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PHYSICS
TARGET IIT JEE 2010
XII (ALL)

NUCLEAR PHYSICS

CONTENTS
KEY CONCEPT ............................................................. Page –2
EXERCISE–I .................................................................. Page –4
EXERCISE–II ................................................................ Page –4
EXERCISE–III ............................................................... Page –5

OBJECTIVE QUESTION BANK.................................. Page –10

ANSWER KEY ............................................................... Page –16

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KEY CONCEPTS

1. NUCLEAR DIMENSIONS :
R = Ro A1/3 Where Ro = is an empirical constant = 1.1 × 1015 m ; A = Mass number of
the atom

2. RADIOACTIVITY :
The phenomenon of self emission of radiation is called radioactivity and the substances which emit these
radiations are called radioactive substances . It can be natural or artificial (induced) .
3. ,  ,  RADIATION :
(i)   particle :
(a) Helium nucleus (2He4) ; (b) energy varies from 4 Mev to 9 Mev ;
(c) Velocity 106  107 m/s ; (d) low penetration
(ii)  particle : (a) electron or positron
(b) Have much less energy ; (c) more penetration ; (d) higher velocities than particles
(iii)  radiation : Electromagnetic waves of very high energy and maximum penetration.

4. LAWS OF RADIOACTIVE DISINTEGRATION :

(A) DISPLACEMENT LAW : In all radioactive transformation either an or particle(never both or more
than one of each simultaneously) is emitted by the nucleus of the atom.
 emission : zXA  A  4 + 4 + Energy
(i) z  2Y 2
(ii)  emission : zXA  + z + 1Y +  (antinuetrino)
A

(iii)  emission : emission does not affect either the charge number or
the mass number .
(B) STASTISTICAL LAW : The disintegration is a random phenomenon . Which atom disintegrates first is
purely a matter of chance .
Number of nuclei disintegrating per second is given ;
(disintegrations /gm is called specific activity) .
dN dN
(i) N   N = activity .
dt dt
Where N = Number of nuclei present at time t ;  = decay constant
(ii) N = No e t ; N0 = number of nuclei present in the beginning .
0.693
(iii) Half life of the population T1/2 = ;

No
at the end of n halflife periods the number of nuclei left N = .
2n
life time of all atoms 1
(iv) MEAN LIFE OF AN ATOM = ; Tav =
total number of atoms 
(v) CURIE : The unit of activity of any radioactive substance in which the number of disintegration
per second is 3.7 ×1010 .

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5. ATOMIC MASS UNIT ( a.m.u. OR U) :

1
1 amu = × (mass of carbon  12 atom) = 1.6603 × 1027 kg
12
6. MASS AND ENERGY :
The mass m of a particle is equivalent to an energy given by E = mc2 ;
c = speed of light . 1 amu = 931 Mev

7. MASS DEFECT AND BINDING ENERGY OF A NUCLEUS :

The nucleus is less massive than its constituents . The difference of masses is called mass defect .
M = mass defect = [ Zmp + (A  Z) mn]  MzA .
Total energy required to be given to the nucleus to tear apart the individual nucleons co m p o s i ng
the nucleus , away from each other and beyond the range of interaction forces is called the Binding
Energy of a nucleus .
B.E. = (M)C2 .

B.E. per nucleon =

  M C 2.
A
Greater the B.E. per nucleon, greater is the stability of the nucleus .
8. NUCLEAR FISSION :
(i) Heavy nuclei of A , above 200 , break up into two or more fragments of comparable masses.
(ii) The total B.E. increases and excess energy is released .
(iii) The man point of the fission energy is liberated in the form of the K.E. of the fission fragments
235 1 236 141 92 1
. eg. 92 U  o n  92 U 56 Ba  36 Kr 3 o n + energy

9. NUCLEAR FUSION ( Thermo nuclear reaction) :

(i) Light nuclei of A below 20 , fuse together , the B.E. per nucleon increases and hence the excess energy
is released .
(ii) These reactions take place at ultra high temperature (  107K to 109K)
(iii) Energy released exceeds the energy liberated in the fission of heavy nuclei .
eg . 411 P  42 He  2 01e . (Positron)
(iv) The energy released in fusion is specified by specifying Q value .
i.e. Q value of reaction = energy released in a reaction .
Note : (i) In emission of  , Atomic number (Z) increases by 1 .
(ii) In emission of + , Atomic number (Z) decreases by 1 .

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EXERCISE # I
Q.1 The binding energies per nucleon for deuteron (1H2) and helium (2He4) are 1.1 MeV and 7.0 MeV
respectively. The energy released when two deuterons fuse to form a helium nucleus (2He4) is ________.

Q.2 A radioactive decay counter is switched on at t = 0. A - active sample is present near the counter. The
counter registers the number of  - particles emitted by the sample. The counter registers 1 × 105
 - particles at t = 36 s and 1.11 × 105  - particles at t = 108 s. Find T½ of this sample

40 40
Q.3 An isotopes of Potassium 19 K has a half life 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

Q.4 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.

Q.5 Suppose that the Sun consists entirely of hydrogen atom and releases the energy by the nuclear reaction,
4 11H  42 He with 26 MeV of energy released. If the total output power of the Sun is assumed to
remain constant at 3.9 × 1026 W, find the time it will take to burn all the hydrogen. Take the mass of the
Sun as 1.7 × 1030 kg.

Q.6 The positron is a fundamental particle with the same mass as that of the electron and with a charge equal
to that of an electron but of opposite sign. When a positron and an electron collide, they may annihilate
each other. The energy corresponding to their mass appears in two photons of equal energy. Find the
wavelength of the radiation emitted.
[Take : mass of electron = (0.5/C2)MeV and hC = 1.2×10–12 MeV.m where h is the Plank's constant
and C is the velocity of light in air]

Q.7 When two deutrons (1H2) fuse to from a helium nucleus 2He4, 23.6 MeV energy is released. Find the
binding energy of helium if it is 1.1 MeV for each nucleon of deutrim.

Q.8 A + meson of negligible initial velocity decays to a + (muon) and a neutrino. With what kinetic energy
(in eV) does the muon move? (The rest mass of neutrino can be considered zero. The rest mass of the +
meson is 150 MeV and the rest mass of the muon is 100 MeV.) Take neutrino to behave like a photon.
Take 2 = 1.41.

EXERCISE # II
Q.1 U238 and U235 occur in nature in an atomic ratio 140 : 1. Assuming that at the time of earth’s formation
the two isotopes were present in equal amounts. Calculate the age of the earth.
(Half life of u238 = 4.5 × 109 yrs & that of U235 = 7.13 × 108 yrs)

Q.2 The kinetic energy of an   particle which flies out of the nucleus of a Ra226 atom in radioactive
disintegration is 4.78 MeV. Find the total energy evolved during the escape of the  particle.

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Q.3 A small bottle contains powdered beryllium Be & gaseous radon which is used as a source of
particles. Neutrons are produced when particles of the radon react with beryllium. The yield of
this reaction is (1/ 4000) i.e. only one particle out of 4000 induces the reaction. Find the amount
of radon (Rn222) originally introduced into the source, if it produces 1.2 × 106 neutrons per second
after 7.6 days. [T1/2 of Rn = 3.8 days]

Q.4 An experiment is done to determine the half  life of radioactive substance that emits one particle
for each decay process. Measurement show that an average of 8.4 are emitted each second by
2.5 mg of the substance. The atomic weight of the substance is 230. Find the half life of the substance.

Q.5 A wooden piece of great antiquity weighs 50 gm and shows C14 activity of 320 disintegrations per minute.
Estimate the length of the time which has elapsed since this wood was part of living tree, assuming that living
plants show a C14 activity of 12 disintegrations per minute per gm. The half life of C14 is 5730 yrs.

Q.6 Show that in a nuclear reaction where the outgoing particle is scattered at an angle of 90° with the
direction of the bombarding particle, the Q-value is expressed as
 mP   m 
Q = KP 1   – K 1  I 
 MO  I
 MO 
Where, I = incoming particle, P = product nucleus, T = target nucleus, O = outgoing particle.

Q.7 A body of mass m0 is placed on a smooth horizontal surface. The mass of the body is decreasing
exponentially with disintegration constant . Assuming that the mass is ejected backward with a relative
velocity u. Initially the body was at rest. Find the velocity of body after time t.

Q.8 A radionuclide with disintegration constant  is produced in a reactor at a constant rate  nuclei per sec.
During each decay energy E0 is released. 20% of this energy is utilised in increasing the temperature of
water. Find the increase in temperature of m mass of water in time t. Specific heat of water is S. Assume
that there is no loss of energy through water surface.

Q.9 The element Curium 248 13

96 Cm has a mean life of 10 seconds. Its primary decay modes are spontaneous
fission and decay, the former with a probability of 8% and the latter with a probability of 92%. Each
fission releases 200 MeV of energy . The masses involved in  decay are as follows :
248 244 4
96 Cm  248 .072220 u , 94 Pu  244 .064100 u & 2 He  4 .002603 u .
Calculate the power output from a sample of 1020 Cm atoms. (l u = 931 MeV/c2)

EXERCISE # III
Q.1(a) Binding energy per nucleon vs. mass number curve for
nuclei is shown in the figure. W, X, Y and Z are four
nuclei indicated on the curve. The process that would
release energy is
(A) Y  2Z (B) W  X + Z
(C) W  2Y (D) X  Y + Z

(b) Order of magnitude of density of Uranium nucleus is, [mP = 1.67 × 1027 kg]
(A) 1020 kg/m3 (B) 1017kg/m3 (C) 1014kg/m3 (D) 1011kg/m3
(c) 22Ne nucleus, after absorbing energy, decays into two particles and an unknown nucleus. The unknown

nucleus is
(A) nitrogen (B) carbon (C) boron (D) oxygen

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(d) Which of the following is a correct statement?

(A) Beta rays are same as cathode rays
(B) Gamma rays are high energy neutrons.
(C) Alpha particles are singly ionized helium atoms
(D) Protons and neutrons have exactly the same mass
(E) None
(e) The halflife period of a radioactive element X is same as the meanlife time of another radioactive
element Y. Initially both of them have the same number of atoms. Then
(A) X & Y have the same decay rate initially (B) X & Y decay at the same rate always
(C) Y will decay at a faster rate than X (D) X will decay at a faster rate than Y [JEE '99]

Q.2 Two radioactive materials X1 and X2 have decay constants 10 and  respectively. If initially they have the
same number of nuclei, then the ratio of the number of nuclei of X1 to that of X2 will be 1/e after a time
(A) 1/(10) (B) 1/(11) (C) 11/(10) (D) 1/(9)
[JEE ' 2000 (Scr)]

Q.3 The electron emitted in beta radiation originates from [JEE’2001(Scr)]

(A) inner orbits of atoms (B) free electrons existing in nuclei
(C) decay of a neutron in a nucleus (D) photon escaping from the nucleus

Q.4 The half - life of 215At is 100 s. The time taken for the radioactivity of a sample of 215At to decay to
1/16th of its initial value is [JEE 2002 (Scr)]
(A) 400 s (B) 6.3 s (C) 40 s (D) 300 s

Q.5 Which of the following processes represents a gamma - decay? [JEE 2002 (Scr)]
(A) XZ +  XZ – 1 + a + b
A A (B) XZ + n0
A 1 A– 3 XZ –2 + c
(C) AXZ  AXZ + f (D) AXZ + e–1 AXZ – 1 + g

Q.6 The volume and mass of a nucleus are related as [JEE 2003 (Scr)]
(A) v  m (B) v  1/m (C) v  m2 (D) v  1/m2

Q.7 The nucleus of element X (A = 220) undergoes -decay. If Q-value of the reaction is 5.5 MeV, then the
kinetic energy of -particle is : [JEE 2003 (Scr)]
(A) 5.4 MeV (B) 10.8 MeV (C) 2.7 MeV (D) None

Q.8 A radioactive sample emits n -particles in 2 sec. In next 2 sec it emits 0.75 n -particles, what is the
mean life of the sample? [JEE 2003]

Q.9 A 280 days old radioactive substance shows an activity of 6000 dps, 140 days later it’s activity becomes
3000dps. What was its initial activity. [JEE 2004 (Scr)]
(A) 20000 dps (B) 24000 dps
(C) 12000 dps (D) 6000 dps

Q.10 The age of a rock containing lead and uranium is equal to 1.5 × 109 yrs. The uranium is decaying into
lead with half life equal to 4.5 × 109 yrs. Find the ratio of lead to uranium present in the rock, assuming
initially no lead was present in the rock. (Given 21/3 = 1.259). [JEE 2004]

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Q.11 Helium nuclie combines to form an oxygen nucleus. The binding energy per nucleon of oxygen nucleus is
if m0 = 15.834 amu and mHe = 4.0026 amu [JEE' 2005 (Scr)]
(A) 10.24 MeV (B) 0 MeV (C) 5.24 MeV (D) 4 MeV

Q.12 The potential energy of a particle of mass m is given by

0  x 1 
V( x )   0
E
x 1 
0 
1 and 2 are the de-Broglie wavelengths of the particle, when 0  x  1 and x > 1 respectively. If the
total energy of particle is 2E0, find 1/2. [JEE 2005]

Q.13 Highly energetic electrons are bombarded on a target of an element containing 30 neutrons. The ratio of
radii of nucleus to that of helium nucleus is (14)1/3. Find
(a) atomic number of the nucleus
(b) the frequency of K line of the X-ray produced. (R = 1.1× 107 m–1 and c = 3 × 108 m/s)
[JEE 2005]

Q.14 Given a sample of Radium-226 having half-life of 4 days. Find the probability, a nucleus disintegrates
within 2 half lives. [JEE 2006]
(A) 1 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 1/4

Q.15 Match the following Columns [JEE 2006]

Column 1 Column 2
(A) Nuclear fusion (P) Converts some matter into energy
(B) Nuclear fission (Q) Generally occurs for nuclei with low atomic number
(C) –decay (R) Generally occurs for nuclei with higher atomic number
(D) Exothermic nuclear reaction (S) Essentially proceeds by weak nuclear forces

Q.16 In the options given below, let E denote the rest mass energy of a nucleus and n a neutron. The correct
option is [JEE 2007]
(A) E  236
92 U
 > E  I + E  Y  + 2E(n)
137
53
97
39
(B) E  236
92 U
 < E  I + E  Y  + 2E(n)
137
53
97
39

(C) E  U  < E  Ba  + E  Kr  + 2E(n) (D) E  U  = E  Ba  + E  Kr  + 2E(n)

236 140 94 236 140 94
92 56 36 92 56 36

Q.17 Some laws/processes are given in Column I. Match these with the physical phenomena given in
Column II and indicate your answer by darkening appropriate bubbles in the 4 × 4 matrix given in the
ORS. [JEE 2007]
Column I Column II
(A) Transition between two atomic energy (P) Characteristic X-rays
levels
(B) Electron emission from a material (Q) Photoelectric effect
(C) Mosley’s law (R)Hydrogen spectrum
(D) Change of photon energy into kinetic (S) -decay
energy of electrons

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Q.18 Assume that the nuclear binding energy per nucleon (B/A) versus mass number (A) is as shown in the
figure. Use this plot to choose the correct choice(s) given below : [JEE 2008]
Figure :

B/A

8–

6–

4–

2–

0–

–
100 200 A

(A) Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying in the range of 1 < A < 50 will release energy
(B) Fusion of two nuclei with mass numbers lying in the range of 51 < A < 100 will release energy
(C) Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 100 < A < 200 will release energy when broken into
two equal fragments
(D) Fission of a nucleus lying in the mass range of 200 < A < 260 will release energy when broken into
two equal fragments

Q.19 A radioactive sample S1 having an activity of 5µCi has twice the number of nuclei as another sample S2
which has an activity of 10µCi. The half lives of S1 and S2 can be : [JEE 2008]
(A) 20 years and 5 years, respectively (B) 20 years and 10 years, respectively
(C) 10 years each (D) 5 years each

Paragraph for Question Nos. 20 to 22

Scientists are working hard to develop nuclear fusion reactor. Nuclei of heavy hydrogen, 12 H , known as
deuteron and denoted by D, can be thought of as a candidate for fusion reactor. The D-D reaction is
2
1H 12 H 32 He  n  energy . In the core of fusion reactor, a gas of heavy hydrogen is fully ionized
into deuteron nuclei and electrons. This collection of 12 H nuclei and electrons is known as plasma. The
nuclei move randomly in the reactor core and occasionally come close enough for nuclear fusion to take
place. Usually, the temperatures in the reactor core are too high and no material wall can be used to
confine the plasma. Special techniques are used which confine the plasma for a time t0 before the particles
fly away from the core. If n is the density (number/volume) of deuterons, the product nt0 is called
Lawson number. In one of the criteria, a reactor is termed successful if Lawson number is greater than
5 × 1014 s/cm3.
It may be helpful to use the following :
e2
Boltzmann constant k = 8.6 × 10–5 eV/K ; = 1.44 × 10–9 eVm.
4 0

Q.20 In the core of nuclear fusion reactor, the gas becomes plasma because of [JEE-2009]
(A) strong nuclear force acting between the deuterons
(B) Coulomb force acting between the deuterons
(C) Coulomb force acting between deuteron-electron pairs
(D) the high temperature maintained inside the reactor core

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Q.21 Assume that two deuteron nuclei in the core of fusion reactor at temperature T are moving towards each
other, each with kinetic energy 1.5 kT, when the separation between them is large enough to neglect
Coulomb potential energy. Also neglect any interaction from other particles in the core. The minimum
temperature T required for them to reach a separation of 4 × 10–15 m is in the range [JEE-2009]
9
(A) 1.0 × 10 K < T < 2.0 × 10 K 9 9
(B) 2.0 × 10 K < T < 3.0 × 10 K 9

(C) 3.0 × 109 K < T < 4.0 × 109 K (D) 4.0 × 109 K < T < 5.0 × 109 K

Q.22 Results of calculations for four different designs of a fusion reactor using D-D reaction are given below.
Which of these is most promising based on Lawson criterion? [JEE-2009]
12 –3
(A) deuteron density = 2.0 ×10 cm , confinement time = 5.0 × 10 s –3

(B) deuteron density = 8.0 × 1014 cm–3 , confinement time = 9.0 ×10–1 s
(C) deuteron density = 4.0 × 1023 cm–3, confinement time = 1.0 × 10–11 s
(D) deuteron density = 1.0 ×1024 cm–3 , confinement time = 4.0 x 10–12 s

Q.23 Column II gives certain systems undergoing a process. Column I suggests changes in some of the
parameters related to the system. Match the statements in Column I to the appropriate process(es)
from Column II. [JEE-2009]
Column-I Column-II
(A) The energy of the system is (p) System : A capacitor, initially uncharged
increased Process : It is connected to a battery
(B) Mechanical energy is provided (q) System : A gas in an adiabatic
to the system, which is converted container fitted with an
into energy of random motion of adiabatic piston
its parts Process : The gas is compressed
by pushing the piston
(C) Internal energy of the system is (r) System : A gas in a rigid container
converted into its mechanical Process : The gas gets cooled due to
energy colder atmosphere
surrounding it
(D) Mass of the system is decreased (s) System : A heavy nucleus, initially at rest
Process : The nucleus fissions into two
fragments of nearly equal
masses and some neutrons are
emitted.
(t) System : A resistive wire loop.
Process : The loop is placed in a time
varying magnetic field
perpendicular to its plane.

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OBJECTIVE QUESTION BANK

ONLY ONE OPTION IS CORRECT
Q.1 Let u be denote one atomic mass unit. One atom of an element of mass number A has mass exactly equal
to Au
(A) for any value of A (B) only for A = 1
(C) only for A = 12 (D) for any value of A provided the atom is stable

Q.2 The surface area of a nucleus varies with mass number A as

(A) A2/3 (B) A1/3 (C) A (D) None

Q.3 Consider the nuclear reaction

X200  A110 + B90
If the binding energy per nucleon for X, A and B is 7.4 MeV, 8.2. MeV and 8.2 MeV respectively, what
is the energy released ?
(A) 200 MeV (B) 160 MeV (C) 110 MeV (D) 90 MeV

Q.4 The binding energy per nucleon for C12 is 7.68 MeV and that for C13 is 7.5 MeV. The energy required
to remove a neutron from C13 is
(A) 5.34 MeV (B) 5.5 MeV (C) 9.5 MeV (D) 9.34 MeV

Q.5 The binding energies of nuclei X and Y are E1 and E2 respectively. Two atoms of X fuse to give one atom
of Y and an energy Q is released. Then:
(A) Q = 2E1–E2 (B) Q = E2–2E1 (C) Q = 2E1 + E2 (D) Q = 2E2 + E1

Q.6 If each fission in a U235 nucleus releases 200 MeV, how many fissions must occurs per second to
produce a power of 1 KW
(A) 1.325 × 1013 (B) 3.125 × 1013 (C) 1.235 × 1013 (D) 2.135 × 1013

Q.7 The binding energies of the atom of elements A & B are Ea & Eb respectively. Three atoms of the element
B fuse to give one atom of element A. This fusion process is accompained by release of energy e . Then
Ea, Eb are related to each other as
(A) Ea+ e = 3Eb (B) Ea = 3Eb (C) Ea - e = 3Eb (D) Ea + 3Eb + e = 0

Q.8 The binding energies of the nuclei of 24 He, 73 Li, 12 C

6 & 14 N
7 are 28, 52, 90, 98 Mev respectively..
Which of these is most stable .
(A) 4 7 Li 12 C 14 N
2 He (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 7

Q.9 The following nuclear reaction is an example of 12 4 16

6 C  2 H  8 O + energy
(A) fission (B) fusion (C) alpha decay (D) beta decay

Q.10 Fast neutrons may most easily be slowed down by which one of the following methods?
(A) passing them through a substance rich in hydrogen
(B) allowing them to collide elastically with heavy nuclei
(C) using lead shielding
(D) passing them through an increasing potential gradient space

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Q.11 The rest mass of the deuteron , 12 H , is equivalent to an energy of 1876 MeV, the rest mass of a proton
is equivalent to 939 MeV and that of a neutron to 940 MeV. A deuteron may disintegrate to a proton
and a neutron if it :
(A) emits a - ray photon of energy 2 MeV (B) captures a - ray photon of energy 2 MeV
(C) emits a - ray photon of energy 3 MeV (D) captures a - ray photon of energy 3 MeV

Q.12 A certain radioactive nuclide of mass number mx disintegrates, with the emission of an electron and 
radiation only, to give second nuclied of mass number my. Which one of the following equation correctly
relates mx and my?
(A) my = mx + 1 (B) my = mx – 2 (C) my = mx – 1 (D) my = mx

Q.13 The number of  and emitted during the radioactive decay chain starting from 88
226
Ra and ending at
206
82 Pb is
(A) 3 & 6 (B) 4 & 5 (C) 5 & 4 (D) 6 & 6

Q.14 In an -decay the Kinetic energy of  particle is 48 MeV and Q-value of the reaction is 50 MeV. The
mass number of the mother nucleus is: (Assume that daughter nucleus is in ground state)
(A) 96 (B) 100 (C) 104 (D) none of these

Q.15 In the uranium radioactive series the initial nucleus is 92U238, and the final nucleus is 82Pb206. When the
uranium nucleus decays to lead, the number of  – particles emitted is.. and the number of -particles
emitted...
(A) 6, 8 (B) 8, 6 (C) 16, 6 (D) 32, 12

Q.16 The radioactive sources A and B of half lives of 2 hr and 4 hr respectively, initially contain the same
number of radioactive atoms. At the end of 2 hours, their rates of disintegration are in the ratio :
(A) 4 : 1 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 2:1 (D) 1 : 1

Q.17 In a radioactive element the fraction of intial amount remaining after its mean life time is
1 1 1 1
(A) 1 – (B) (C) (D) 1–
e e2 e e2

Q.18 Two radioactive material A1 and A2 have decay constants of 10 0 and 0. If initially they have same
number of nuclei, the ratio of number of their undecayed nuclei will be (1/e) after a time
1 1 1
(A)  (B) 9 (C) 10 (D) 1
0 0 0

Q.19 90% of a radioactive sample is left undecayed after time t has elapsed. What percentage of the initialsample
will decay in a total time 2t:
(A) 20% (B) 19% (C) 40% (D) 38%

Q.20 A radioactive material of half-life T was produced in a nuclear reactor at different instants, the quantity
produced second time was twice of that produced first time. If now their present activities are A1 and A2
respectively then their age difference equals:

T A1 A1 T A2 A2
(A) ln 2 ln A (B) T ln A (C) ln 2 ln 2A (D) T ln 2A
2 2 1 1

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R2
Q.21 Activity of a radioactive substance is R1 at time t1 and R2 at time t2(t2 > t1). Then the ratio R is:
1

t2  t1  t 2 
(A) t (B) e   ( t1  t 2 ) (C) e   (D) e  ( t1  t 2 )
1   

Q.22 There are two radionuclei A and B. A is an alpha emitter and B is a beta emitter. Their distintegration
constants are in the ratio of 1 : 2. 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.
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 1 : 2 (C) e (D) e–1

Q.23 A particular nucleus in a large population of identical radioactive nuclei did survive 5 half lives of that
isotope. Then the probability that this surviving nucleus will survive the next half life :
1 1 1 1 5
(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)
32 5 2 10 2
Q.24 A certain radio active substance has a half life of 5 years. Thus for a particular nucleus in a sample of the
element, the probability of decay in ten years is
(A) 50% (B) 75% (C) 100% (D) 60%

Q.25 The activity of a sample reduces from A0 to A0 / 3 in one hour. The activity after 3 hours more will be
A0 A0 A0 A0
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 3 9 9 3 27

Q.26 Half life of radium is 1620 years. How many radium nuclei decay in 5 hours in 5 gm radium? ( Atomic
weight of radium = 223)
(A) 9.1 × 1012 (B) 3.23 × 1015 (C) 1.72 × 1020 (D) 3.3 × 1017

Q.27 The activity of a sample of radioactive material is A1 at time t1 and A2 at time t2 (t2 >t1). Its mean life is T.
A1  A 2
(A) A1t1 = A2t2 (B) t  t = constant (C) A2 = A1 e ( t1  t 2 )/ T (D) A2 = A1 e ( t1 / Tt 2 )
2 1

Q.28 A fraction f1 of a radioactive sample decays in one mean life, and a fraction f2 decays in one halflife.
(A) f1 > f2
(B) f1 < f2
(C) f1 = f2
(D) May be (A), (B) or (C) depending on the values of the mean life and half life

Q.29 A radioactive substance is being produced at a constant rate of 10 nuclei/s. The decay constant of the
substance is 1/2 sec–1. After what time the number of radioactive nuclei will become 10? Initially there
are no nuclei present. Assume decay law holds for the sample.
1
(A) 2.45 sec (B) log (2) sec (C) 1.386 sec (D) sec
ln (2)

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Q.30 The radioactivity of a sample is R1 at time T1 and R2 at time T2. If the half life of the specimen is T.
Number of atoms that have disintegrated in time (T2 – T1) is proportional to
(A) (R1T1 – R2T2) (B) (R1 – R2) T (C) (R1 – R2)/T (D) (R1 – R2) (T1 – T2)

Q.31 The decay constant of the end product of a radioactive series is

(A) zero (B) infinite (C) finite (non zero) (D) depends on the end product.

Q.32 At time t = 0, N1 nuclei of decay constant 1 & N2 nuclei of decay constant 2 are mixed . The decay
rate of the mixture is :

1   2  t  N     t
(A) N1 N 2 e (B)   1 e 1 2
 N2 


(C)  N11e  1t  N 2  2 e   2 t  (D)  N11 N22 e
1  2  t

Q.33 A radioactive nuclide can decay simultaneously by two different processes which have decay constants
1 and 2. The effective decay constant of the nuclide is , then :
1 1 1
(A)  = 1 + 2 (B)  = 1/2(1 + 1) (C)      (D)  = 1 2
1 2

Q.34 The radioactive nucleus of an element X decays to a stable nucleus of element Y. a graph of the rate of
formation of Y against time would look like

(A) (B) (C) (D) (E)

Q.35 A radioactive substance is dissolved in a liquid and the solution is heated. The activity of the solution
(A) is smaller than that of element
(B) is greater than that of element
(C) is equal to that of element
(D) will be smaller or greater depending upon whether the solution is weak or concentrated.

Q.36 In a certain nuclear reactor, a radioactive nucleus is being produced at a constant rate = 1000 /s. The
mean life of the radionuclide is 40 minutes. At steady state, the number of radionuclide will be
(A) 4 × 104 (B) 24 × 104 (C) 24 × 105 (D) 24 × 106

Q.37 In the above question, if there were 20 × 105 radionuclide at t = 0, then the graph of N v/s t is

(A) (B) (C) (D)

Q.38 The half life of a neutron is 800 sec. 108 neutrons at a certain instant are projected from one space
station towards another space station, situated 3200 km away, with a velocity 2000 m/s. Their velocity
remains constant during the journey. How many neutrons reach the other station?
(A) 50 × 106 (B) 25 × 106 (C) 80 × 105 (D) 25 × 105

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Q.39 A radioactive source in the form of a metal sphere of diameter 3.2 × 10–3 m emits -particle at a
constant rate of 6.25 × 1010 particle/sec. The source is electrically insulated and all the -particle are
emitted from the surface. The potential of the sphere will rise to 1 V in time
(A) 180  sec (B) 90  sec (C) 18  sec (D) 9  sec

ASSERTION AND REASON

Q.40 Half life for certain radioactive element is 5 min. Four nuclei of that element are observed at a certain
instant of time. After five minutes
Statement-1 : It can be definitely said that two nuclei will be left undecayed.
Statement-2 : After half life i.e. 5 minutes, half of total nuclei will disintegrate. So only two nuclei will be
left undecayed.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is fase.
40
Q.41 Statement-1 : It is easy to remove a proton from 20 Ca nucleus as compared to a neutron.
Statement-2 : Inside nucleus neutrons are acted on only by attractive forces but protons are also acted
on by repulsive forces.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.
Q.42 Statement-1 : It is possible for a thermal neutron to be absorbed by a nucleus whereas a proton or
an -particle would need a much larger amount of energy for being absorbed by
the same nucleus.
Statement-2 : Neutron is electrically neutral but proton and -particle are positively charged .
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.

Q.43 Statement-1 : Consider the following nuclear reaction of an unstable 14

6 C
nucleus initially at rest.
The decay 14 6 C
 14 7 N
+ 01 e +  . In a nuclear reaction total energy and momentum
is conserved experiments show that the electrons are emitted with a continuous range of
kinetic energies upto some maximum value.
Statement-1 : Remaining energy is released as thermal energy.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.

ONE OR MORE THAN ONE OPTION MAY BE CORRECT

Q.44 When a nucleus with atomic number Z and mass number A undergoes a radioactive decay process:
(A) both Z and A will decrease, if the process is  decay
(B) Z will decrease but A will not change, if the process is + decay
(C) Z will decrease but A will not change, if the process is – decay
(D) Z and A will remain unchanged, if the process is  decay.

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Q.45 When the atomic number A of the nucleus increases

(A) initially the neutronproton ratio is constant = 1
(B) initially neutronproton ratio increases and later decreases
(C) initially binding energy per nucleon increases and later decreases
(D) the binding energy per nucleon increases when the neutronproton ratio increases.
20
Q.46 Let mp be the mass of a proton, mn the mass of a neutron, M1 the mas of a 10 Ne nucleus and M2 the
40
mass of a 20 Ca nucleus. Then
(A) M2 = 2M1 (B) M2 > 2M1 (C) M2 < 2M1 (D) M1 < 10(mn + mp)
Q.47 The decay constant of a radio active substance is 0.173 (years)–1. Therefore :
(A) Nearly 63% of the radioactive substance will decay in (1/0.173) year.
(B) half life of the radio active substance is (1/0.173) year.
(C) one -forth of the radioactive substance will be left after nearly 8 years.
(D) all the above statements are true.
Q.48 The graph shown by the side shows the variation of potential energy 
of a proton with its distance ‘r’ from a fixed sodium nucleus, as it
approaches the nucleus, placed at origin O. Then the portion.
(A) AB indicates nuclear repulsion
(B) AB indicates electrostatic repulsion
(C) BC indicates nuclear attraction (D) BC represents electrostatic interaction
Q.49 A nitrogen nucleus 7N14 absorbs a neutron and can transform into lithium nucleus 3Li7 under suitable
conditions, after emitting :
(A) 4 protons and 3 neutrons (B) 5 protons and 1 negative beta particle
(C) 1 alpha particles and 2 gamma particles
(D) 1 alpha particle, 4 protons and 2 negative beta particles
(E) 4 protons and 4 neutrons
Q.50 The instability of the nucleus can be due to various causes. An unsatble nucleus emits radiations if possible
to transform into less unstable state. Then the cause and the result can be
(A) a nucleus of excess nucleons is  active
(B) an excited nucleus of excess protons is – active
(C) an excited nucleus of excess protons is + active
(D) an nucleus of excess neutrons is – active
Q.51 In -decay, the Q-value of the process is E. Then
(A) K.E. of a -particle cannot exceed E. (B) K.E. of anti neutrino emitted lies between Zero and E.
(C) N/Z ratio of the nucleus is altered. (D) Mass number (A) of the nucleus is altered.
Q.52 Consider the following nuclear reactions and select the correct statements from the options that follow.
Reaction I : n  p + e– + v Reaction II : p  n + e+ + v
(A) Free neutron is unstable, therefore reaction I is possible
(B) Free proton is stable, therefore reaction II is not possible
(C) Inside a nucleus, both decays (reaction I and II) are possible
(D) Inside a nucleus, reaction I is not possible but reaction II is possible.

Q.53 When the nucleus of an electrically neutral atom undergoes a radioactive decay process, it will remain
neutral after the decay if the process is :
(A)  decay (B) – decay (C)  decay (D) K-capture

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ANSWER KEY
EXERCISE # I
Q.1 23.6 MeV Q.2 ( T1 / 2 = 10.8 sec)
 ln 5 
Q.3 40
(i) 19 K  18
40
Ar + +1e0 +  (ii) 4.2 × 109 years Q.4 t =    Q.5 8 3  1018 sec
 ln 2 
Q.6 2.48 ×10–12 m Q.7 28 MeV Q.8 9.00 × 106
EXERCISE # II
Q.1 6.04 × 109 yrs Q.2 4.87 MeV Q.3 3.3 × 106g Q.4 1.7 × 1010 years
  
0.2E 0  t  (1  e  t ) 
Q.5 5196 yrs Q.7 v = ut Q.8 T =   
mS
Q.9 33.298 MW
EXERCISE # III
Q.1 (a) C ; (b) B ; (c) B ; (d) E ; (e) C Q.2 D Q.3 C Q.4 A
2
Q.5 C Q.6 A Q.7 A Q.8 1.75n = N0(1 – e–4), 6.95 sec,
4
ln  
3
Q.9 B Q.10 0.259 Q.11 A Q.12 2 Q.13  = 1.546 × 1018 Hz

Q.14 C Q.15 (A) P, Q; (B) P, R; (C) S, P; (D) P, Q, R Q.16 A

Q.17 (A) R, P; (B) Q, S; (C) P; (D) Q Q.18 B, D Q.19 A Q.20 D
Q.21 A Q.22 B Q.23 (A) p,q,t ; (B) q ; (C) s ; (D) s

QUESTION BANK
ONLY ONE OPTION IS CORRECT
Q.1 C Q.2 B Q.3 B Q.4 A Q.5 B Q.6 B Q.7 C
Q.8 C Q.9 B Q.10 A Q.11 D Q.12 D Q.13 C Q.14 B
Q.15 B Q.16 C Q.17 C Q.18 B Q.19 B Q.20 C Q.21 D
Q.22 A Q.23 C Q.24 B Q.25 B Q.26 B Q.27 C Q.28 A
Q.29 C Q.30 B Q.31 A Q.32 C Q.33 A Q.34 E Q.35 C
Q.36 C Q.37 C Q.38 B Q.39 C

ASSERTION AND REASON

Q.40 D Q.41 A Q.42 A Q.43 C

ONE OR MORE THAN ONE OPTION MAY BE CORRECT

Q.44 A, B, D Q.45 A, C Q.46 C, D Q.47 A, C Q.48 B, C Q.49 C, E
Q.50 A , C, D Q.51 A, B, C Q.52 A, B, C Q.53 C, D

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