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:NUCLEI:
Size of nucleus:
4 1
𝑉∝𝐴 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑅 3 ∝ 𝐴 ∴𝑅∝𝐴 3
3

1 1
∴ 𝑅 = 𝑅0 𝐴 3 = 𝑅 = 1.2 × 10−15 𝐴 3 [𝑅0 = 1.2 × 10−15 𝑚]
1
𝑅 = 1.2𝐴 3 𝑓𝑚 𝑓𝑚 → 𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑚 = 𝑉𝜌 ∴𝑚∝𝐴

→ Size of nucleus is independent of atomic number (Z)

→ Size of nucleus is independent of nature of the atom i.e. the atom is ionized or neutral
Where, V= volume of the nucleus not of atom
R= Radius of nucleus
a= atomic mass number or Mass number
m= Mass of the nucleus
Problems:
125 27
1. What is the nuclear radius of Fe? If that of Al is 6.4 fm.
1
𝑅𝐹𝑒 125 5 5 3
= ⇒ = ∴ 𝑅𝐹𝑒 = × 6.4 = 10 𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖
𝑅𝐴𝑙 27 3 3
27
2. If the nuclear radius of Al is 3.6 fermi, the approximate nuclear radius
of 64Cu in fermi is
① 2.4 ② 1.2 ③ 4.8 ④ 3.6
(2012)
Ans:③
3. If the nucleus 𝟐𝟕
𝟏𝟑𝑨𝒍 has a nuclear radius of about 3.6 fm, then 𝟏𝟐𝟓
𝟑𝟐𝑻𝒆 would
have its radius approximately as
① 9.6 𝑓𝑚 ② 12.0𝑓𝑚 ③ 4.8 𝑓𝑚 ④ 6.0 𝑓𝑚
(2007)
Ans:④
4. The radius of germanium (Ge) nuclide is measured to be twice the radius of
𝟒𝑩𝒆. The number of nucleons is Ge are
𝟗

① 72 ② 73 ③ 74 ④ 75
(2006)
Ans:①
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5. The mass number of He is 4 and that of sulphur is 32. The radius of

sulphur nucleus is larger than that of helium by the factor of
① 4 ② 2 ③ 8 ④ 8
(1995)
Ans:②

6. The ratio of the radii of the nuclei 13Al27 and 52Te125 approximately
① 6: 10 ② 13: 52 ③ 40: 177 ④ 14: 73
(1990)
Ans:①
7. Two Cu64 nuclei touch each other. The electrostatics repulsive energy of the
system will be
1
⇒𝑅 = 1.2 × 10−15 64 3 = 1.2 × 10−15 × 4 = 4.8 × 10−15 𝑚
1 𝑍𝑒. 𝑍𝑒 9 × 109 × 29 × 29 × 1.6 × 10−19 2
𝑈= = ≈ 126.15
4𝜋𝜀0 2𝑟 2 × 4.8 × 10−15 𝑚
Problems on mass:

1. A heavy nucleus at rest breaks into two fragments which fly off with velocities
in the ratio 8:1. The ratio of radii of the fragments is
① 1: 2 ② 1: 4 ③ 4: 1 ④ 2: 1
(1995)
⇒Ans:①
We have from momentum conservation
0 = 𝑚1 𝑣1 + 𝑚2 𝑣2
4 4
𝑜𝑟, 𝜋𝑅13 𝜌 + 𝜋𝑅23 𝜌
3 3
𝑅1 3 𝑉2 1 1 3
= = =
𝑅2 𝑉1 8 2
𝑅1 1
=
𝑅2 2
𝑅1 : 𝑅2 = 1: 2
2. The volume occupied by an atom is greater than the volume of the nucleus by
a factor of about
① 101 ② 105 ③ 1010 ④ 1015
(2003)
Ans:④

Nuclear density:
4 4 1 3 4
Volume of nucleus = 3 𝜋𝑅 3 = 3 𝜋 𝑅0 𝐴 3 = 3 𝜋𝑅03 𝐴
𝑚𝐴 3𝑚
Density of nuclear matter 𝜌 = 4 = 𝜌 = 4𝜋𝑅 3 ≈ 2.3 × 1017 𝑘𝑔. 𝑚−3
𝜋𝑅03 𝐴 0
3

𝜌 ∝ 𝐴0
𝜌 ∝ 𝑍0
→ The density of nucleus is a constant
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→It is independent of A and Z

𝐷𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
Number of nucleon per unit volume = 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑠

10 17
= 1.67×10 −27 Nu/m3

= 1044 Nu/m3

Problems:
1. Two nuclei have their mass number in the ratio of 1:3 . The ratio of their nuclear
densities would be
① 1 ② 1: 1 ③ 1: 3 ④ 3: 1
3 3: 1
(2008)
Ans:②
2. The mass density of a nucleus varies with mass number A as
① 𝐴2 ② 𝐴 ③ 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 ④ 1/𝐴
(1992)
Ans:③

:Isotopes, Isobars and Isotones:

Isotopes:
Isotopes have same value of atomic number (Z) but different value of mass
number (A).
→Isotopes have the same place in the periodic table
→1H1, 1H2, 1H3, 8O16, 8O18, 2He3, 2He4, 6C12, 6C14, 17Cl35, 17Cl37, 3Li6, 3Li7
→The isotopes have the same atomic number. So, they have same chemical properties. Their
physical properties are different as they have different mass number. Two isotopes, thus
cannot be separated by chemical method but they can be separated from the physical
methods.
1. Two stable isotopes of 3Li6 have respective abundance of 7.5 % and 92.5 %.
Those isotopes have masses 6.01512U and 7.01600U respectively. Find the
atomic weight of lithium. (1998)
⇒𝐴𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 = 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑡𝑕𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
6.01512 × 7.5 + 7.01600 × 92.5
=
7.5 + 92.5
45.1134 + 648.98
= = 6.941𝑈
100
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2. The isotopes of chlorine 17Cl35 and 17Cl37 are found in the ratio 75.4% and 24.6%.
Calculate atomic mass.
⇒𝐴𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 35 × 0.754 + 37 × 0.246 = 35.5
3. Atomic weight of Boron is 10.81 and it has two isotopes 5B10 and 5B11. Then the ratio
of 5B10 : 5B11 in nature would be
① 15: 16 ② 10: 11 ③ 19: 81 ④ 81: 19
(1998)
Ans:③
Mirror nuclei:
Same mass number A but with proton number Z an neutron number (A-Z)
interchanged are called mirror nuclei.
1H and 2He , 3Li and 4Be .
3 3 7 7

Isobars:
Isobars have same value of mass number (A) but different value of atomic number (Z).
1H3, 2He3

Isotones: Isotones have same value of neutrons number (A-Z) but different value of atomic
number (Z).
3Li7 , 4Be8

1. Which one of the following pairs of nuclei are isotones?

① 34 𝑆𝑒, 31 𝐺𝑎71 ② 38 𝑆𝑟 84 , 38 𝑆𝑟 86 ③ 42 𝑀𝑜 82 , 40 𝑍𝑟 92 ④ 20 𝐶𝑎
40
, 16 𝑆 32
(2005)
Ans:①
2. The nuclei 6C13 , 7N14 can be described as
① 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠 ② 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠 ③ 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑏𝑜𝑛 ④ 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑛
(1990)
Ans:①
3. A nucleus represented by the symbol 𝐴𝑍 𝑋 has
① Z neutrons and A – Z protons
② Z protons and A –Z neutrons
③ Z protons and A neutrons
④ A protons and Z – A neutrons
(2004)
Ans:②
4. In the nucleus of 11Na23, the number of protons , neutrons and electrons are
① 11, 12, 0 ② 23, 12, 11 ③ 12, 11 , 0 ④ 23,11,12
(1991)
Ans:①
5. The constituents of atomic nuclei are believed to be
① Neutrons and protons
② Protons only
③ Electrons and protons
④ Electrons , protons and neutrons
(1991)
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Ans:①

Mass defect:-
Mass defect 𝛥𝑚 = (mass of isolated protons + mass of isolated neutrons – Total mass of the
nucleus)
𝛥𝑚 = 𝑍𝑚𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑚𝑛 − 𝑚𝑁 𝑚𝑁 → 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
Binding energy:-
𝐸 = 𝛥𝑚𝑐 2 = 𝛥𝑚 × 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉 𝑖𝑓 𝛥𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑚𝑢
Binding energy can also be written as
𝐸𝑏 = 𝑍𝑚𝐻 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑚𝑁 − 𝑚𝐴 [𝐴𝑠 1𝑎𝑚𝑢 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 = 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦]
𝑚𝐴 → 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑍 𝑋
𝑚𝐻 → 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐻 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚
1. Find the binding energy an α- particle from the following data: Mass of the
helium nucleus m (2H4)=4.001265 U, Mass of proton mP=1.007277 U, mass of
neutrons mN=1.008666 U
⇒𝛥𝑚 = 2 × 1.007277 + 2 × 1.008666 − 4.001265
= 0.3062 𝑈
∴ 𝐸0 = 0.3062 × 931 = 28.52 𝑀𝑒𝑉

Binding energy per nucleon:

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐸0
𝐸𝑏 = =
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝐴
[Binding energy per nucleon ∝ stability of nucleus]
Binding energy per nucleus defines the stability of nucleus.
Atomic mass unit or amu:
1
The amu is defined as 12 𝑡𝑕 mass of a 6C12 atom
1 𝑎𝑚𝑢 = 1.66 × 10−27 𝑘𝑔
1 𝑎𝑚𝑢 = 931.5 𝑀𝑒𝑉 = 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉

:Binding energy curve:

⧉ It is the graph between binding energy per nucleon and total number
of nucleons (i.e. mass number A)
⧉ The curve has almost a flat
maximum roughly from A=50 to A
=80 corresponding to an average
BE/Nucleons of about 8.5 MeV
⧉ The nuclei having mass number
between 50 to 80 are most stable.
⧉ Iron Fe(A=56) has maximum binding
energy per nucleons
⧉ For nuclei having mass number
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more than 80. The average binding energy per nucleon decreases
slowly and drop to about 7.6MeV for Uranium (A=238)

Conclusion from the graph:

Stability depends on B.E/ nucleons. Every atom’s nucleons wants to increase its stability
By increasing the B.E/nucleons.
To do this
a) Heavy nuclei break into lighter nuclei and release energy. This process is called
nuclear fission. It is the basis of nuclear bombs and nuclear reactors.
b) Light nuclei are combined to form a heavier nuclei and release energy greater than
nuclear fission. This process is called Nuclear Fusion.
It occurs inside sun and other stars and H-bombs

Problems:

1. How does the Binding energy per nucleon vary with the increasing in the
number of nucleons?
① Decrease continuously with mass number
② First decreases and then increases with increase in mass number
③ First increase and then decreases with increase in mass number
④ Increases continuously with mass number
(2013)
Ans: ③
2. Fission of nuclei is possible because the binding energy per nucleon in them
① Increases with mass number at low mass numbers
② Decreases with mass number at low mass numbers
③ Increases with mass number at high mass number
④ Decreases with mass number at high mass number
(2005)
Ans: ④
3. Which of the following are suitable for the fusion process?
① Light nuclei
② Heavy nuclei
③ Element lying in the middle of the periodic table
④ Middle elements which are lying on binding energy curve
(2002)
Ans: ①
4. The average binding energy of a nucleon inside an atomic nucleus is about
① 8 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 8𝑒𝑉 ③ 8𝐽 ④ 8 𝑒𝑟𝑔
(1989)
Ans:①
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:Q- Value:
Q- Value means the difference between the rest mass energy of initial
constituents and the rest mass energy of final constituents of a nuclear reaction.
We can calculate Q- Value by
i. Mass defect method
ii. Binding energy method
iii. Kinetic energy method

i. Mass defect method:

𝑄 = 𝑈𝑖 − 𝑈𝑓

Where ,
𝑈𝑖 = Rest mass energy of initial constituents
𝑈𝑓 = Rest mass energy of final constituents
ii. Binding energy method:
𝑄 = 𝐵. 𝐸 𝑓 − 𝐵. 𝐸 𝑖
Where ,
𝐵. 𝐸 𝑓 = Total Binding energy (B.E) of final constituents
𝐵. 𝐸 𝑖 = Total Binding energy (B.E) of initial constituents
iii. Kinetic energy Method:
𝑄 = 𝐾. 𝐸 𝑓 − 𝐾. 𝐸 𝑖
Where ,
𝐾. 𝐸 𝑓 = Total Kinetic energy (K.E) of final constituents
𝐾. 𝐸 𝑖 = Total Kinetic energy (K.E) of initial constituents
Q value of nuclear reaction
As considered, 𝑋 + 𝑎 → 𝑌 + 𝑏 + 𝑄
Where, 𝑄 = 𝑈𝑖 − 𝑈𝑓
Here, 𝑈𝑖 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
𝑈𝑓 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
= 𝑀𝑋 + 𝑚𝑎 − 𝑀𝑌 − 𝑀𝑏 . 𝑐 2
If, Q = +ve= reaction is exothermic [radiate heat]
Q = -ve= reaction is endothermic [absorbs heat]
e.g.,
For α-decay, 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 → 𝑍−2 𝑌 𝐴−4 + 2 𝐻𝑒 4
So, Q value will be,
𝑄 = 𝑚 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 − 𝑚 𝑍−2 𝑌 𝐴−4 − 𝑚 2 𝐻𝑒 4 . 𝑐 2
This represents the kinetic energy available to the products.
-
For β decay , 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 → 𝑍+1 𝑌 𝐴 + 𝑒 − + 𝜈
𝑈𝑖 = 𝑚 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 − 𝑍𝑚𝑒 . 𝑐 2
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𝑈𝑓 = 𝑚 𝑍+1 𝑌 𝐴 − 𝑍 + 1 𝑚𝑒 + 𝑚𝑒 . 𝑐 2
⇒Kinetic energy available to the products,
𝑄 = 𝑈𝑖 − 𝑈𝑓 = 𝑚 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 − 𝑚 𝑍+1 𝑌 𝐴 . 𝑐 2
+
For β - decay, 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 → 𝑍−1 𝑌 𝐴 + 𝑒 + + 𝜈
𝑈𝑖 = 𝑚 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 − 𝑍𝑚𝑒 . 𝑐 2
𝑈𝑓 = 𝑚 𝑍−1 𝑌 𝐴 − 𝑍 − 1 𝑚𝑒 + 𝑚𝑒 . 𝑐 2
⇒Kinetic energy available to the products,
𝑄 = 𝑚 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 − 𝑚 𝑍−1 𝑌 𝐴 − 2𝑚𝑒 . 𝑐 2
For electron capture, 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 → 𝑍−1 𝑌 𝐴

𝐴 𝐴
𝑄= 𝑚 𝑍𝑋 −𝑚 𝑍−1 𝑌 . 𝑐2

Problems:
1. The binding energy per nucleon of 73𝐿𝑖 and 42𝐻𝑒 nuclei are 5.6 MeV and 7.06
MeV respectively. In the nuclear reaction 73𝐿𝑖 + 11𝐻 → 42𝐻𝑒 + 42𝐻𝑒 + 𝑄 the
value of energy Q released is
① 19.6 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② −2.4 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 8.4 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 17.3 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(2014)
Ans: ④
2. A certain mass of Hydrogen is changed to Helium by the process of fusion.
The mass defect in fusion reaction is 0.02866 u. The energy liberated per u is
(given 1 u=931 MeV)
① 6.675 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 13.35 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 2.67 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 26.7 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(NEET 2013)
Ans: ①
3. The binding energy per nucleon in deuterium and helium nuclei are 1.1 MeV
and 7.0 MeV, respectively. When two deuterium nuclei fuse to form a helium
nucleus the energy released in the fusion is
① 23.6 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 2.2 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 28.0 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 30.2 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(Mains 2010)
Ans: ①
4. If M(A; Z), 𝑀𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑛 denote the masses of the nucleus 𝐴𝑍 𝑋, proton and neutron
respectively in units of u (1 u= 931.5 MeV/c2) and BE represents its binding
energy in MeV, then
① 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 − 𝐵𝐸
② 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 + 𝐵𝐸 𝑐 2
③ 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 − 𝐵𝐸 𝑐 2
④ 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 + 𝐵𝐸
(2008, 2004)
Ans: ③
5. A nucleus 𝐴𝑍 𝑋 has a mass represented by M(A, Z). If 𝑀𝑝 and 𝑀𝑛 denote the
mass of proton and neutron respectively and B.E. the binding energy in MeV,
then
① 𝐵. 𝐸. = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 − 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 𝑐 2
② 𝐵. 𝐸. = 𝑍𝑀𝑃 + 𝐴𝑀𝑛 − 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 𝑐 2
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③ 𝐵. 𝐸. = 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 − 𝑍𝑀𝑃 − 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛
④ 𝐵. 𝐸. = 𝑀 𝐴, 𝑍 − 𝑍𝑀𝑃 − 𝐴 − 𝑍 𝑀𝑛 𝑐 2
(2007)
Ans: ①
6. The binding energy of deuteron is 2.2 MeV and that of 42𝐻𝑒 is 28 MeV. If two
deuterons are fused to form one 42𝐻𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑛 the energy released is
① 30.2 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 25.8 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 23.6 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 19.2 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(2006)
Ans: ③

7. In the reaction 21𝐻 + 31𝐻 → 42𝐻𝑒 + 10𝑛, if the binding energies 21𝐻, 31𝐻 𝑎𝑛𝑑 42𝐻𝑒 are
respectively a, b and c (in MeV), then the energy (in MeV) released in this
reaction is
① 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐 ② 𝑎+𝑏−𝑐 ③ 𝑐−𝑎−𝑏 ④ 𝑐+𝑎−𝑏
(2005)
Ans: ③
8. The binding energies per nucleon for a deuteron and an 𝛼 −particle are
𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 respectively. The energy Q released in the reaction
2
𝐻1 + 2𝐻1 → 4𝐻𝑒2 + 𝑄 ,is
① 4 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 ② 4 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ③ 2 𝑥2 − 𝑥1 ④ 2(𝑥1 + 𝑥2 )
(1995)
Ans: ②
9. The mass of a 73𝐿𝑖 nucleus is 0.042 u less than the sum of the masses of all its
nucleons. The binding energy per nucleon of 73𝐿𝑖 nucleus is nearly
① 46 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 5.6 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 3.9𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 23 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(2010)
Ans: ②

10. In any fission process the ratio

𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠
𝑖𝑠
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
① 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 1
② 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 1
③ 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 1
④ 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠.
(2005)
Ans: ③
11. If in a nuclear fusion process the masses of the fusing nuclei be m1 and m2
and the mass of the resultant nucleus be m3, then
① 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 ② 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 − 𝑚2
③ 𝑚3 < 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 ④ 𝑚3 > 𝑚1 + 𝑚2
(2004)
Ans: ③
12. The mass of proton is 1.0073 u and that of neutron is 1.0087 u (u= atomic
mass unit).
The binding energy of 42𝐻𝑒 is ( Given helium nucleus mass = 4.0015 u)
 Page-10

① 0.0305 𝐽 ② 0.0305 𝑒𝑟𝑔 ③ 28.4 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 0.061 𝑢

(2003)
Ans: ③
13. The mass number of nucleus is
① 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
② 𝑎𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
③ 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑕𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
④ 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑕𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟
(2003)
Ans: ③
14. Mn and MP represent the mass of neutron and proton respectively. An element
having mass M has N neutrons and Z protons, then the correct relation will be
① 𝑀 < 𝑁. 𝑀𝑛 + 𝑍. 𝑀𝑝
② 𝑀 > 𝑁. 𝑀𝑛 + 𝑍. 𝑀𝑝
③ 𝑀 = 𝑁. 𝑀𝑛 + 𝑍. 𝑀𝑝
④ 𝑀 = 𝑁 𝑀𝑛 + 𝑀𝑝
(2001)
Ans: ①
15. The energy equivalent of one atomic mass unit is
① 1.6 × 10−19 𝐽 ② 6.02 × 1023 𝐽
③ 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 9.31 𝑀𝑒𝑉
(1992)
Ans: ③
16. The mass of α-particle is
① 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛
② 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠
③ 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠
④ 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠
(2003)
Ans: ①

Nuclear force:
Nuclear force is a short range force about few fm. That keep the nucleons
bound in the nucleus are called nuclear force.
Properties:
1) Nuclear force is the short range force. This does not exit at large distance
greater than 10−15 m.
2) Nuclear forces are the strongest force in nature
3) These are attractive force and causes stability of the nucleus.
4) These forces are charge independent. i.e. Nuclear force between:-
PN=PP=NN
5) Nuclear forces are non-central force
6) It is independent of pressure, volume and temperature.
 Page-11

Net force between nucleons is the resultant force between nuclear force
and coulombs’ force.
𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝑛𝑢𝑐 − 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙
𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏 ≠ 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑃
𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐹𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙 = 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑁𝑃 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑁
𝑠𝑜, 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑁𝑁 = 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑁𝑃 > 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑃𝑃

Yukawa’s Meson theory of nuclear forces:

A Japanese scientist Yukawa in 1935 suggested that the nuclear forces are
‘exchange force’ which are produced by the exchange of new particles called π- mesons
between nucleons. These particles were later on actually discovered in cosmic radiation.

These are three of π-mesons, π+, π- and π0 . There is a continuous exchange of

π-mesons between protons and neutrons due to which they continue to be converted
into one another.

𝑝 → 𝜋 + + 𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 → 𝑝 + 𝜋 −

The forces between a pair of neutrons or a pair of protons are the result of the
exchange of neutral meson (π0) between them i.e.,

𝑝 → 𝑝′ + 𝜋 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 → 𝑛′ + 𝜋 0

Thus exchange of π meson between nucleons keeps the nucleons bound together.
It is responsible for the ‘nuclear force’.

1. If the nuclear force between two protons, two neutrons and between proton
and neutron is denoted by FPP’ Fnn and Fpn respectively then
① 𝐹𝑃𝑃 ′ = 𝐹𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝑝𝑛
② 𝐹𝑝𝑝 ≠ 𝐹𝑛𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐹𝑝𝑝 = 𝐹𝑛𝑛
③ 𝐹𝑝𝑝 = 𝐹𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝑝𝑛
④ 𝐹𝑝𝑝 ≠ 𝐹𝑛𝑛 ≠ 𝐹𝑝𝑛
(1991)
Ans:③
2. Which of the following statement is true for nuclear forces?
① 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑦 𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑦 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
② 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑦 𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑦 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
③ 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑕𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠.
④ 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡𝑕 𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠.
(1990)
Ans:③
 Page-12

Alpha decay:
This decay occurs generally when mass number exceeds 210 (A>210)
𝐴 𝐴−4 4 2+
𝑍 𝑋 → 𝑍−2𝑌 + 𝛼 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 2𝐻𝑒
→By the emission of α particle atomic number decrease by 2 unit and mass number decrease by 4
unit.
So, the resultant atom is situated to column left in the periodic table.
Caculation of velocity of daughter nuclei by conservation of momentum :
𝐴 𝐴−4 4 2+
𝑍 𝑋 → 𝑍−2𝑌 + 2𝐻𝑒
𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡
From the conservation of momentum [𝑊𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑒,
∴ 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑃𝑓 𝑃𝑖 = 𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚
0 = 𝑚 𝑉 + 𝑚 𝑉 [𝐴𝑠 𝐴𝑋, 𝑠𝑜 𝑃 = 0] 𝑃𝑓 = 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚]
𝛼 𝛼 𝑦 𝑦 𝑍 𝑖
𝑜𝑟, 0 = 4𝑉𝛼 + 𝐴 − 4 𝑉𝑦
−4𝑉𝛼
𝑜𝑟, 𝑉𝑦 =
(𝐴 − 4)
Calculation of K.E. from Q value :
𝐴 𝐴−4
𝑍𝑋 → 𝑍−2 𝑌 + 42𝐻𝑒 2+
𝑃2
We have K.E.= 2𝑚 where P → momentum
Being P is constant from the conservation of momentum
1
∴ 𝐾. 𝐸. ∝
𝑚
So, K.E. will divide in the inverse ratio like current.

(𝐴 − 4) 𝐴−4
𝐾𝛼 = 𝑄(𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒) = 𝑄
𝐴−4 +4 𝐴
4𝑄 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒
𝐾𝑦 = 𝐴
∴ 𝐾𝛼 > 𝐾𝑦

1. The nucleus of element X(A=220) undergoes 𝛼-decay. If Q-value of the

reaction is 5.5 MeV, then approximate kinetic energy of 𝛼-particle is
① 5.6 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ② 5.4 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ③ 4.9 𝑀𝑒𝑉 ④ 5.5 𝑀𝑒𝑉
Ans:②
𝐴 − 4 𝑄 220 − 4
𝐾𝛼 = = × 6.5 = 5.4 𝑀𝑒𝑉(𝑎𝑛𝑠)
𝐴 220

2. A nucleus of uranium decays at rest into nuclei of thorium and helium. Then
① 𝑇𝑕𝑒 𝑕𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠. 𝑞
② 𝑇𝑕𝑒 𝑕𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
③ 𝑇𝑕𝑒 𝑕𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠.
④ 𝑇𝑕𝑒 𝑕𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠.
(2015)
Ans:③
 Page-13

Beta(β) decay:
0
+𝛽 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 +1𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛
0
−𝛽 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 −1𝑒 (𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛)
-β decay:
1
0𝑛 → 1 𝑃1 + −1 𝑒
0
+ 𝜈 𝐴𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜, 𝑤𝑕𝑖𝑐𝑕 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑕𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒
𝐴 𝐴 0
𝑍 𝑋 → 𝑧+1𝑌 + −1𝑒 + 𝜈
+β decay:
1
→ 10𝑛 + +10𝑒 + 𝜈 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜
1𝑃
𝐴 𝐴 0
𝑍 𝑋 → 𝑧−1𝑌 + +1𝑒 + 𝜈
→In –β decay or +β decay mass number will not changed.
→ But in –β decay atomic number increased by 1.
→But in + β decay Atomic number decreased by 1.

Gamma(γ) decay:
After the emission of 𝛼 & 𝛽 decay, the daughter nuclei are excited state. To
have ground state that nucleus radiates γ-ray. This ray is E.M. wave in nature.

Comparison of the properties of α-Particle, β- particle and γ-rays:

Serial No. Property Α-Particle Β- particle γ-ray

1. Nature Helium nucleus Fast moving Electromagnetic
2 neutron, 2 protons electrons waves
2. Charge +2e −𝑒 Zero
3. Rest mass 6.67 × 10−27 𝑘𝑔 9.1 × 10−31 𝑘𝑔 Zero
4. Speed 1.4 × 107 𝑚 1 𝑡𝑜 99% 𝑜𝑓 𝑐 𝑐 = 3 × 108 𝑚𝑠 −1
2.2 × 107 𝑚𝑠 −1 = 3 × 108 𝑚𝑠 −1
5. Ionising power 104 102 1
6. Penetrating 1 102 104
Power

Problems:
1. α-particle, β- particles and γ- rays are all having same energy. Their
penetrating power in a given medium in increasing order will be
① 𝛾, 𝛼, 𝛽 ② 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 ③ 𝛽, 𝛼, 𝛾 ④ 𝛽, 𝛾, 𝛼
(Karnataka NEET 2013)
Ans:③
2. α- particle consists of
① 2 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦
② 2 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦
③ 2 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠, 2 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠
④ 2 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 4 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦
 Page-14

(NEET 2019)
Ans:②
3. A radioactive nucleus undergoes a series of decay according to the scheme
𝛼 𝛽 𝛼 𝛾
180
72 𝐴 𝐴1 𝐴2 𝐴3 𝐴4
Calculate the mass number and atomic number of A4
⇒ 180 𝐴
72 𝐴 → 𝑍 𝐴4 + 2𝛼 2 𝐻𝑒
4
+ 𝛽 −10𝑒 + 𝛾
180 = 𝐴 + 8 ∴ 𝐴 = 172 𝑜𝑟, 72 = 𝑍 + 4 − 1 𝑜𝑟, 𝑍 = 69
4. An atomic nucleus 90 𝑇𝑕 232
emits several α and β radiations and finally
reduces to 82 𝑃𝑏 208 . Calculate the number of α and β particle.
⇒ 90 𝑇𝑕232 → 82 𝑃𝑏 208 + 𝑥 42𝐻𝑒 + 𝑦 −10𝑒
⇒ 232 = 208 + 4𝑥 Where,
𝑜𝑟, 𝑥 = 6 X→number of α- particle
90 = 82 + 2𝑥 − 𝑦 Y → number of β - particle
𝑜𝑟, 8 = 2 × 6 − 𝑦
𝑜𝑟, 𝑦 = 4
5. A nucleus 𝑚𝑛 𝑋 emits one α particle and two β- particles. The resulting nucleus
is
① 𝑚 −6 ② 𝑚 −6 ③ 𝑚 −4𝑛 𝑋 ④ 𝑚 −4
𝑛−4𝑍 𝑛𝑍 𝑛−2𝑌
(2011)
Ans:③
6. In the nuclear decay given below
𝐴 𝐴 𝐴−4 ∗ 𝐴−4
𝑍 𝑋 → 𝑧+1𝑌 → 𝑍−2𝐵 → 𝑍−2𝐵,
the particles emitted in the sequence are
① 𝛾, 𝛽, 𝛼 ② 𝛽, 𝛾, 𝛼 ③ 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾 ④ 𝛽, 𝛼, 𝛾
(2009, 1993)
Ans:④
7. The number of beta particles emitted by a radioactive substance is twice the
number of alpha particles emitted by it. The resulting daughter is an
① 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
② 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
③ 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
④ 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
(2009)
Ans:③
8. In a radioactive decay process, the negatively charged emitted β – particles
are
① 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
② 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠
③ 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
④ 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠.
(2007)
Ans:①
9. A nuclear reaction given by 𝑍 𝑋 𝐴 → 𝑍+1 𝑌 𝐴 + −1 𝑒 0 + 𝜈 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
① 𝛽 − 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 ② 𝛾 − 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 ③ 𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 ④ 𝑓𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
(2003)
 Page-15

Ans:①
10. A deuteron is bombarded on 8 𝑂16 nucleus then α – particle is emitted. The
product nucleus is
① 13 ② 10 ③ 9 ④ 14
7𝑁 5𝐵 4 𝐵𝑒 7𝑁
(2002)
Ans:④
11. Which rays contain (positive) charged particles?
① 𝛼 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ② 𝛽 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ③ 𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ④ 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠
(2001)
Ans:①
12. 𝑋 𝑛. 𝛼 73𝐿𝑖, then X will be
① 10 ② 9 ③ 11 ④ 4
5𝐵 5𝐵 4𝐵𝑒 2𝐻𝑒
(2001)
Ans:①
13. For the given reaction, the particle X is
① 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛 ② 𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑖 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜 ③ 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑜 ④ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛
(2000)
Ans:③
14. Alpha particles are
① 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑕 h𝑕
𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑑 ② 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛 ③ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 ④ 𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑧𝑒𝑑 𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕𝑕
𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠
(1999)
Ans:④
15. After 1α and 2β – emissions
① 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑦 6
② 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑦 4
③ 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑦 2
④ 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑕𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑑
(1999)
Ans:②, ④
16. Complete the equation for the following fission process
235
92 𝑈 + 0 𝑛1 → 38 𝑆𝑟 90 + ⋯
① 57 𝑋142 + 3 0 𝑛1 ② 54 𝑋145 + 3 0 𝑛1
143
③ 54 𝑋 + 3 0 𝑛1 ④ 54 𝑋
142
+ 0 𝑛1
(1998)
Ans:③
17. A nucleus 𝑛 𝑋 𝑚 emits one α and two β particles. The resulting nucleus is
① 𝑛−4 𝑍 𝑚−4 ② 𝑛−2 𝑌 𝑚−4
③ 𝑚 −4 ④ 𝑚 −4
𝑛𝑋 𝑛𝑍
(1998)
Ans:③
18. The most penetrating radiation out of the following are
① 𝛽 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ② 𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ③ 𝑋 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠 ④ 𝛼 − 𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑠
(1997)
Ans:②
19. What is the respective number of α and β particles emitted in the following
radioactive decay?
200
𝑋90 → 168 𝑌80
① 8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8 ② 8 𝑎𝑛𝑑 6 ③ 6 𝑎𝑛𝑑 8 ④ 6 𝑎𝑛𝑑 6
 Page-16

(1995)
Ans:②
20. The nucleus 6 𝐶 12 absorbs an energetic neutron and emits a beta particle (β).
The resulting nucleus is
① 14 ② 14 ③ 13 ④ 13
7𝑁 7𝑁 5𝐵 6𝐶
(1990)
Ans:②
21. An element A decays into element C by a two step process
𝐴 → 𝐵 + 2 𝐻𝑒 4 ; 𝐵 → 𝐶 + 2𝑒 −1 , 𝑇𝑕𝑒𝑛
① 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
② 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠
③ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑠
④ 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠
(1989)
Ans:①

48 𝐶𝑑 after two successive β- decay will give

22. The nucleus 115
① 115
46 𝑃𝑎 ② 114
49𝐼𝑛 ③ 113 50 𝑆𝑛 ④ 115
50 𝑆𝑛
(1988)
Ans:④

Recoil velocity calculation of atom after γ-decay by momentum Conservation:

𝐸 𝑕
𝑉 = − 𝑐𝑚 𝐴𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑕𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝜆

𝑕 𝑕 𝐸 𝑕 𝐸
0 = 𝑚𝑣 + 𝑜𝑟, 𝑣 = − 𝑣=− 𝐴𝑠 =
𝜆 𝜆𝑚 𝑐𝑚 𝜆 𝑐

1. A radioactive nucleus of mass M emits a photon of frequency 𝜈 and the

nucleus recoils. The recoil energy will be
① 𝑀𝑐 2 − 𝑕𝜈 ② 𝑕2 𝜈 2
2𝑀𝑐 2
③ 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 ④ 𝑕𝜈
(2011)
Ans:②
 Page-17

:Pair production and Pair annihilation:

Pair production:
When highly energetic γ-radiation photon (≥ 1.02 𝑀𝑒𝑉) are incident on
heavy nucleus then the photons are absorbed by nucleus and emits electron and
position. This phenomenon is called Pair Production.

Minimum energy of 𝜸 − radiation:

𝑈𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝛥𝑚 × 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉
= 2𝑚𝑒 × 931 𝑀𝑒𝑉 𝐴𝑠 𝑚𝑒 × 931 = 0.51 𝑀𝑒𝑉 = 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑛
𝑈𝑚𝑖𝑛 1.02 𝑀𝑒𝑉
When the γ radiation has more than 1.02 MeV energy, then the –e0+ +e0 gain extra K.E.
Pair production:
→2𝛾(radiation)
1e0 + +1e0

Minimum energy realized = 1.02 MeV.

1. When 𝛾 − 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 photon are incident on nucleus then electron

and position pair are formed and they have, combined K.E of 0.98
MeV. Calculate Energy of 𝛾 − 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.
⇒ 𝐾. 𝐸 𝑜𝑓 𝛾 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 1.02 + 0.98 𝑀𝑒𝑉 = 2.0 𝑀𝑒𝑉.

Nuclear fission
The process of splitting of a heavy nucleus into two lighter nuclei of comparable
mass and with energetic particles by hitting with neutron.

235
92 𝑈 + 0 𝑛1 → 92 𝑈
236
→ 56 𝐵𝑒 144 +
+ 3 0 𝑛1 + 𝑄
36 𝐾𝑟
89

[𝑤𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑄 = 200𝑀𝑒𝑉]
 Energy released in 𝑈 235 fission is about 200 MeV.
200 𝑀𝑒𝑉
 Energy released per nucleon = 235 = 0.8 𝑀𝑒𝑉
 Average 2.5 neutrons are liberated with energy 2 MeV(each)
 These neutrons are called fast neutrons
 Slow neutrons only of energy about 1 eV can occurs fission
 To slow down the fast moving neutrons, most commonly used
moderators like graphite and heavy water (D2O).
Nuclear fission is best explained by liquid droplet theory.
 Page-18

Chain reaction:
In nuclear fission many neutrons are produced along with the release of large
energy. Under favourable conditions these neutrons can cause further fission of other nuclei,
producing large number of neutrons.

These are two types of chain reaction

1) Controlled chain reaction:
In this process excess
neutrons are absorbed to control the
chain reaction.
→ Nuclear reaction works on this
principle.

2) Uncontrolled chain reaction:

In this process excess
neutrons are not absorbed and the
chain reaction keeps on increasing
the neutrons.
→ Atom bombs works on this
principle.

Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear fission can be carried out through a
sustained and controlled chain reaction.
Construction:
The key components of the nuclear reactor are as follows
(i) Fissionable material (Fuel) : The fissionable material used in the
reactor in the reactor is called the fuel of the reactor. Uranium
isotope ( 𝑈 235 ), thorium isotope ( 𝑇𝑕232 ) and plutonium isotopes
𝑃𝑢239 , 𝑃𝑢240 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃𝑢241 𝑎𝑟𝑒 the most commonly used fuel in the
reactor.
(ii) Moderator : Moderator is used to slow down the fast moving
neutrons. Most commonly used moderators are graphite and heavy
water (D2O). Heavy water is the best moderator.
(iii) Control rods: Cadmium rods are inserted into the core of the reactor
because they can absorb the neutrons. The neutrons available for
fission are controlled by moving the cadmium rods in or out of the
core of the reactor.
 Page-19

(iv) Coolant: It is a liquid used to remove heat from nuclear reactor core
and transfer it to electrical generator and environment. Ordinary
water under high pressure is used as coolant.
(v) Shielding: It is the protective covering made of concrete wall to
protect from harmful radiations.

Uses of nuclear reactor:

i) In electric power generation.
ii) To produce radioactive isotopes for their use in
medical, science, agriculture and industry.
iii) In manufacturing of 𝑃𝑢239 which is used in atom bomb
Nuclear fusion:
2
1𝐻 + 1 𝐻2 → 1 𝐻3 + 1 𝐻1 + 4𝑀𝑒𝑉
High temperature – 107 𝐾 𝑡𝑜 108 𝐾
High pressure −106 𝑎𝑡𝑚

 solar energy is produced by this process

 Hydrogen bomb is produced by this process
 Extremely high temperature needed for fusion which makes kinetic energy
large enough to overcome coulomb repulsion between the nuclei.

1. Fusion reaction takes place at high temperature because

① 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑡 𝑕𝑖𝑔𝑕 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
② 𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑕𝑖𝑔𝑕 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
③ 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑖𝑠 𝑕𝑖𝑔𝑕 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔𝑕 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑜𝑚𝑏 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖
④ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑘 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑡 𝑕𝑖𝑔𝑕 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒
(2011)
Ans:③
2. Solar energy is mainly caused due to
① 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑕𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑜𝑥𝑦𝑔𝑒𝑛
② 𝑓𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑛
③ 𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑕𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠
④ 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
(2003)
Ans:③
3. Which of the following are suitable for the fusion process?
① 𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖
② 𝑕𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑦 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖
③ 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑑𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒
④ 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠, 𝑤𝑕𝑖𝑐𝑕 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑣𝑒.
(2002)
Ans:①
4. Energy released in nuclear fission is due to
① 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
② 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛
𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
 Page-20

③ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡𝑕𝑎𝑛

𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
④ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑜
𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
(2001)
Ans:①

5. Nuclear fission is best explained by

① 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦
② 𝑌𝑢𝑘𝑎𝑤𝑎 𝜋 − 𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑦
③ 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑙𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑕𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑢𝑠
④ 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛 − 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑒
(2000)
Ans:①

6. Which of the following is used as a moderator in nuclear reaction?

① 𝑐𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑢𝑚 ② 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚 ③ 𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑢𝑚 ④ 𝑕𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
(1997)
Ans:④
7. Solar energy is due to
① 𝑓𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
② 𝑓𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
③ 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑏𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 reaction
④ 𝑐𝑕𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
(1992)
Ans:①

Problem related to energy produced:

1. Energy released in the fission of a single 235

92𝑈 nucleus is 200MeV. The fission
235
rate of a 92𝑈 filled reactor operating at a power level of 5W is
① 1.56 × 10−10 𝑆 −1 ② 1.56 × 1011 𝑆 −1 ③ 1.56 × 10−16 𝑆 −1 ④ 1.56 × 1017 𝑆 −1
(1993)
⇒ Ans: ②
𝑁 𝑁 5
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = × 200𝑀𝑒𝑉 𝑜𝑟 = = 1.56 × 1011 𝑆 −1
𝑡 𝑡 200 × 10 × 1.6 × 10−19
6
2. The power obtained in a rector using 𝑈 235 disintegration is 1000 kW. The mass
decay of 𝑈 235 per hour is
① 10 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 ② 20 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
③ 40 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚 ④ 1 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚
(2011)
Ans:③
 Page-21

Rutherford and Soddy’s law regarding radioactive decay:-

The rate of decay of radioactive nuclei at any instant is proportional to the
number of nuclei present at that instant.
𝑑𝑁 𝑑𝑁
− ∝ 𝑁 𝑜𝑟 − = 𝜆𝑁
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
N=number of undecayed nuclei
𝑑𝑁
→ 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
𝑑𝑡
𝜆 →Decay constant or disintegration constant or radioactive constant or
transformation constant
→ For a given element, the value of λ is constant and independent of temperature or compound or
surrounding.
𝑁 = 𝑁0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡

N=0 when 𝑡 = ∞ i.e. radioactive substance will take infinite time to decaying completely.

Probability of decay
𝑁𝑜 − 𝑁 1
=1− 𝑛
𝑁0 2
Probability of survive
𝑁 1
= 𝑛
𝑁0 2

Activity of radioactive substance:

The rate of decay of a radioactive substance is called the activity (R) of the
substance.
𝑑𝑁
𝑅=− = 𝜆𝑁
𝑑𝑡
𝑅 = 𝜆𝑁 = 𝜆𝑁0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡
𝑅 = 𝑅0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡
Units of activity:

Unit of decay rate or activity is Bq (Becquerel)

Practical unit, 1𝐵𝑞 = 1 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦 𝑆 , 1 𝐶𝑖 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒 = 3.7 × 1010 𝐵𝑞 , 1𝑅𝑑 𝑅𝑢𝑡𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑑 = 106 𝐵𝑞

Half life:
The time interval in which the mass of a radioactive substance, the number of
its nuclei is reduced to half its initial value is called ‘half-life’ of that substance.
0.6931
𝑇1 = log 𝑒 𝑎 = 2.303 log10 𝑎
2 𝜆
After n half-life the number of nuclei left undecayed is given by
𝑁 𝑅
𝑡 = 𝑛 𝑇1 , 𝑁 = 2𝑛0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅 = 2𝑛0
2
 Page-22

Note: The half-life rule is applicable to any fraction

𝑡1 𝑁0 𝑡 1 3 𝑁0 𝑡 1 3 𝑁0
3
𝑁0 … … ….
3 32 33
Where,
𝑇1 = 𝐻𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
2
𝑁 = 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖
𝑡 = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑛 𝑕𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒
𝑅 = 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

Average or mean life of radioactive substance:

1 𝑇1
2
𝜏=𝜆 𝜏 = 0.6931 = 1.443 𝑇1
2

𝑁 = 𝑁0 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡
𝑜𝑟, log 𝑁 = log 𝑁0 + log 𝑒 −𝜆𝑡
𝑜𝑟, log 𝑁 = log 𝑁0 − 𝜆𝑡
𝑦 = −𝜆𝑥 + 𝐶

2.3 𝑁0 2.3 𝜇0
𝑡= log10 = log e
𝜆 𝑁 𝜆 𝐴
2.3 𝑁1
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = log10 𝑁1 → 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖 𝑎𝑡 𝑡1
𝜆 𝑁2
𝑁2 → 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑢𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑖 𝑎𝑡 𝑡2

Application of radioactivity:

I. Na-24 is used for testing blood circulation

II. Radio mercurry -203 is used for detecting brain tumor.
III. Phosphorous -31 is used for skin diseases.
IV. C14 is used for determining age of archiological sample.

Problems:

1. Half –life of two radioactive substances A and B are respectively 20 min and
40 min. Initially the samples of A and B have equal number of nuclei. After 80
min the ratio of the remaining number of A and B nuclei is
① 1: 16 ② 4; 1 ③ 1: 4 ④ 1: 1
→ 𝐴𝑛𝑠: ③
80 80
𝑇𝐴 = 20 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠, 𝑇𝐵 = 40𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑛𝐴 = = 4 𝑛𝐵 = =2
20 40
𝑁𝑂𝐴 𝑁𝑂𝐴 𝑁𝑂𝐵 𝑁𝑂𝐴 𝑁𝐴 22 1
𝑁𝐴 = = , 𝑁𝐵 = = , ∴ = =
2𝑛 𝐴 24 2𝑛 𝐵 22 𝑁𝐵 24 4
𝑁𝐴 : 𝑁𝐵 = 1: 4
 Page-23

2. Half –life of a radioactive substance A is two times the half life of another
radioactive substance B. Initially the number of nuclei of A and B are NA and
NB respectively. After three half-lives of A number of nuclei of both are equal,
then the ratio 𝑁𝑎 /𝑁𝐵 is
① 1 ② 1 ③ 1 ④ 1
4 8 3 6
Ans : ②

𝑡 3𝑇
𝑇𝐴 = 2𝑇𝐵 , 𝑁𝑂𝐴 = 𝑁𝐴 , 𝑁𝑂𝐵 = 𝑁𝐵 , 𝑛𝐴 = 3 𝑛𝐵 = 𝑇 = 𝑇 𝐴
𝐵 𝐵
𝑁𝑂𝐴 𝑁𝑂𝐵 𝑁𝑂𝐴 𝑁𝑂𝐵
𝑁1 = 𝑛 𝑁2 = 𝑛 ∴ 𝑁1 = 𝑁2 𝑜𝑟, 3 = 6
2 𝐴 2 𝐵 2 2
𝑁𝑂𝐴 1
=
𝑁𝑂𝐵 8
3. Two radio active materials λ1 and λ2 contain same number of nuclei. If 6λs-1
and 4 λs-1 are the decay constants of λ1 and λ2 respectively. The ratio of
number of nuclei undecayed of λ1 and λ2 will be 1/e after a time
① 1 ② 1 ③ 1 ④ 1
𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑐
2𝜆 10𝜆 5𝜆 𝜆
Ans : ①
𝑁𝜆 1 = 𝑁𝜆 2 , 𝜆𝜆 1 = 6𝜆, 𝜆𝜆 2 = 4𝜆
𝑁𝜆 1 1 𝑁0 𝑒 −6𝜆𝑡 1
= 𝑜𝑟 = 𝑜𝑟, 𝑒 −2𝜆𝑡 = 𝑒 −1
𝑁𝜆 2 𝑒 𝑁0 𝑒 −4𝜆𝑡 𝑒
1
𝑜𝑟, 2𝜆𝑡 = 1 𝑜𝑟, 𝑡 = 𝑎𝑛𝑠.
2𝜆

4. From a nearly formed radioactive substance (half- life 2 hours) the intensity
of radiation is 64 times the permissible safe level. The minimum time after
which work can be done safely from this source.
① 6 𝑕𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 ② 12 𝑕𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
③ 24 𝑕𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 ④ 128 𝑕𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠
Ans : ②
𝑁0 𝑁 1 1 1 𝑡 𝑡
𝑁= , = 𝑛 𝑜𝑟, = 𝑛 ∴ 𝑛 = 6, 𝑛 = =
64 𝑁0 2 64 2 𝑇1 2
2
𝑡 = 12 𝑕
5. The fraction of atoms of radioactive element that decays in 6 days is 7/8 . The
fraction that decays in 10 days will be
① 77 ② 71 ③ 31 ④ 15
80 80 32 16
Ans : ③
7 𝑁0 𝑁 1 1 1
𝑁 = 1 − 𝑁0 = , = 𝑛 𝑜𝑟 = 𝑛 ∴ 𝑛 = 3
8 8 𝑁0 2 8 2
𝑁0 = 1
6
3= ∴ 𝑇1 = 2 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
𝑇1 2
2
10 𝑁′ 1 1
𝑛′ = =5 = 5=
2 𝑁0 2 32
1 31
∴ 𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑦𝑠 = 1 − =
32 32
 Page-24

6. Half –life of a radioactive substance is 20 min. The time between 20% and
80% decay will be
① 20 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 ② 40 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 ③ 30 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 ④ 25 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠
Ans : ②
2.3𝑇1 𝑇1 log 4
2.3 𝑁1 2 80
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = log = log = 2
𝜆 𝑁2 2.303 log 2 20 log 2
2 log 2 0.693 2.3 log 2
𝑡2 − 𝑡1 = 20 × = 40 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝜆= =
log 2 𝑇1 𝑇1
2 2
7. An isotope of potassium 40 19𝐾 has a half life of 1.4 × 10 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 and decays to
9
40
Argon 18 𝐴𝑟 which is stable. A sample of rock taken from the moon contains
both potassium and argon in ratio 1/7. Age of the rock is
① 2.8 × 109 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ② 3.5 × 109 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ③ 4.2 × 109 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟 ④ 8.2 × 1010 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
Ans : ③
𝑇1 = 1.4 × 108 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
2
∴ 𝑁𝐾 = 1, 𝑁𝐴𝑟 = 7
∴ 𝑁𝑂𝐾 = 1 + 7 = 8
𝑁 1 1 1
= = 3= 𝑛
𝑁𝑜𝐾 8 2 2
𝑡
∴𝑛=3= ∴ 𝑡 = 3 × 1.4 × 109 = 4.2 × 109 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
𝑇1
2
8. The rate of radioactive disintegration at an instant for a radioactive sample of
half life 2.2 × 109 𝑠 is 1010 𝑠 −1 . The number of radioactive atoms in the sample
at that instant is,
① 3.17 × 1020 ② 3.17 × 1017 ③ 3.17 × 1018 ④ 3.17 × 1019
(Odisha NEET 2019)
Ans:④
9. For a radioactive material, half-life is 10 minutes. If initially there are 600
number of nuclei, the time taken (in minutes) for the disintegration of 450
nuclei is
① 20 ② 10 ③ 30 ④ 15
(NEET 2018)
Ans:①
10. Radioactive material ‘A’ has decay constant ‘8λ’ and material ‘B’ has decay
constant ‘λ’. Initially they have same number of nuclei. After what time, the
1
ratio of number of nuclei of material ‘B’ to that ‘A’ will be 𝑒 ?
① 1 ② 1 ③ 1 ④ 1
7𝜆 8𝜆 9𝜆 𝜆
(NEET 2017)
Ans:(None)
11. The half-life of a radioactive substance is 30 minutes. The time (in minutes)
taken between 40% decay and 85% decay of the same radioactive substance
is
① 15 ② 30 ③ 45 ④ 60
(NEET-II 2016)
Ans:④
 Page-25

12. A radioisotope X with a half life 1.4 × 109 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 decays to Y which is stable. A
sample of the rock from a cave was found to contain X and Y in the ratio 1 : 7 .
The age of the rock is
① 1.96 × 109 ② 3.92 × 109 ③ 4.20 × 109 ④ 8.40 × 109
years years years years
(2014)
Ans: ③

13. The half life of a radioactive isotope ‘X’ is 20 years. It decays to another
element ‘Y’ which is stable. The two elements ‘X’ and ‘Y’ were found to be in
the ratio 1 : 7 in a sample of a given rock. The age of the rock is estimated to
be
① 80 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ② 100 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ③ 40 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ④ 60 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
(NEET 2013)
Ans:④
14. A mixture consists of two radioactive materials A1 and A2 with half lives of 20
s and 10 s respectively. Initially the mixture has 40 g of A1 and 160 g of A2.
The amount of the two in the mixture will become equal after

① 60 𝑠 ② 80 𝑠 ③ 20 𝑠 ④ 40 𝑠
(2012)
Ans: ④
15. The half life of radioactive nucleus is 50 days. The time interval (t 2 – t1)
between the time t2 when 2/3 of it has decayed and the time t1 when 1/3 of it
had decayed is
① 30 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 ② 50 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 ③ 60 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 ④ 15 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
(Mains 2012)
Ans:②
16. The half life of radioactive isotope X is 50 years. It decays to another element
Y which is stable. The two elements X and Y were found to be in the ratio of
1 :15 in a sample of a given rock. The age of the rock was estimated to be
① 150 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ② 200 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ③ 250 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ④ 100 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
(2011)
Ans: ②
17. Two radioactive nuclei P and Q, in a given sample decay into a stable nucleus
R. At time t =0, number of P species are 4 𝑁0 and that of Q and 𝑁0 . Half-life of
P(for conservation to R) is 1 minute where as that of Q is 2 minutes. Initially
there are no nuclei of R present in the sample. When number of nuclei of P
and Q are equal, the number of nuclei of R present in the sample would be

① 2𝑁0 ② 3𝑁0 ③ 9𝑁0 ④ 5𝑁0

2 2
(Mains 2011)
Ans: ③
18. The activity of a radioactive sample is measured as 𝑁0 counts per minutes at
𝑡 = 0 and N0/e counts per minutes at 𝑡 = 5 minutes. The time (in minutes) at
which the activity reduces to half its value is
 Page-26

① 2 ② 5 ③ 5 log10 2 ④ 5 log 𝑒 2
log 𝑒
5 log 𝑒 2 (2010)
Ans: ④
19. The decay constant of a radio isotope is λ. If A1 and A2 are its activities at
times t1 and t2 respectively, the number of nuclei which have decayed during
the time 𝑡1 − 𝑡2

① 𝐴1 𝑡1 − 𝐴2 𝑡2 ② 𝐴1 − 𝐴2 ③ 𝐴1 − 𝐴2 ④ 𝜆 𝐴1 − 𝐴2
𝜆 (Mains 2010)
Ans: ③
20. Two radioactive materials X1 and X2 have decay constants 5λ and λ
respectively. If initially they have the same number of nuclei, then the ratio of
the number of nuclei of X1 to that X2 will be 1/e after a time

① 1 ② 𝑒 ③ 𝜆 ④ 1
𝜆 𝜆
4𝜆 2
(2008)
Ans: ①
21. Two radioactive substances A and B have decay constants 5λ and λ
respectively. At 𝑡 = 0 they have the same number of nuclei. The ratio of
number of nuclei of A to those of B will be (1/e)2 after a time interval.
① 4𝜆 ② 2𝜆 ③ 1 ④ 1
2𝜆 4𝜆
Ans: ③
22. In a radioactive material the activity at time 𝑡1 is 𝑅1 and at a later time 𝑡2 , it is
𝑅2 . If the decay constant of the material is 𝜆, then
① 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 ② 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 𝑒 −𝜆 𝑡 1 −𝑡2 ③ 𝑅1 = 𝑅2 𝑒 𝜆 𝑡 1 −𝑡2 ④ 𝑡2
𝑅1 = 𝑅2
𝑡1
(2006)
Ans: ②
23. If in a nuclear fusion process the massed of the fusing nuclei be 𝑚1 and 𝑚2
and the mass of the resultant nucleus be 𝑚3 . Then
① 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 + 𝑚2 ② 𝑚3 = 𝑚1 − 𝑚2 ③ 𝑚3 < (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 ) ④ 𝑚3 > (𝑚1 + 𝑚2 )
(2006)
Ans: ③
24. The half life of radium is about 1600 years. If 100 g of radium existing now, 25
g will remain unchanged after
① 4800 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ② 6400 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ③ 2400 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 ④ 3200 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
(2004)
Ans: ④
25. A sample of radioactive element has a mass of 10 g at an instant t= 0. The
approximate mass of this element in the sample after two mean lives is

① 1.35 𝑔 ② 2.50 𝑔 ③ 3.70 𝑔 ④ 6.30 𝑔

(2003)
Ans: ①
26. A sample of radioactive element containing 4 × 1016 active nuclei. Half life of
element is 10 days. Then number of decayed nuclei after 30 days
 Page-27

① 0.5 × 1016 ② 2 × 1016 ③ 3.5 × 1016 ④ 1 × 1016

(2002)
Ans:③
27. Half life of a radioactive element is 12.5 hours and its quantity is 256 g. After
how much time its quantity will remain 1 g?

① 50 𝑕𝑟𝑠 ② 100 𝑕𝑟𝑠 ③ 150 𝑕𝑟𝑠 ④ 200 𝑕𝑟𝑠

(2001)
Ans:②
28. The relation between 𝜆 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇1 as (𝑇1 → 𝑕𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒)
2 2
① ln 2 ② 𝑇1 ln 2 = 𝜆 ③ 1 ④ 𝜆 + 𝑇1 = ln 2
𝑇1 = 2 𝑇1 = 2
2 𝜆 2 𝜆
(2000)
Ans:①
29. Half-lives of two radioactive substances A and B are respectively 20 minutes
and 40 minutes. Initially the samples of A and B have equal number of nuclei.
After 80 minutes the ratio of remaining numbers of A and B nuclei is

① 1: 4 ② 4: 1 ③ 1: 16 ④ 1: 1
(1998)
Ans:①
30. The count rate of a Geiger Muller counter for the radiation of a radioactive
material of half-life of 30 minutes decreases to 5 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑−1 after 2 hours. The
initial count rate was
① 80 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑−1 ② 625 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑−1 ③ 20 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑−1 ④ 25 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑−1
(1995)
Ans:①
31. The half life of radium is 1600 years. The fraction of a sample of radium that
would remain after 6400 years
① 1 ② 1 ③ 1 ④ 1
4 2 8 16
(1991)
Ans:④
32. A radioactive element has half life period 800 years. After 6400 years what
amount will remain?
① 1 ② 1 ③ 1 ④ 1
2 16 8 256
(1989)
Ans:④
33. A radioactive sample with a half life of 1 month has the label: ‘Activity= 2
micro curies on 1 – 8- 1991’. What would be its activity two months earlier?
① 1.0 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒 ② 0.5 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒 ③ 4 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒 ④ 8 𝑚𝑖𝑐𝑟𝑜 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑒
(1988)
Ans:④