Nuclear Physics
Lecture - 1 Size of Nucleus
Jayant Nagda
Physics Educator
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B.Tech, IIT Bombay
IIT-JEE AIR - 161
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Nuclear Physics It is the branch of physics which deals
with the study of Nucleus.
Physics of the Nucleus
Small volume at centre of the atom
where all the charge is concentrated
The Nucleus Discoverer : Rutherford
Presence verified by Rutherford’s experiment.
The Nucleus Small volume at centre of the atom where
all the charge is concentrated
Nuclear Constituents
neutrons (n) and protons (p)
collectively known as Nucleons
Nuclear Constituents
Neutron : It is a neutral particle.
It was discovered by J. Chadwick.
Mass of neutron, mn = 1.6749286 × 10–27 kg
Proton : It has a charge equal to +e.
It was discovered by Goldstein.
Mass of proton, mp = 1.6726231 × 10–27 kg
mn> mp
mp= 1840 me-
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
Order of q/m ratio of proton, 𝛂-particle and electron is –
A. e > p > 𝛂 B. p > 𝛂 > e
C. e > 𝛂 > p D. None of these
Atomic Mass Number
It is the nearest integer value of mass
represented in a.m.u. (atomic mass unit)
[ mass of one atom 6C12 atom
1 a.m.u =
at rest and in ground state]
Mass of proton (mp) = mass of neutron (mn) =
1 a.m.u. = 1.6603 x 10-27 kg ; 931.478 MeV/c2
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The mass of a neutral carbon atom in ground state is–
A. exact 12u B. < 12u
C. > 12u D. Depends on the form of carbon
such as graphite or diamond
Mass Energy Equivalence
In 1905, Einstein suggested
{matter can be viewed as condensed form of energy}
E = mc2
c : speed of light
Mass Energy Equivalence
From E = mc2
me = 511 kev/c2 = 0.5 MeV/c2
me= 9.1093897 x 10-31kg
mp=1.6726231 x 10-27 kg mp = 938.27 MeV/c2
mn=1.6749286 x 10-27kg mn = 939.56 MeV/c2
rest mass energy
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
Let ‘u’ denote one atomic mass unit.
One atom of an element of mass number A
has mass exactly equal to A u.
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
Nuclear Representation
The nucleus of an atom is symbolically written as
ZX A
X : chemical symbol of element
A : mass number
Z : number of protons,
N : number of neutrons
A=Z+N
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The number of protons in an atom X
of atomic number Z and mass number A is -
A. Zero B. Z C. (A – Z) D. A
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The number of neutrons in an atom X
of atomic number Z and mass number A is -
A. Zero B. Z C. (A – Z) D. A
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The number of electrons in an atom X
of atomic number Z and mass number A is -
A. Zero B. Z C. (A – Z) D. A
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The number of nucleons in an atom X
of atomic number Z and mass number A is -
A. Zero B. Z C. (A – Z) D. A
Nuclear Representation
A : mass number also
total number of nucleons
protons + neutrons ☰ nucleons
A=Z+N
Example
92U
238 has how many neutrons?
Distribution of e-s hence chemical property
Of an element is determined by ‘Z’
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
What is the number of neutrons in an atom of 90Th
230??
A. 90 B. 140 C. 230 D. 320
Different Types of Nuclei
The nuclei have been classified on the basis of the number of protons
(atomic number) or the total number of nucleons (mass number) as follows
Nuclei having some no. of protons
Isotopes
but different no. of neutrons are called Isotopes.
Different Types of Nuclei
Isotones The nuclei having equal number of neutrons
are called Isotones.
Isobars The nuclei which have the same mass number (A)
but different atomic number (Z) are called Isobars.
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
As compared to 12C atom, 14C atom has–
A. two extra protons and two extra electrons
B. two extra protons but no extra electron
C. two extra neutrons and no extra electron
D. two extra neutrons and two extra electrons
Size of Nucleus is of the Order of 10–15 m (fermi)
Experimental results indicates that the
nuclear radius is proportional to A1/3
(A: mass no. of nucleus)
Nuclear Radius R = R0 A 1/3
R0 = 1.1 x 10-15 m = 1.1 fm
Hence volume V = 4/3 π R03 A
Total Nuclear Mass m=nA {as mp ≈ mn}
Nuclear Density ρ=?
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
The density d of nuclear matter varies
with nucleon number A as -
A. d ∝ A3 B. d ∝ A2 C. d ∝ A D. d ∝ A0
Nuclear Density
Mass per unit volume of a nucleus.
Mass of nucleus
Nuclear density (ρ) = =
Volume of nucleus
ρ is independent of A,
and mA = Total Mass of Nucleus it means ρ is same
for all atoms.
m = Average of mass of a nucleon
(= mass of proton + mass of neutron = 1.66 x 10–27 kg)
R0 = 1.1 x 10-15 m = 1.1 fm
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
For Uranium nucleus how does its mass vary with volume?
IIT JEE 2003
A. m ∝ V B. m ∝ 1/V
C. m ∝ √V D. m ∝ V2
Example MCQ type Question [ +4 , -1]
Order of magnitude of density of Uranium nucleus is,
[mp = 1.67 × 10-27kg]
A. 1020 kg/m3 B. 1017 kg/m3
C. 1014 kg/m3 D. 1011 kg/m3 IIT JEE 1999
Daily Practice Problems
Example The radius R of a nucleus changes with the nucleon
number A of nucleus as -
A. R ∝ A2/3 B. R ∝ A1/3 C. R ∝ A0 D. R ∝ A
Ans: B
Example As the mass number A increases, which of the following
quantities related to the nucleus do not change ?
A. mass B. volume C. density D. binding energy
Ans: C
Example Fill in the Black type Question
Atoms having the same ........... but different ........... are called
isotopes.
(IIT JEE 1986)
Ans: atomic no., mass no.
Example True/False type Question
The order of magnitude of the density of nuclear matter is
104 kg m-2.
IIT JEE 1989
Ans: False
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