Solution

CHAPTER 13 NUCLEI QUESTION BANK

Class 12 - Physics
Section A
1. (a) 1
Explanation:
1
2.
(b) independent of A
Explanation:
independent of A

AR
5
3. (a) 3
R

Explanation:
5
R
3

HW
4.
(d) 3 u
Explanation:
3u
PS
5. (a) 1 : 1
Explanation:
ES
DM

Nuclear density is independent of mass number.

T
6.
(d) 200 MeV
UK

Explanation:
Energy released
= B.E. (X) + B.E. (Y)- B.E. (U)
= 8.5 × 117 + 8.5 × 117 - 236 × 7.6
= 994.5 + 994.5 - 1793.6
HM

= 195.4 MeV ≈ 200 MeV

7.
(d) more stable nucleus than its neighbours
R

Explanation:
more stable nucleus than its neighbours
GA

8.
(b) kinetic energy is high enough to overcome the coulomb repulsion between nuclei.
Explanation:
High temperature is needed so that reacting nuclei have enough kinetic energy to overcome the coulomb repulsion between
them.

9.
(d) They are always attractive.
Explanation:
They are always attractive.

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10.
(b) 4.23 MeV
Explanation:
17 16 + 0n1
8O → 8O
∴ energy to remove neutron
= Binding energy of 8O17 - Binding energy of 8O16
= (17 × 7.75) - (16 × 7.79)
= 4.23 MeV.

11.
(d) B.E. = [ZMp + (A − Z)Mn − M(A, Z)]c2
Explanation:
B.E. = sum of the masses of protons and neutrons minus the mass of the nucleus × c2.

AR
12.
(b) 58.3 MW

HW
Explanation:
Mass used in 30 days = 2 kg = 2000 g
Mass used up per second (m)
2000 1
= =
30×24×60×60 36×36
PS
No. of atoms in 235 g of 235
92
U = 6.023 × 10
23

No. of atoms in
=
6.023×10

235×36×36
23
g of 1

36×36

= 1.977 × 10
235
92

18
U

ES
DM

This is the number of nuclei undergoing fission per second. Now energy released per fission = 185 MeV
Total energy released per second
T
= 1.977 × 1018 × 185 MeV
UK

= 1.977 × 1018 × 185 × 1.6 × 10-13 J = 5.85 × 107 J

Power output
= 5.85 × 107 Js-1 = 5.85 × 107 W = 58.5 MW
HM

13.
(d) 6.0 fm
Explanation:
From the above problem
5 5
r(Te) = r(Al) = × 3.6 = 6.0f m
R

3 3

14. (a) 9 × 10 13
J
GA

Explanation:
0.1
Energy released E = mc 2
=
100
8 2 13
× 1 × (3 × 10 ) J = 9 × 10 J

15.
(b) 1.862 MeV
Explanation:
1.862 MeV

16.
(c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
Explanation:
Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

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17. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:
1

Radius of nucleus = R = R0 A . 3

So, Volume of nucleus, V = 4

3
πR
3
0
A
Considering mass of proton = mass of neutron
=m
The mass of the nucleus = M = mA
So, density = = M

V
= 4
mA

3 4
m

3
πR A πR
3 0 3 0

So, the mean density is independent of mass number.

So, assertion and reason both are true and the reason properly explains the assertion.
18.
(c) A is true but R is false.
Explanation:

AR
Nuclear forces are nearly equally strong for all nuclei.

19. (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation:

HW
Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
Section B
20. a. If a heavy nuclei of low BE

A
splits up into two fragments, then BE

A
of the product nuclei increases and becomes stable. So, E
PS
→ C+D
If two nuclei of low BE

b. If atomic number decreases by 2 and mass number decreases by 4 an alpha particle is emitted out. So, ES
of the product nuclei increases and become stable. So, A + B → C
A
Z
α

X →
A−4

Z−2
Y
DM

−
B

If a β is emitted out, the atomic number increases by 1, while mass number remains unchanged. So,
− A−4

Z−2
Y −
−→
A−4

Z−1
W
T
21. i. Nuclear fission - It is a process in which a heavy nucleus when excited (say on bombarding by a slow moving neutron) splits
into two lighter nuclei of nearly comparable masses with a release of large amount of energy.
UK

Example of nuclear fission

1 235 236 144 89 1
n+ U → U → Ba + Kr + 3 n + Q
0 92 92 56 36 0

Nuclear Fusion - It is a process in which two lighter nuclei fuse (at extremely high temperature) to form a heavy nucleus and
large amount of energy is released.
Examples of nuclear fusion
HM

a. 1
1
H +
1
1
H →
2
1
H + e
+
+ v + Q1

b. 2
1
H +
2
1
H →
3
2
H + n + Q2

c. 2
1
H +
2
1
H →
3
1
H +
1
1
H + Q3

ii. The binding energy per nucleon of the products in the nuclear reactions (nuclear fission and nuclear fusion) is greater than that
R

of the reactants.
22. 2
1
H +
2
1
H →
3
2
He +
1
0
n
GA

Total initial mass ( 2

1
H+
2
1
H) = 2.0141 + 2.0141 = 4.0282 amu
Total initial mass ( 3
2
He +
1
0
n) = 3.0160 + 1.0087 = 4.0247 amu
Decrease in mass, Δm = 4.0282 - 4.0247 = 0.0035 amu
= 0.0035 × 1.661 × 10-27 kg
∴ Energy released

= Δm × c2 = 0.0035 × 1.661 × 10-27 × (3 × 108)2

= 5.232 × 10-13 J =
−13
5.232×10

−3
= 3.27 MeV
1.6×10

23. a. Properties of a Nucleus

i. Small Size: The nucleus is extremely small compared to the atom, with a radius on the order of 10-15 meters
(femtometers), while the atom is around 10-10 meters in size.

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 ii. Positive Charge: The nucleus carries a positive charge due to protons, which attracts the negatively charged electrons,
thus holding the atom together.
b. Density Comparison: The density of a nucleus is much higher than that of an atom because the nucleus is concentrated in a
much smaller volume. The entire mass of the atom, primarily concentrated in the nucleus, is packed into this tiny volume,
resulting in much higher density. The electron cloud surrounding the nucleus occupies a much larger volume, contributing less
to the overall mass density of the atom.
c. Nuclear Matter Density
The volume V of a nucleus is proportional to A, where A is the mass number:
3
1
4 4 3
V ≈ π(R0 A 3 ) = πR A
3 3 0

The density ρ of the nucleus is:

A×m m
Mass nucleon mucleon
ρ = = =
Volume 4
πR A
3 4
πR
3

3 0 3 0

Since mnucleon and R0 are constants, ρ is constant for all nuclei, showing that nuclear matter density is roughly the same

R
across different nuclei.
24. a. The constancy of the binding energy (B.E) per nucleon in the range 20 < A < 170 is a consequence of the fact that the nuclear

WA
force is short ranged.
b. i. 32

15
P ⟶
32

16
S +
0

−1
e + v̄

ii. 12
6
C +
12
6
C ⟶
20

10
Ne +
4
2
He

25. a)Q = [m( 12

6
C) + m( 12
6
C) - m( 20

10
N e) - m( 4
2
He) ] × 931.5 Me V
= [2 × 12 - 19.992439 - 4.002603] × 931.5 Me V

SH
= +4.618377
UK S
+Ve Q Value represents exothermic reaction.
P
26. i. Size of nucleus of an atom is determined by scattering experiments in which fast electrons are used to bombard targets.
TE
Relation between radius and mass number of nucleus.
RH DM

R = R0A1/3
ii. Density of nucleus
mass
ρ =
volume
m×A
ρ =
4 3
πR
3

mA
ρ =
3
4 1/3
π ( R0 A )
3
M

3m
ρ =
3
4πR
0

Hence, it is proved that density of nucleus is independent of mass number (A).

27. a. The atomic mass of the two isotopes are respectively given as 6.01512 u and 7.01600 u with have respective abundances of
7.5% and 92.5%.
Hence the mass of Lithium can be given as,
′ ′
Mass of 1 st isotope × it s abundance + mass of 2 nd isotope × it s abundance
MLi = ′
∑ of both the isotope s abundances
GA

6.01512×7.5+7.01600×92.5
= 100
= 6.9409 u
The mass of Lithium is given by = 6.9409 u
b. The atomic mass of the two isotopes of Boron ( B and B ) are given as 10.01294 u and 11.00931 u 10
5
11
5

Let their abundances be respectively, x and (100 - x) percent.

then,
10.01294×x+11.0931×(100−x)
10.811 = 100

So, x = 19.89% and (100 - x) = 80.11%

Hence the abundance of 10
5
B is 19.89% and that of 11
5
B is 80.11%
3.27
28. a)Energy released per atom = 2
× 1.6 × 10
−13
J

= 6.023× 1026
23

No. of atoms in 2kg of deuterium = 6.023× 10

2
×2000

Total energy released = 6.023× 1026× 3.27

2
× 1.6× 10-13 = 15.76× 1013 J

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 total energy
= 1.97× 1011 s
13

Time required = =
15.76×10

power of lamp 800

= 2.28× 106 years

11

Time required = 1.97×10

365×24×60×60

Hence, 2.0 kg deuterium keep 800 W electric lamp glowing for 2.28× 106 years.
29. 2
1
H +
2
1
H →
3
2
energy
He +
1
0
n+

If we take the above example, we observe that the proton number and neutron number get conserved. We see that the total rest
mass of neutron and protons will be similar on both sides in a nuclear reaction. Further, it is examined that the total binding energy
of nuclei on the left side should not be same as that of right-hand side where the difference between binding energies will result in
the release of energy in a reaction.
30. Q = [m(( H) + m( H) - m( H) - m( H)] × 931.5 MeV
1
1
3
1
2
1
2
1

= [1.007825 + 3.016049 - 2 × 2.014102] × 931.5 MeV

= -4.033395
-Ve Q value represents endothermic reaction.
31. In a nuclear reaction, the sum of the masses of the target nucleus ( H) and the bombarding particle ( H) is greater than the
2
1
2
1

AR
product nucleus ( H) and the outgoing neutron. So, from the law of conservation of mass-energy, some energy (3.27 MeV) is
3

evolved due to mass defect in the nuclear reaction. This energy is called Q-value of the nuclear reaction.
Section C
32. 238
92
U+
1
0
n ⟶
140
58
Ce +
99
44
Ru

HW
Δm = [m( U) + m( n) − m( Ce) − m( Ru)]
238
92
1
0
140
58
99
44

= (238.05079 + 1.008665 - 139.90543 - 98.90594) u

= 0.248085 u
Δm = 0.248085 × 931.5 Mev/c2 = 231.09 Mev/c2
PS
By Einstein mass-energy equivalence
E = Δm c2
= 231.09 MeV
× c
2
ES
DM

2
c

= 231.09 Mev
T
33. a. In 1932 James Chadwick studied the emission of neutral radiations when beryllium nuclei were bombarded with alpha
particles. He studied the bombardment of alpha particles and a penetrating radiation out of the beryllium and when this
UK

radiation was incident on wax it was emitting out protons by detector on the other side. If the radiations were gamma rays or
photons then to make protons emit from wax required huge energy which is not possible at the time with the photons. Also
according to conservation of energy and momentum he concluded the radiations to be of neutral charge but mass as very much
similar as proton and named as neutron.
b. Neutons and protons together are called as nucleons as they reside inside the nucleus. They have approximately same mass. If
HM

two nuclei have different number of protons and neutrons, but total number of nucleons are same i.e. mass number is same
they can have same radius. As radius of the nucleus r r ∝ A Where A is the mass number. y
3

34. binding energy, amount of energy required to separate a particle from a system of particles or to disperse all the particles of the
system.
R

​The Fe nucleus contains 26 protons and 30 neutrons.

56

26

Mass of 26 protons = 26 × 1.007825 = 26.203450 amu

GA

Mass of 30 neutrons = 30 × 1.008665 = 30.259950 amu

Total mass = 56.463400 amu
Mass of Fe nucleus = 55.934939 amu
56

26

Mass defect, Δm = 0.528461 amu

B.E. of Fe nucleus
56
26

= Δm × 931.5 MeV = 0.528461 × 931.5

= 492.26 MeV
492.26
B.E./nucleon of 56
26
Fe = 56
= 8.79 MeV
Now, the Bi nucleus contains 83 protons and 126 neutrons
209
83

Mass of 83 protons
= 83 × 1.007825 = 83.649475 amu
Mass of 126 neutrons
= 126 × 1.008665 = 127.091790amu

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 Total mass = 210.741265 amu
Mass Bi nucleus = 208.980388 amu
209
83

Mass defect, Δm = 1.760877amu

B.E. of Bi nucleus = 1.760877 × 931,5
209
83

= 1640.3 MeV
B.E./nucleon of Bi = = 7.85 MeV
209

83
1640.3

209

Clearly, 56

26
Fe has a greater B.E. per nucleon. In fact, it is the maximum value.
35. Total B.E of 235
92
Y = 7.8 × 235 = 1833 MeV
Total B.E. of 231
90
X = 7.835 × 231 = 1809.9 MeV

Total B.E. of He = 7.076 × 4 = 28.28 MeV

4
2

Energy released in the decay, Q

Q = B.E of X + B.E of He - B.E of Y
= 1809.9 + 28.28 - 1833
= 5.18 MeV

R
1
K.E of a particle, 2
mv
2
=Q
−
−−
2Q
∴ Speed of the emitted α particle is given by, v = √

WA
m
−−−−−−−−−−−−
−13

v=√ 2×5.18×1.6×10

−27
6.68×10

v = 1.58 × 107 ms-1

SH
UK S
36.
P
TE
RH DM

a. At ro the potential energy is minimum. Nuclear forces are attractive for r greater than ro and repulsive for lesser than ro. So
P.E. is increasing when they repel and P.E. decreases as the come close till ro.
b. 56
26
Fe ⟶ 2
28

13
Al

Q = [m(( 56
26
F e) - 2 m( 28
13
A) ] × 931.5 M ev
= [55.93494 - 2 × 27.98191] × 931.5 M ev
M

= -26.90172 M ev
-ve value of Q represents fission not possible.
37. Figure is a plot of the binding energy per nucleon Ebn versus the mass number A for a large number of nuclei.
GA

i. Larger the binding energy per nucleon, the greater the work that must be done to remove the nucleon from the nucleus, the
more stable the nucleus.
The binding energy per nucleon for the nucleus of range, 30 < A < 170 is close to its maximum value. So, the nucleus belongs
to this region is highly stable and does not show radioactivity.
ii. Binding energy per nucleon is smaller for heavier nuclei than the middle ones, i.e. heavier nuclei are less stable. When a
heavier nucleus such as a nucleus of mass number 240 splits into lighter nuclei (mass number 120), the BE/nucleon changes
from about 7.6 MeV to 8.4 MeV. Greater BE of the product nuclei results in the liberation of energy

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38. i. S, W, X
ii. Relation between A and Z is given by : Z = Z1 + Z2
A = A1 + A2
iii. Reason for low binding energy: In heavier nuclei, the Colombian repulsive effects can increase considerably and can match/
offset the attractive effects of the nuclear forces. This can result in such nuclei being unstable.
39. Here, E = ?
The nuclear reaction is
7 1 4
⋅3 Li + ⋅1 H → 2.2H e + Q

Mass defect, Δm = 7.0183 + 1.0081 − 2 × 4.0040

= 0.0184 a.m.u.
Q = 0.00184 × 931MeV = 17.13 MeV
Number of nuclei in 100g of 3Li7
23
6.023×10
= × 100
7

R
= 8.6 × 1024 = 8.6 × 1024
Total energy released when 100 g of 3Li7 is converted into Helium

WA
= 17.13 × 8.6 × 1024 MeV
= 17.13 × 8.6 × 1.6 × 10-13 × 1024J
As 1kWh = 3.6 × 106J
11
17.13×8.6×1.6×10

SH
∴ E = kW h
6
3.6×10
UK S
E = 6.5475 × 106kWh
40. Given that,
P
Mass m( Ca ) = 39.962591 u
40
20
TE
Mass m( Ca ) = 40.962278 u
41
RH DM

20

Mass m( 26
13
Al ) = 25.986895 u
Mass m( 27
13
Al ) = 26.981541 u

We know that,
Removal of one neutron ( 1
0
n ) from 41
20
Ca leads to the formation of 40
20
Ca ,
41 40 1
Ca → Ca + n
20 20 0

The mass defect of this reaction is given by,

40 1 41
Δm = m ( Ca) u + m ( n) u − m ( Ca) u
20 0 20
M

= 39.962591 u + 1.008665 u - 40.962278 u = 0.008978 u

We have, 1 a.m.u = 913.5 MeV/c2
Hence the energy required to remove neutron removal is given by,
E = Δ mc2 = 0.008978 MeV

2
× 31.5 c2 = 8.363007 MeV
c

We know that,
Removal of one neutron 1
0
n from 27
13
Al leads to the formation of 26
13
Al ,
27 26 1
GA

Al → Al + n
13 13 0

The mass defect of this reaction is given by,

26 1 27
Δm = m ( Al) + m ( n) u − m ( Al) u
13 0 13

= 25.986895 u + 1.008665 u - 26.981541 u = 0.014019 u

We have, 1 a.m.u = 913.5 MeV/c2
Hence the energy required to remove neutron removal,
E = Δmc2 = 0.014019 931.5 c2 = 13.059 MeV
MeV
×
2
c

Hence, Energy required for removal of neutron is given by,

Ca = 8.363007 MeV
41
20

26
13
= 13.059 MeV
Al

41. Given that,

Mass of a nucleus 238

92
U , m1 = 238.05079 u
Mass of a nucleus 140
58
Ce , m2 = 139.90543 u

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 Mass of a nucleus 99
44
Ru , m3 = 98.90594 u
Mass of a neutron 1
0
n , m4 = 1.008665 u
In the fission of 238

92
U , 10 beta particles are emitted. The nuclear reaction for the fission of U 238

92
by the fast neutron is as shown:-
238 1 140 99 −1
U + n→ Ce + Ru + 10 e
92 0 58 44

Energy released during above nuclear fission is given by,

Q = [m( U ) + m( n) - m'( C e) - m'( Ru ) - 10me]
238

92
1
0
140

58
99

44

Where,
m’ represents the corresponding atomic masses of the nuclei
m' U = m1 – 92me (∵ atomic number 92)
238
92

m (
′ 140
58
Ce) = m2 – 58me (∵ atomic number 58)
m (
′ 99

44
Ru) = m3 – 44me (∵ atomic number 44)
m ( n)
1
0
= m4

Q = (m1 - 92me + m4 - m2 + 58me - m3 + 44me - 10me) u × c2

R
∴

= (m1 + m4 - m2 - m3) u × c2

WA
= (238.05079 + 1.008665 - 139.90543 - 98.90594) u × c2
= (0.247995)u × c2
But, u = 931.5 MeV/c2
∴ Q = 0.247995 × 931.5 MeV

SH
= 231.007 MeV
UK S
The energy released during given fission reaction is 231.007 MeV.
Section D
P
42. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
TE
Neutrons and protons are identical particles in the sense that their masses are nearly the same and the force, called nuclear force,
RH DM

does into distinguishing them. The nuclear force is the strongest force. The stability of the nucleus is determined by the neutron-
proton ratio or mass defect or packing fraction. The shape of the nucleus is calculated by quadrupole moment and the spin of the
nucleus depends on even or odd mass numbers. The volume of the nucleus depends on the mass number. The whole mass of the
atom (nearly 99%) is centered at the nucleus.
(i) (a) all of these
Explanation:
All options are basic properties of nuclear forces. So, all options are correct.
M

(ii) (c) 1.4

​ × 10 −15
m​
Explanation:
The nuclear force is of short range and the range of nuclear force is the order of 1.4 × 10-15 m. Now, volume ∝ R3 ∝
A
(iii) (d) strong nuclear force.
Explanation: strong nuclear force.
GA

(iv) (a) Fn << Fe

Explanation:
Nuclear force is much stronger than the electrostatic force inside the nucleus i.e., at distances of the order of fermi. At
o

40 A, nuclear force is ineffective and only electrostatic force of repulsion is present. This is very high at this distance
because nuclear force is not acting now and the gravitational force is very feeble. Fnuclear ≪ Felectrostatic in this case.
OR
(a) nuclear forces
Explanation:
nuclear forces
43. Read the text carefully and answer the questions:
The graph below shows the binding energy per nucleon against nucleon number. Elements with a high binding energy per nucleon
are very difficult to break up. Iron 56 is close to the peak of the curve and has one of the highest binding energies per nucleon of

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any isotope.

(i) (a) mass defect of nucleus

Explanation:
mass defect of nucleus

R
(ii) (c) 10-15 m

WA
Explanation:
10-15 m
(iii) (d) 0.0024
Explanation:
0.0024

SH
UK S
(iv) (c) packing fraction
Explanation:
P
packing fraction
TE
OR
RH DM

(a) N ≥ Z
Explanation:
N≥Z
M
GA

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