → γ + γ (ii) Electromagnetic

(3) π0 + n → π- + p (iii) Weak
(a) (1, iii), (2, ii), (3, i) (b) (1, i), (2, ii), (3, iii)
(c) (1, ii), (2, i), (3, iii) (d) (1, iii), (2, i), (3, ii)
Ans: (a)
Q4. The ground state wavefunction of deuteron is in a superposition of s and d states. Which
of the following is NOT true as a consequence?
(a) It has a non-zero quadruple moment
(b) The neutron-proton potential is non-central
(c) The orbital wavefunction is not spherically symmetric
(d) The Hamiltonian does not conserve the total angular momentum
Ans: (d)

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
228
Q5. The first three energy levels of Th90 are shown below
4 187 keV
2 57.5keV
0 0keV

The expected spin-parity and energy of the next level are given by
(a) (6+; 400 keV) (b) (6+; 300 keV) (c) (2+; 400 keV) (d) (4+; 300 keV)
Ans: (a)
E 2 J 2  J 2  1 E 66  1
Solution:   6   E 6  393keV
E1 J 1  J 1  1 E 4 44  1

GATE-2011

Q6. The semi-empirical mass formula for the binding energy of nucleus contains a surface
correction term. This term depends on the mass number A of the nucleus as
(a) A-1/3 (b) A1/3 (c) A2/3 (d) A
Ans: (c)
Q7. According to the single particles nuclear shell model, the spin-parity of the ground state
of 178 O is
   
1 3 3 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
Ans: (d)
Solution: Z  8 and N  9; s1 / 2   p3 / 2 4  p1 / 2 2 d 5 / 2 1
2


5 5
l  2, J   parity   1  1, spin - parity   
2

2 2
Q8. In the β-decay of neutron n→ p + e- + e , the anti-neutrino e , escapes detection. Its
existence is inferred from the measurement of
(a) energy distribution of electrons (b) angular distribution of electrons
(c) helicity distribution of electrons (d) forward-backward asymmetry of electrons
Ans: (a)
Q9. The isospin and the strangeness of   baryon are
(a) 1, -3 (b) 0, -3 (c) 1, 3 (d) 0, 3
Ans: (b)

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
GATE-2012

Q10. Deuteron has only one bound state with spin parity 1+, isospin 0 and electric quadrupole
moment 0.286 efm2. These data suggest that the nuclear forces are having
(a) only spin and isospin dependence
(b) no spin dependence and no tensor components
(c) spin dependence but no tensor components
(d) spin dependence along with tensor components
Ans: (d)
Q11. The quark content of   , K  ,   and p is indicated:

   uus ; K   su ;    u d ; p  uud .

In the process,    p  K     , considering strong interactions only, which of the

following statements is true?
(a) The process, is allowed because ∆S = 0
(b) The process is allowed because ∆I3 =0
(c) The process is not allowed because ∆S ≠ 0 and ∆I3 ≠ 0
(d) The process is not allowed because the baryon number is violated
Ans: (c)
Solution:    p  k    

S: 0 0 1 1 (not conserved)
1 1
I3 : 1   1 (not conserved)
2 2
For strong interaction S and I3 must conserve. Therefore this process is not allowed under
strong interaction
Q12. Which one of the following sets corresponds to fundamental particles?
(a) proton, electron and neutron
(b) proton, electron and photon
(c) electron, photon and neutrino
(d) quark, electron and meson
Ans: (a)

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Phone: 011-26865455/+91-9871145498
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q13. In case of a Geiger-Muller (GM) counter, which one of the following statement is
CORRECT?
(a) Multiplication factor of the detector is of the order of 1010
(b) Type of the particles detected can be identified
(c) Energy of the particles detected can be distinguished
(d) Operating voltage of the detector is few tens of Volts
Ans: (c)
Q14. Choose the CORRECT statement from the following
(a) Neutron interacts through electromagnetic interaction
(b) Electron does not interact through weak interaction
(c) Neutrino interacts through weak and electromagnetic interaction
(d) Quark interacts through strong interaction but not through weak interaction
Ans: (d)

GATE-2013
Q15. The decay process n  p   e   v e violates
(a) Baryon number (b) lepton number (c) isospin (d) strangeness
Ans: (c)
Q16. The isospin I  and baryon number B  of the up quark is
(a) I  1, B  1 (b) I  1, B  1 / 3
(c) I  1 / 2, B  1 (d) I  1 / 2, B  1 / 3
Ans: (d)

Q17. In the  decay process, the transition 2   3  , is

(a) allowed both by Fermi and Gamow-Teller selection rule
(b) allowed by Fermi and but not by Gamow-Teller selection rule
(c) not allowed by Fermi but allowed by Gamow-Teller selection rule
(d) not allowed both by Fermi and Gamow-Teller selection rule
Ans: (c)
Solution: According to Fermi Selection Rule:

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
I  0, Parity  No Change
According to Gammow-Teller Selection Rule:
I  0,1, Parity  No Change

In the  decay process, the transition 2   3  ,

I  1, Parity  No Change .

GATE-2014

Q18. Which one of the following is a fermions’?

(a)  -particle (b) 4 Be7 nucleus
(c) Hydrogen atom (d) deuteron

Ans: (b)
Solution: If a nucleus contains odd number of nucleons, it is fermions. If a nucleus contains even
number of nucleons, it is a boson.
Q19. Which one of the following three-quark states  qqq  denoted by X CANNOT be a

possible baryon? The corresponding electric charge is indicated in the superscript.

(a) X   (b) X  (c) X  (d) X  
Ans: (d)
Solution: X  qqq
2 2 2 6
X   uuu      2  two unit positive charge 
3 3 3 3
2 2 1 4 1
X   uud       1 single unit positive charge 
3 3 3 3 3
1 1 1
X   ddd       1 single unit negative charge 
3 3 3
X   Not possible with qqq  . So the correct option is (d)

Q20. Consider the process           . The minimum kinetic energy of the muons
  in the centre of mass frame required to produce the pion   pairs at rest is
______ MeV .
Ans: 81.7
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Solution: Use conservation of energy and momentum in relativistic form.
m  105 MeV / c 2 and m  140 MeV / c 2

m   c
2 2

   m  c 2  m   m 2
 280 
2
MeV   210  MeV
2

E   E   163.3 MeV
2m 2  105
163.3
For pair it will be MeV  81.7 MeV
2
Q21. A nucleus X undergoes a first forbidden  -decay to nucleus Y . If the angular
7
momentum I  and parity P  , denoted by I P as for X , which of the following is a
2
possible I P value for Y ?
1 1 3 3
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2 2
Ans: (c)
Solution: For first forbidden  -decay; I  0,1 or 2 and Parity does change.

GATE-2015
Q22. The decay    e    is forbidden, because it violates
(a) momentum and lepton number conservations
(b) baryon and lepton number conservations
(c) angular momentum conservation
(d) lepton number conservation
Ans.: (d)
Solution:    e    . In this decay lepton number is not conserved.
Q23. A beam of X - ray of intensity I 0 is incident normally on a metal sheet of thickness

2 mm . The intensity of the transmitted beam is 0.025 I 0 . The linear absorption

 
coefficient of the metal sheet in m 1 is _______________ (upto one decimal place)
Ans.: 1844.4
x 1  I0  1  I0  1
Solution: I  I 0 e  ln    3
ln   3
ln  40 
x  I  2  10  0.025 I 0  2  10
2.303
3 
 log10 40  1.151 103  2  0.3010  1  1844.4 m 1
2  10
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q24. The mean kinetic energy of a nucleon in a nucleus of atomic weight A varies as An ,
where n is____________(upto two decimal places)
Ans.: -0.67
R 2  d 2 1 d  2 2
   2  4 r dr
2 R
0 2m  dr r dr   4   2  2  dr  4  4 R
Solution: T   2m 0
 2 m
R R
4 R 3 / 3
 4 r 2 dr   2
4 r dr
0 0

2
1 1 1  2
 T  2
 2
 2
 A 3
 n    0.667  0.67
R  1
 3
R A
 0 
3 A3
 
152 152
Q25. The atomic masses of 63 Eu, 62 Sm, 11 H and neutron are 151.921749, 151.919756,

1.007825 and 1.008665 in atomic mass units (amu), respectively. Using the above
3
information, the Q - value of the reaction 152
63 62 Sm  p is ___________  10
Eu  n 152
amu (upto three decimal places)
Ans.: 2.833
Solution: Q  152.930414  152.927581  2.833  103 a.m.u.

1  
Q26. In the nuclear shell model, the potential is modeled as V r   m 2 r 2  L  S ,   0 .
2
The correct spin-parity and isospin assignments for the ground state of 136C is
1  1 1  1 3 1 3  1
(a) ; (b) ; (c) ; (d) ;
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Ans.: (a)
2 4 1
      1
Solution: C6 , N  7, Z  6 , for N  7 ; 1S 1 
13
1P3   P1   j  and l  1
 2  2  2 2

1
Thus spin- parity is   .
2

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
GATE-2016
Q27. In the SU 3 quark model, the triplet of mesons   ,  0 ,    has
(a) Isospin  0 , Strangeness  0 (b) Isospin  1 , Strangeness  0
1 1
(c) Isospin  , Strangeness  1 (d) Isospin  , Strangeness  1
2 2
Ans.: (b)
Solution:   ,  0 ,   are not strange particle thus strangness  0
Since meson group contain 3 particles, thus I  1

25 Mn  e  24 Cr  X . The particle X is
Consider the reaction 54 54
Q28.

(a)  (b)  e (c) n (d)  0

Ans.: (b)
Q29. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
(a) A deuteron can be disintegrated by irradiating it with gamma rays of energy 4 MeV .
(b) A deuteron has no excited states.
(c) A deuteron has no electric quadrupole moment.
(d) The 1 S 0 state of deuteron cannot be formed.
Ans.: (c)
Q30. According to the nuclear shell model, the respective ground state spin-parity values of
15 17
8 O and 8 O nuclei are

1 1 1 5 3 5  3  1
(a) , (b) , (c) , (d) ,
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Ans.: (b)
N  7 :  s1/ 2   p3/ 2   p1/ 2 
2 4 1
8 O ; Z  8 and N  7 ;
Solution: 15

1 1
 j  and l  1 . Thus spin and parity   
2 2

N  9 :  s1/ 2   p3/ 2   p1/ 2   d5/ 2 

2 4 2 1
17
8 O ; Z  8 and N  9 ;

5 5
 j  and l  2 . Thus spin and parity   
2 2

H.No. 40-D, Ground Floor, Jia Sarai, Near IIT, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
GATE-2017
Q31. Which one of the following conservation laws is violated in the decay         
(a) Angular momentum (b) Total Lepton number
(c) Electric charge (d) Tau number
Ans. : (d)
Solution:        
q  1 1  1  1 conserved
L  1 1  1  1 conserved
L  1 0 0 0 Not conserved

1 1 1
spin = 1 conserved
2 2 2 2
Tau number is not conserved
Q32. Electromagnetic interactions are:
(a) C conserving
(b) C non-conserving but CP conserving
(c) CP non-conserving but CPT conserving
(d) CPT non-conserving
Ans. : (a)
Solution: In electromagnetic interaction C is conserved
CPT: Conserved in all interaction
CP: Conserved in EM and Strong interactions
13.6
En   eV 
n2
For n  1 , E1  13.6 eV Ground state

For n   , E  0 Highest state

Thus, correct option is (a)
Q33. In the nuclear reaction 13C6  e  13N 7  X , the particle X is
(a) an electron (b) an anti-electron
(c) a muon (d) a pion
Ans. : (a)
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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Solution: C6  e  N 7  X  C6  N 7  X  e
13 13 13 13

Le  0 0 1 1

To conserve the Lepton number Le , X should be e 

Q34. J P for the ground state of the 13 C6 nucleus is

3 3 1
(a) 1 (b) (c) (d)
2 2 2
Ans. : (d)

Solution: 13 C6 : Z  6, N  7 , N  7 :  s1/ 2   p3/ 2   p1/ 2 

2 4 1


1 1
 j  and l  1 . Thus spin and parity   
2 2
Q35. The   decays at rest to   and v . Assuming the neutrino to be massless, the

momentum of the neutrino is…………….. MeV / c . (up to two decimal places)

( m  139 MeV / c 2 , m  105 MeV / c 2 )

Ans. : 29.84

Solution: E 
m
2

 m2 c 2
 pc
2m

So p
m 
2

 m2 c

19321  11025 29.84
  MeV 
2m 2  139 c c

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
GATE-2018
Q36. The elementary particle  is placed in the baryon decuplet, shown below, at
0



Strangeness
Q

P R

S
3rd component of isospin

(a) P (b) Q (c) R (d) S

Ans. : (c)
 0  
0
  
 
Q
 0
 
P R


Q37. In the decay,    e    e  X , what is X ?
(a)  (b)  e (c)   (d)  

Ans. : (d)
Solution:- u   e   e  u

Lu :  1 0 0 1

Le : 0 1 1 0

Q38. For nucleus 164

Er , a J   2 state is at 90 keV . Assuming 164
Er to be a rigid rotor, the

energy of its 4 state is ___________ keV (up to one decimal place)

Ans. : 300
Solution: EJ  hcBJ  J  1 _________ 4

E2  hc B 2  2  1 and E4  hc B 4  4  1 _________ 2

E4 20 20
Then,   E4   90 keV  300 keV
E2 6 6

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 fiziks
Institute for NET/JRF, GATE, IIT‐JAM, M.Sc. Entrance, JEST, TIFR and GRE in Physics 
 
Q39. Inside a large nucleus, a nucleon with mass 939 MeVc 2 has Fermi momentum 1.40 fm 1
at absolute zero temperature. Its velocity is Xc , where the value of X is__________ (up
to two decimal places).
( c  197 MeV -fm )
Ans. : 0.29
Solution: Here, fermi – momentum or fermi radius, k F  1.40 fm 1 and c  197 Mev – fm
Now, Fermi velocity –
P k F  c  k F  c 197   1 40  c 275  8c
VF       0.29c
m m mc2 939 939

Q40. An  particle is emitted by a 230

90 Th nucleus. Assuming the potential to be purely
Coulombic beyond the point of separation, the height of the Coulomb barrier is________
MeV (up to two decimal places).
e2
(  1.44 MeV -fm, r0  1.30 fm )
4 0
Ans. : 25.995
Solution: The height of coulomb barrier for  particle from

90 Th 230  88 X 226  2 He 4 (  - particle)

1  2 ze 2 
VC   
4 0  R 
e2
Here, R0  1.3 fm,  1.44 MeV fm
4 0

And R  R0 A1 / 3
Here, we consider pure Coulombic interection
 A1X/ 3  A1 / 3  226   4   6.09  1.58  7.67
1/ 3 1/ 3 1/ 3
ATh

R  R0 ATh
1/ 3
 1.37.67 

 e2  2  90 180  1.44 MeV

Hence, VC    
 4 0  1.37.67  1.3  7.67 fm
VC  25.995 MeV

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GATE-2019
Q41. Considering baryon number and lepton number conservation laws, which of the
following process is/are allowed?
(i) p   0  e   ve
(ii) e   ve     v
(a) both (i) and (ii) (b) only (i) (c) only (ii) (d) neither (i) nor (ii)
Ans. : (c)
Solution: (i) P   0  e  e

B : 1 0 0 0 : Not conserved
Therefore, this is not an allowed process
(ii) e  e    
q: 1 0 1 0 : conserved
spin : 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 1/ 2 : conserved
Le : 1 1 0 0 : conserved

L : 0 0 1 1 : conserved

Since neutrino is involve, therefore parity is violated. This is allowed through weak
interaction
Q42. A massive particle X in free space decays spontaneously into two photons. Which of the
following statements is true for X ?
(a) X is charged
(b) Spin of X must be greater than or equal to 2
(c) X is a boson
(d) X must be a baryon
Ans. : (c)
Solution: X  rr
q: 0 0 0
spin : 0,1, 2 1 1
Thus spin of X can be either 0,1 or 2 . (integer)
Therefore, option (b) is wrong while option (c) is correct.

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40
Q43. The nuclear spin and parity of 20 Ca in its ground state is

(a) 0 (b) 0 (c) 1 (d) 1

Ans.: (a)
Solution: 40
20 Ca is an even-even nuclei, therefore I  0, P   ve

 Spin-parity  0
Q44. Low energy collision ( s - wave scattering) of pion (   ) with deuteron ( d ) results in the
production of two proton (    d  p  p ). The relative orbital angular momentum (in
units of  ) of the resulting two-proton system for this reaction is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
Ans.: (b)
Solution:   d  p p

Parity:  1   1 (1)l  p p

  1  p p  1
l

Since  p  1   1l  1

Thus, l  1 .
Q45. A radioactive element X has a half-life of 30 hours. It decays via alpha, beta and
gamma emissions with the branching ratio for beta decay being 0.75 . The partial half-life
for beta decay in unit of hours is ____________
Ans.: 40
Solution: Branching ratio is the fraction of particles (here  ) which decays by an individual
decay mode with respect to the total number of particles which decays
 dN 
 
 dt  x T1/ 2  x T1/ 2  x 30
BR    T1/ 2      40 hours
 dt  T1/ 2  BR 0.75
 
 dt  

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