Nucleus and Nuclear Force DPP-01

1. For effective nuclear forces, the distance should be

(1) 10–10 m
(2) 10–13 m
(3) 10–15 m
(4) 10–20 m

2. The mass number of a nucleus is equal to the number of

(1) Electrons it contains
(2) Protons it contains
(3) Neutrons it contains
(4) Nucleons it contains

3. In 88 Ra226 nucleus, there are

(1) 138 protons and 88 neutrons
(2) 138 neutrons and 88 protons
(3) 226 protons and 88 electrons
(4) 226 neutrons and 138 electrons

4. Outside a nucleus
(1) Neutron is stable
(2) Proton and neutron both are stable
(3) Neutron is unstable
(4) Neither neutron nor proton is stable

5. Order of magnitude of density of uranium nucleus is (mp = 1.67 × 10–27 kg)

(1) 1020 kg/m3
(2) 1017 kg/m3
(3) 1014 kg/m3
(4) 1011 kg/m3
6. Radius of 24 He nucleus is 3 Fermi. The radius of 206
82 Pb nucleus will be
(1) 5 Fermi
(2) 6 Fermi
(3) 11.16 Fermi
(4) 8 Fermi
7. Nuclear forces are
(1) Short ranged attractive and charge independent
(2) Short ranged attractive and charge dependent
(3) Long ranged repulsive and charge independent
(4) Long ranged repulsive and charge dependent

8. In helium nucleus, there are

(1) 2 protons and 2 electrons
(2) 2 neutrons, 2 protons and 2 electrons
(3) 2 protons and 2 neutrons
(4) 2 positrons and 2 protons

9. Isotopes are atoms having

(1) Same number of protons but different number of neutrons
(2) Same number of neutrons but different number of protons
(3) Same number of protons and neutrons
(4) None of the above

10. A nucleus ruptures into two nuclear parts which have their velocity ratio equal to 2 : 1. What
will be the ratio of their nuclear size (nuclear radius)
(1) 21/3 : 1
(2) 1 : 21/3
(3) 31/2 : 1
(4) 1 : 31/2
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Answer 3 4 2 3 2 3 1 3 1 2

SOLUTIONS
1. (3)

2. (4)

3. (2)
z XA =88Ra226
Number of protons = Z = 88
Number of neutrons = A − Z = 226 − 88 = 138 .

4. (3)
Out side the Nucleus, neutron is unstable (life  932 sec).

5. (2)
The order of magnitude of mass and volume of uranium nucleus will be
m ≃ A(1.67 × 10–27 kg) (A is atomic number)
4 4
V = r3 −  [(1.25 10−15 m)A1/3 ]3
3 3
−45
≃ (8.2 10 m )A
3

m A(1.67  10−27 kg)

Hence,  = =
V (8.2 10−45 m3 )A
≃ 2.0  10 kg / m .
17 3

6. (3)
1/3 1/3
r A   206 
We have r  A 1/3
 2 = 2  = 
r1  A1   4 
1/3
 206 
r2 = 3  = 11.6 Fermi .
 4 
7. (1)
Nuclear force is charge independent, it also acts between two neutrons.
8. (3)
Helium nucleus → 2He4 .
Number of protons = Z = 2
Number of Neutrons = A – Z = 2.
9. (1)
For isotopes Z is same and A is different. Therefore the number of neutrons A – Z will also be
different.

10. (2)
r  A1/3
 Mass Defect and Nuclear Binding Energy DPP-02

1. If a H2 nucleus is completely converted into energy, the energy produced will be around
(1) 1 MeV
(2) 938 MeV
(3) 9.38 MeV
(4) 238 MeV

2. The mass and energy equivalent to 1 a.m.u. respectively

(1) 1.67 × 10–27 gm, 9.30 MeV
(2) 1.67 × 10–27 kg, 930 MeV
(3) 1.67 × 10–27 kg, 1 MeV
(4) 1.67 × 10–34 kg, 1 MeV

3. If m, mn and mp are the masses of ZXA nucleus, neutron and proton respectively
(1) m  (A − Z)mn + Zmp
(2) m = (A − Z)mn + Zmp
(3) m = (A − Z)mp + Zmn
(4) m  (A − Z)mn + Zmp

4. Mp denotes the mass of a proton and Mn that of a neutron. A given nucleus, of binding energy
B, contains Z protons and N neutrons. The mass M(N, Z) of the nucleus is given by (c is the
velocity of light)
(1) M(N,Z) = NMn + ZMp − Bc2
(2) M(N,Z) = NMn + ZMp + Bc2
(3) M(N,Z) = NMn + ZMp − B/c2
(4) M(N,Z) = NMn + ZMp + B/c2

5. Calculate the binding energy of 17Cl35 if mass of 17Cl35 nucleus is 34.98 amu, mass of neutron is
1.008665 amu and mass of proton is 1.007277 amu.
(1) 260 MeV
(2) 278. 92 MeV
(3) 240 MeV
(4) 289 MeV
6. The mass defect in a nuclear fusion reaction is 0.3 percent. What amount of energy will be
liberated in one kg fusion reaction ?
(1) 1.6 × 1013 J
(2) 3.7 × 1014 J
(3) 2.7 × 1014 J
(4) 0.5 × 1015 J
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6
Answer 2 2 1 3 2 3

SOLUTIONS
1. (2)
Mass of H2 nucleus =mass of proton =1 amu energy equivalent to 1 amu is 931 MeV so correct
option is (b).

2. (2)

3. (1)
The mass of nucleus formed is always less than the sum of the masses of the constituent protons
and neutrons i.e. m  (A − Z)mn + zmp .

4. (3)
B = [ZMp + NMn − M(N, Z)]c2
 M(M,Z) = ZMp + NMn − B/c2

5. (2)
m = (17 × 1.007277) + (18 × 1.008665) – 34.98
m = 0.299679amu
MeV MeV
m = 0.299679 × 931.478 2 ………. [using lamu = 931 2 ]
c c
MeV
m = 279.001149 2
c
2
E = mc
= 279 MeV

6. (3)
m = 0.3% of 1 kg

3
m = kg
1000

Energy released = (m)c2

3
=  9  1016 = 27 × 1013 J
1000

= 2.7 × 1014 joule

 Binding Energy per Nucleon and its Curve DPP-03

1. If M is the atomic mass and A is the mass number, packing fraction is given by
A
(1)
M− A
A −M
(2)
A
M
(3)
M− A
M− A
(4)
A

2. In the reaction 12 H +13 H →24 He +10 n . If the tending energies of 12 H, 13H and 24He are respectively
a, b and c (in MeV), then the energy (in MeV) released in this reaction is
(1) c + a – b
(2) c – a – b
(3) a + b + c
(4) a + b – c

3. Fission of nuclei is possible because the binding energy per nucleon in them
(1) Increases with mass number at high mass numbers
(2) Decreases with mass number at high mass numbers
(3) Increases with mass number at low mass numbers
(4) Decreases with mass number at low mass numbers

4. The binding energy per nucleon of 26F56 nucleon is

(1) 493 MeV
(2) 88 MeV
(3) 8.8 MeV
(4) 413 MeV

5. The average binding energy per nucleon of a nucleus is of the order of

(1) 8 eV
(2) 8 J
(3) 8 keV
(4) 8 MeV
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer 4 2 2 3 4

SOLUTIONS
1. (4)
M− A
Packing fraction =
A

2. (2)
During fusion binding energy of daughter nucleus is always greater than the total energy of the
parent nuclei so energy released = c – (a + b) = c – a – b

3. (2)

Fusion Fission
+

4. (3)
The binding energy per nucleon of Fe nucleus is 8.8MeV which is highest.

5. (4)
 Nuclear Reactor and Fast Breeder Reactor DPP-04

mass of fission products

1. In any fission process the ratio is
mass of parent nucleus
(1) Less than 1
(2) Greater than 1
(3) Equal to 1
(4) Depends on the mass of the parent nucleus

2. Nuclear fusion is the phenomenon of ___________

(1) Heavy nucleus splitting
(2) Heavy nuclei combining
(3) Light nucleus splitting
(4) Light nuclei combining

3. In which of the following processes are Neutrons emitted?

(1) Nuclear fission
(2) Inverse beta Decay
(3) Spontaneous Fission
(4) Nuclear fusion

4. What is the role of the moderator in the nuclear power station?

(1) Absorb the neutrons
(2) Accelerate the speed of neutrons
(3) Reduce the speed of neutrons
(4) None of the above

5. Which of the following material is used to construct the control rod in the nuclear reactor?
(1) Cadmium
(2) Copper
(3) Graphite
(4) None of the above
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer 1 2 1 3 1

SOLUTIONS
1. (1)

2. (2)
Nuclear fusion occurs when two or more lighter nuclei combine to form a single stable and heavy
nucleus.

3. (1)
The splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei is known as nuclear fission. This
results in a loss in mass, as well as exothermic energy and neutron emission. Fission elements are
nuclei that emit two to three neutrons per nucleus.

4. (3)
The role of the moderator in the nuclear power station is to reduce the speed of neutrons.

5. (1)
Cadmium is used to construct the control rod in the nuclear reactor.
 Pair Production and Pair Annihilation DPP-05

1. In pair annihilation, two -ray photons are produced due to

(1) Law of conservation of energy
(2) Law of conservation of mass
(3) Law of conservation of momentum
(4) Law of conservation of angular momentum

2. In pair annihilation the least number of -ray photons produced is :

(1) 2
(2) 3
(3) 4
(4) 1

3. What happens to the position of an element in the periodic table when it emits -radiations?
(1) Changes to one place after.
(2) Changes to one place earlier.
(3) no change.
(4) can't say.

4. The rest energy of electron or positron is

(1) 0.51 MeV
(2) 1 MeV
(3) 1.02 MeV
(4) 1.5 MeV

5. When an electron and a positron are annihilated, then the number of photons produced is
(1) 2
(2) 1
(3) 3
(4) 4
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5
Answer 2 1 3 1 1

SOLUTIONS
1. (2)
When a particle encounters its antiparticle, they annihilate with the transformation of their mass
energies into two gamma rays obeying law of conservation of mass.

2. (1)
In a pair annihilation, atleast two gamma rays must be produced. For example, when an electron
encounters a positron, they annihilate to produce two gamma rays each having 0.511 MeV energy.

3. (3)
As the  radiations are chargeless or massless so, there is no change in position of element in the
periodic table.

4. (1)
Mass of electron =9.1×10−31 kg
Rest mass energy =mc2
 9.1 10−31  2
 1.6  10−27  931.978  c
= 
 
= 0.52 MeV

5. (1)
Two photons are produced during the annihilation of an electron and a positron along with 1.02
MeV released energy.
 Properties of Alpha, Beta and Gamma Rays DPP-06

− A
 
1. In the disintegration series 238
92 U ⎯⎯→ X ⎯⎯ →Z Y The value of Z and A respectively will be
(1) 92, 236
(2) 88, 230
(3) 90, 234
(4) 91, 234

2. Which of the following rays are not electromagnetic waves

(1) -rays
(2) -rays
(3) Heat rays
(4) X-rays

3. Which of the following radiations has the least wavelength

(1) X-rays
(2) -rays
(3) -rays
(4) -rays

4. Which of the following isotopes is used for the treatment of cancer

(1) K40
(2) Co60
(3) Sr90
(4) I131

 A  C 234
5. In the given nuclear reaction A, B, C, D, E represents 238
92 U ⎯⎯→B Th ⎯⎯→D Pa ⎯⎯
E
→92 U
(1) A = 234, B = 90, C = 234, D = 91, E = 
(2) A = 234, B = 90, C = 238, D = 94, E = 
(3) A = 238, B = 90, C = 234, D = 91, E = 
(4) A = 234, B = 90, C = 234, D = 93, E = 
6. The particles emitted by radioactive decay are deflected by magnetic field. The particles will
be
(1) Protons and -particles
(2) Electrons, protons and -particles
(3) Electrons, protons and neutrons
(4) Electrons and -particles

7. Which of the following is a correct statement

(1) Beta rays are same as cathode rays
(2) Gamma rays are high energy neutrons
(3) Alpha particles are singly ionized helium atoms
(4) Protons and neutrons have exactly the same mass
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Answer 4 2 2 1 1 4 1

SOLUTIONS
1. (4)
92 U238 →2 He4 +90 X234 →−1 e0 +91 U234

Hence, A = 234, Z = 91
2. (2)
3. (2)
4. (1)
5. (1)
6. (4)
7. (1)
 Gamma Decay Process DPP-07

1. In which of the following decay, the element does not change

(1) -decay
(2) -decay
(3) -decay
(4) None of these

2. Which of the following processes represents a gamma-decay

(1) A
XZ + → A XZ−1 + a + b
(2) A
XZ +1n0 → A −3XZ−2 + c
(3) A
XZ → A XZ + f
(4) A
XZ + e−1 → A XZ−1 + g

3. High energy photons are emitted in ______

(1) Beta-decay
(2) Alpha decay
(3) Gamma decay
(4) Atomic decay

4. In which decay is the Helium nucleus emitted?

(1) Beta-decay
(2) Alpha decay
(3) Gamma decay
(4) Atomic decay
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4
Answer 3 3 3 2

SOLUTIONS
1. (3)
As the -particle has no charge and mass.

2. (3)
In a gamma decay process. There is no change in either A or Z.

3. (3)
In the process of gamma decay, high energy photons are emitted.

4. (2)
Alpha decay takes place when the unstable atomic nuclei emit a helium nucleus.
 Half Life and Mean Life DPP-08

1. Certain radio-active substance reduces to 25% of its value in 16 days. Its half-life is
(1) 32 days
(2) 8 days
(3) 64 days
(4) 28 days

2. The decay constant of a radioactive element is 1.5 × 10–9 per second. Its mean life in seconds
will be
(1) 1.5 × 109
(2) 4.62 × 108
(3) 6.67 × 108
(4) 10.35 × 108

3. A radioactive material has an initial amount 16 gm. After 120 days it reduces to 1 gm, then
the half-life of radioactive material is
(1) 60 days
(2) 30 days
(3) 40 days
(4) 240 days

7
4. Starting with a sample of pure 66
Cu, of it decays into Zn in 15 min. The corresponding half-
8
life is
(1) 5 min
1
(2) 7 min
2
(3) 10 min
(4) 15 min

5. Mean life of a radioactive sample is 100 seconds. Then its half life (in minutes) is
(1) 0.693
(2) 1
(3) 10–4
(4) 1.155
6. C14 has half life 5700 years. At the end of 11400 years, the actual amount left is
(1) 0.5 of original amount
(2) 0.25 of original amount
(3) 0.125 of original amount
(4) 0.0625 of original amount
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6
Answer 4 3 2 1 4 2

SOLUTIONS
1. (4)
t 16
 1 T N 1 T
N = N0    0 = N0    T = 8 days.
 2 4  2

2. (3)
1
Mean life = = 6.67  108 sec.


3. (2)
n n
N 1  1  1
=    =  n = 4
N0  2   16   2 
t 120
also n =  T1/2 = = 30 days
T1/2 4

4. (1)
7 1
part decays i.e. remaining part is
8 8
t 15
 1  T1/2 1  1  T1/2
N = N0    =    T1/2 =5 min.
2 8 2

5. (4)
Mean life (T) = 1/  = 100 second
0.693 0.693 100
Half-life = = =1.155 min.
 60

6. (2)
11400/5700 2
1 1
N = N0    = N0   = 0.25N0
 2  2
 Decay by Two Simultaneous Processes DPP-09

1. In the disintegration series

  A
238
92 U ⎯⎯→ X ⎯⎯→Z Y the values of Z and A respectively will be
(1) 92, 236
(2) 88, 230
(3) 90, 234
(4) 91, 234

2. Consider a radioactive material of half-life 1.0 minute. If one of the nuclei decays now, the
next one will decay
(1) after 1 min
1
(2) after min
loge 2
1
(3) after min, where N is the number of nuclei present at that moment.
N
(4) after any time

3. At time t=0, N1 nuclei of decay constant λ1 and N2 nuclei of decay constant λ1 are mixed. The
decay rate of mixture is
−( 1+2 )t
(1) −NN
1 2
e
N 
(2) −  1  e−( 1+2 )t
 N2 
−2t
(3) −(N11e − 1t + N22e )
−( 1+2 )t
(4) −N11N22e

4. A certain radioactive material can undergo three different types of decay, each with a
different decay constant λ, 2λ, and 3λ. Then, the effective decay constant λeff is equal to nλ.
What is the value of n?
(1) 1
(2) 3
(3) 4
(4) 6
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4
Answer 4 4 3 4

SOLUTIONS
1. (4)
−
 
92 U238 ⎯⎯→ 90X234 ⎯⎯ → 91Y234

2. (4)
The radioactivity decay is spontaneous phenomenon. So the radioactive material will decay at any
time.

3. (3)
Decay rate of one particle only depends on its number of atoms but not on the other particles. So
the total rate will be the addition of the rates of two compounds.
−d1t
No. of atoms of first compound at any time −N1e
−2t
No. of atoms of 2nd compound at any time = N1e
dN
We know that = N
dt
−1t
decay rate of 1st compound = 1N1e
−2t
decay rate of 2nd compound = 2N2e
−1t −2t
Total rate of mixture = 1N1e + 2N2e

4. (4)
The effective decay constant is the sum of all decay constants of the different decays. i.e,
eff = 1 + 2 + 3 =  + 2 + 3 = 6
Thus, n = 6
 Activity of Radioactive Sample DPP-10

1. If half life of a radioactive element is 3 hours, after 9 hours its activity becomes.
(1) 1/9
(2) 1/27
(3) 1/6
(4) 1/8

2. The activity of a sample is 64 × 10–5 Ci. Its half-life is 3 days. The activity will become 5 × 10–6
Ci after
(1) 12 days
(2) 7 days
(3) 18 days
(4) 21 days

3. The activity of a radioactive sample

(1) Can be increased by heating it
(2) Is independent of physical parameter
(3) Cannot be increased by any method
(4) Both (b) and (c)

4. Activity of radioactive element decreased to one third of original activity R0 in 9 years. After
further 9 years, its activity will be
(1) R0
2
(2) R 0
3
R
(3) 0
9
R0
(4)
6

5. A radioactive material has a half-life of 8 years. The activity of the material will decrease to
about 1/8 of its original value in
(1) 256 year
(2) 128 year
(3) 64 year
(4) 24 year
6. Identify the graph which represent the activity of a radioactive substance as a function of
time?

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)
 Answer key
Question 1 2 3 4 5 6
Answer 4 4 4 3 4 4

SOLUTIONS
1. (4)
t
9/3
 1  T1/2 A 1 1
By using A = A0    = =
 2 A0  2  8

2. (4)
t/T1/2 t/3
1 1
A = A0    5 10−6 = 64  10−5  
 2  2
t/3
1 1
 =  t = 21 days
128  2 

3. (4)

4. (3)
Activity R = R0e−t
R0 1
= R0e−9  e−9 = ...(i)
3 3
R0 −9
After further 9 years R = Re =
−t
e ...(ii)
3
R0
From equation (i) and (ii) R =
9

5. (4)
t/T1/2 t/8
A 1 1 1
=  =    t = 24years.
A0  2  8  2

6. (4)
Activity of the radioactive substance, A = AOe–t where λ = constant
Thus, A- t graph is shown in option E.