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Atomic Physics Notes Questions

1. The mass of each ion of canal rays is equal to that of.......

a) Equal to that of electron
b) Equal to that of proton
c) Equal to that of atom
d) Equal to that of neutron
Ans c
Explanation : The canal rays are positive rays which has mass nearly equal to that of
an electron
2. Who suggested that all elements are made up of hydrogen?
a) Dalton
b) Thomson
c) Prout
d) Rutherford
Ans c
Explanation : Prout observed that the atomic weights that had been measured for the
elements known at that time appeared to be whole multiples of the atomic weight of
hydrogen
3. Select the correct options from below regarding Rutherford gold foil experiment
a) Most of the particles either passed or scattered lesser angles reveals that
atom has lot of empty space
b) Some of the particles emitted canal rays, when striked the atom
c) Few alpha particles scattered backwards revealed that whole positive charge
is concentrated
a) 1 only
b) 1,2,3
c) 1,3
d) 2,3
Ans c

Explanation : Results ofRutherford gold foil experiment

4. Rutherford experiment failed to explain

a) Stability of atoms
b) An atom is electrically neutral
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Ans : a

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Explanation: according to electromagnetic theory an accelerated electron must radiate

energy, if electroncontinuously lose energy it will finally spiral down into nucleus finally
atom cannot be stable

5. When an electron jumps from outer orbit to 2nd orbit then it is known as
a) Lyman series
b) Balmer series
c) Paschen series
d) Pfund series
Ans: b
Explanation:
Lyman series (outer to 1st)
Balmer(outer to 2nd)
Paschen( outer to 3rd)
Pfund(outer to 5th)
Bracket (outer to 4th)
6. Sodium lamps are used in laboratory because of their ...... Nature
a) Composite
b) Monochromatic
c) Polychromatic
d) Coherence
Ans b

Explanation

Sodium vapour lamps gives only monochromatic yellow light

7. The intensity of X ray can be controlled by

a) No. Of electrons striking the target
b) Filament current
c) Nature of striking material
d) A and B
Ans d
Explanation
Intensity of X-rays depends upon the number of electrons striking the target i.e the rate
of emission of electrons by varying the filament current
8. Soft x-rays have
a) Wavelength below 1Å, high frequency, highenergy
b) Wavelength above 4Å, low frequency, less energy
c) Wavelength below 1Å,low frequency, high energy
d) Wavelength above 1Å, high frequency, low energy
Ans b
Explanation
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Should have wavelength above 4Å, lesser frequency and energy

9. Speed of cathode rays is equal to
a) 1/10th of speed of light
b) ½ of speed of light
c) Speed of light
d) None of the above
Ans d
Explanation
It is equal to 1/10th of the speed of light
10. In holography which of the following is recorded
a) Phase and amplitude
b) Amplitude and wavelength
c) Phase and frequency
d) Phase
Ans a
Explanation
In ordinary photography only amplitude of the light wave is recorded but in hologram
both phase and amplitude is recorded
11. The energy of the electron in the nth orbit is given by
a) 13.6/n²eV
b) -13.6/n² eV
c) -12.6/n² eV
d) 12.6/n² eV
Ans b
Explanation
By substituting the known values in following equation
We get En = -13.6/n² eV, 1 eV = 1.602 ×10-¹9
12. In Bohr atom model, the radius of orbit is proportional to
a) 0 b)n c)-n² d)n²
Ans d
Explanation
r = èn²h²/pi Zme². r is proportional to n² and é is epsilon
13. In paschen series the spectral lines are in _______ region
a) Ultraviolet
b) Visible
c) Infrared
d) X-ray
Ans c

Explanation

Lyman series - UV rays

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Balmer series – visible

Paschen and bracket series – Infrared

14. The size of an atom is of the order of

a) 10^-8 m
b) 10^-9 m
c) 10^-14 m
d) 10^-10 m
Ans d

Explanation

The size of an atom is of the order 10^-10 m

15. Rutherford alpha particles experiment shows that most of the atom is
a) Atom is hollow
b) Whole mass is concentrated at the centre
c) Nucleus is positively charged
d) All the above
Ans d
Explanation
Rutherford alpha particles experiment showed that atom is hollow and it’s mass is
concentrated at the centre with the nucleus being positively charged
16. When the electron jumps from lower orbit to higher orbit it will
a) Absorb energy
b) Release energy
c) No gain of energy
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
When an electron jumps from higher to lower emits energy in the form of photon and
when it jumps from lower to higher orbit it absorbs energy
17. The life of an electron in the excited state is normally
a) 10^-2 seconds
b) 10^-5 seconds
c) 10^-8 seconds
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
Life time in excited state is 10^-3 seconds, such energy levels are called metastable
states.
18. Conditions for achieving laser action

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a) Population inverse
b) Excited state should be at metastable state
c) Spontaneous emission
d) Both a and b
Ans d

Explanation

There should be inverted populationi.e more atoms at excited state than in ground state,
excited state should be a meta stable state . Emitted photons must stimulate further
emission

19. According to Moseley’s law, the frequency of the x-ray spectrum is proportional
to
a) Square root of atomic number
b) Square of atomic number
c) Square of atomic mass
d) Square root of atomic mass
Ans b
Explanation
Moseley’s law states that the frequency of the spectral line in the characteristic x-ray
spectrum is directly proportional to the square of atomic number
v proportional to Z²
20. Moseley law led to the discovery of
a) Hafnium
b) Technetium
c) Rhenium
d) All the above
Ans d
Explanation
Also it helped in determining the atomic number of rare earth elements and fixing their
position in periodic table
21. The value of Rydberg constant is
a) 1.094 × 10^7 1/m
b) 1 609 × 10^7 m/s
c) 1.609 ×10^7 1/m
d) 1.094 × 10^7 m/s
Ans a
Explanation
It is a fixed value

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22. According to classical electromagnetic theory, the circular path of an electron in

Rutherford experiment is
a) Spiral
b) Circular
c) Parabolic
d) Straight line
Ans a
Explanation
According to classical theory it take spiral path but Rutherford said it as circular path
23. The electrons revolving around the nucleus in the stationary orbits will not
radiate energy was said in
a) Rutherford atom model
b) Thomson atom model
c) Bohr atom model
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
Bohr’s atom model states that
The electrons can revolve around nucleus only in permissible orbits which is stationery
or non radiating orbit.
24. Select the correct option regarding properties of cathode rays
a) They can travel in straight lines
b) They posses momentum and potential energy
c) They produce heat when they fall on matter
d) When cathode ray falls on solid substance of large atomic weight , it produce
infra red rays
a. a only
b. a , b , c
c. a and c
d. a and b
Ans c

Explanation

They posses momentum and kinetic energy, they produce x-ray when they fall on solid
substance of high atomic weight, they travel straight

25. Positive rays or canal rays are deflected by

a) Electric field
b) Magnetic field
c) Both a and b
d) They are not deflected
Ans c
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Explanation
Positive rays are deflected by both electric and magnetic field and their deflection is
opposite to that of cathode rays
26. The determination of specific charge of an electron is done by
a) Millikan’s oil drop experiment
b) Rutherford gold foil experiment
c) Thomson’s method
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
The specific charge (e/m) of electron is founded by Thomson method, specific charge is
nothing but the charge per unit mass of the particle
27. The charge of an electron is determined by which method
a) Rutherford experiment
b) Thomson’s method
c) Millikan’s oil drop experiment
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
This method is based on the motion of uncharged oil under free fall due to gravity and
charged oil due to uniform electric field
28. At what level the energy of the electron is said to be at least
a) Metastable
b) Ground
c) Excited
d) At all levels
Ans b
Explanation
According to Bohr’s theoryelectron revolve around discrete orbit without losing energy,
it is said to have least energy when it is at ground state
29. The following is a accelerating potential that makes impinging electron acquire
sufficient energy to knock out an electron from atom
a) Excitation potential
b) Ionisation potential
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
It knocks out the electron from the atom and ionise the atom and so it is called as
ionisation potential
30. The ionisation potential of hydrogen atom is
a) 13.6 V
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b) 13.56 V
c) 13.6 eV
d) 12 4 eV
Ans c
Explanation
Ionisation of hydrogen atom required to knock out an electron from an atom is 13.6 eV
31. The minimum potential energy required to excite a free neutral atom from
ground state to higher state is
a) Excitation potential
b) Critical potential
c) Ionisation potential
d) All of the above
Ans d
Explanation
Both the excitation and ionisation potential are called as critical potentials
32. Select the short comings of Bohr’s theory
a) It doesn’t account for the spectra of atoms more complex than hydrogen
b) It doesn’t give information about regarding distribution of electrons in an
atom
c) A and b
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
See through the shortcomings of Bohr’s theory
33. According to Sommer field atom model,the path of an electron around the
nucleus is
a) Circular
b) Spiral
c) Ellipse
d) None of the above
Ans c

Explanation

According to this the path of an electron around the is elliptical having nucleus as one
of its foci

34. The energy of the electron is Maximum and minimum at ..... To the nucleus
a) Nearest and farthest
b) Farthest and nearest
c) It depends
d) None of the above
Ans a
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Explanation
According to Sommerfeld atom model the energy of the atom is maximum and minimum
at nearest and farthest to nucleus
35. X-rays were founded by
a) Marie curie
b) Wilhelm Roentgen
c) John Masefield
d) None of the above
Ans a

Explanation

Wilhelm Roentgen founded X-rays when he was studying the phenomenon of discharge
of electricity through gases

36. X-rays are produced when ______ electrons strike a metal target of suitable
material
a) Slow moving
b) Fast moving
c) Moderate speed
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
X-rays are produced when fast moving electrons strike a metal target of suitable material
, they are invisible penetrating radiation is produced
37. Select the correct requirements for producing X-rays
a) Source of electron
b) Effective means of accelerating the electrons
c) Suitable target of low atomic number
A) a only
B) a and b
C) a , b , c
D) b and c
Ans b

Explanation

Metal should be of high atomic number

38. The pressure that suits the production of X rays in the Coolidge tube is
a) 10^-8 mm
b) 10^-7mm
c) 10^-6mm

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d) 10^2mm
Ans c

Explanation

The Coolidge tube should have 10^-6 mm of mercury pressure inside it and the metal
used for cathode is tungsten

39. In the production of X rays the anode should have

a) High melting point and high thermal conductivity
b) Low melting point and high thermal conductivity
c) High melting and low thermal conductivity
d) Low melting point and low thermal conductivity
Ans a

Explanation

The anode should have high melting point because it should not get melted by the heat
produced by fast moving electrons and high thermal conductivity to carry away the heat
generated.

40. They wavelength of X-rays depends upon the _______energy of electrons

a) Mechanical energy
b) Kinetic energy
c) Potential energy
d) None of the above
Ans b

Explanation

It depends upon the kinetic energy of electrons and the kinetic energy depends upon
the potential difference between the filament and the target

41. X-rays travel in straight with the speed of

a) Speed of sound
b) Speed of light
c) 1/10th of speed of light
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
They travel in the straight line with velocity of light and they are electromagnetic waves
of very short wavelength
42. X-rays are deflected by
a) Magnetic field
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b) Electric field
c) Gravitational
d) None of the above
Ans d

Explanation

X-rays are not deflected by electric and magnetic Fields and this indicates they don not
have charged particles

43. X–rays can penetrate through which of the following substances

a) Wood
b) Glass
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
X–rays can penetrate through the substances which are opaque to ordinary light e.g.
wood, flesh, thick paper, thin sheets of metals.
44. X-rays is destructive to which of the following cells
a) RBC
b) WBC
c) Platelets
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
When the human body is exposed to X-rays, it causes redness of the skin, sores and
serious injuries to the tissues and glands. They destroy the white corpuscles of the
blood.
45. Which characteristic of X-rays is used for measuring its intensity
a) Diffraction
b) Ionisation
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Ans b

Explanation

the ionization produced by X–rays in a gas or vapour is generally used to detect and
measure the intensity of X-rays.

46. Any plane containing an arrangement of atoms is known as

a) Lattice plane
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b) Cleavage plane
c) Both a and b
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
Any plane containing an arrangement of atoms is known as lattice plane or cleavage
plane. The spacing between the atoms is of the order of 10-10 m.
47. X-rays cannot pass through ordinary diffraction grating because
a) Great wave length
b) Very short wavelength
c) It will pass through the grating
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
Attempts were made to measure the wave length of X-rays by means of diffraction
gratings which proved unsuccessful, as the grating failed to disperse X–rays on account
of their very small wavelength
48. The crystal used by Von laue for the diffraction of Xrays is
a) Zinc sulphide
b) Copper sulphate
c) Ferric sulphide
d) Zinc sulphate
Ans a
Explanation
The Xrays beam is passed through ZnS crystal for diffraction, because Xrays have very
short wavelength
49. Using Bragg’s spectrometer the wave length of Xrays can be founded by
a) 2d sin θ = nλ
b) d sin θ = nλ
c) 2d sin θ = 2nλ
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
This is result of Bragg’s spectrometer
2d sin θ = nλ where, n = 1, 2, 3 … etc. This is known as Bragg’s law
50. Characteristic of laser beam
a) Is monochromatic
b) Does not diverge
c) Extremely intense
d) All the above
Ans d
Explanation
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These are the properties of laser beam

51. In a system of thermal equilibrium, the number of atoms in the ground state is
_____ than the number of atoms in the excited state
a) Greater
b) Smaller
c) Equal
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
In a system of thermal equilibrium, the number of atoms in the ground state is greater
than the number of atoms in the excited state. This is called normal population.
52. If photons of energy hν = E2-E1 are incident on the sample, the photons can
interact with the atoms in the ground state and are taken to excited state. This is
called
a) Stimulated absorption
b) Induced absorption
c) Free absorption
d) Both a and b
Ans d
Explanation
It is called as both stimulated and induced absorption.
53. The process by which the atoms in the ground state is taken to the excited state
is known as
a) Drifting
b) Pumping
c) Pulling
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
The process by which the atoms in the ground state is taken to the excited state is
known as pumping. If it is taken with the help of light it is called optical pumping.
54. If the number of atoms in the excited state becomes greater than the number of
atoms in the ground state . This is called as
a) Population increase
b) Population decrease
c) Population inverse
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
If the atoms in the ground state are pumped to the excited state by external agency it is
called population inversion .
55. A Ruby rod is a crystal of
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a) Aluminium oxide
b) Chromium oxide
c) Sulphur oxide
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
Single crystal of ruby rod of length 10 cm and 0.8 cm in diameter. A ruby is a crystal of
aluminium oxide Al2O3.
56. Which of the following is the wavelength of laser produced by Ruby laser
a. 6983 Å
b. 6923 Å
c. 5943 Å
d. 6943 Å
Ans d
Explanation
When the excited ion from the metastable state E2 drops down spontaneously to the
ground state E1, it emits a photon of wavelength 6943 Å.
57. In Helium Neon laser discharge tube the ratio between He and Ne is
a) 1:2
b) 1:6
c) 1:4
d) 1:10
Ans c
Explanation
He – Ne laser system consists of a quartz discharge tube containing helium and neon in
the ratio of 1 : 4 at a total pressure of about 1 mm of Hg.
58. The wavelength of laser produced by He-Ne is
a) 5328 Å
b) 4356 Å
c) 6328 Å
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
He-Ne emits a 6328 Å photon in the visible region.
59. Find out the uses of laser
a) Used for micro surgery
b) Removing kidney stone and tumour
c) In Endoscopy
d) All the above
Ans d
Explanation
X rays find huge application in medical, scientific and other researches.
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60. MASER stands for

a) Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
b) Minimum Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
c) Microwave Amplification by Standard Emission of Radiation
d) Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radium
61. The practical maser material are
a) Chromium
b) Gadolinium
c) Ammonia gas
d) All the above
Ans d
Explanation
Practical maser materials are chromium or gadolinium ions doped as impurities in ionic
crystals. Ammonia gas is also a maser material.
62. Which of the following is used in molecular spectroscopy
a) Laser
b) Electron
c) Maser
d) Proton
Ans c
Explanation it finds use in molecular spectroscopy
63. Which of the following is used to remove unwanted material in semiconductor
and electronic industries
a) Maser
b) Electric current
c) Laser
d) None of the above
Ans c

Explanation

The laser beam is used to vapourize the unwanted material during the manufacture of
electronic circuit on semiconductor chips.

64. A 3 dimensional image of an object is taken by

a) Photo graphy
b) Holography
c) Both a and b
d) None
Ans b
Explanation
A three dimensional image of an object can be formed by holography. In ordinary
photography, the amplitude of the light wave is recorded.
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65. Which of following property of the laser beam makes it a very useful tool for
microwave communication.
a) Intense laser
b) Narrow angular spread
c) Monochromatic
d) None of the above
Ans b
Explanation
Narrow angular spread of the laser beam makes it a very useful tool for microwave
communication. Communication with earth satellites and in rocketry.
66. Which of the following law helps in arranging the elements in periodic table by
Atomic number and not by atomic weight
a) Moseley’s law
b) Avagadro’s law
c) Newton’s law
d) None of the above
Ans a
Explanation
Any discrepancy in the order of the elements in the periodic table can be removed by
Moseley’s law by arranging the elements according to the atomic numbers and not
according to the atomic weights.
67. At atmospheric pressure, air and other gases are ____conductors of electricity.
a) Good conductors
b) Semi conductors
c) Bad conductors
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
At atmospheric pressure, air and other gases are poor conductors of electricity. This is
because , they do not have free charged particles.
68. When cathode rays strike a solid substance of large atomic weight,______ are
produced.
a) Infra red rays
b) Ultraviolet rays
c) X-rays
d) Visible rays
Ans c
Explanation
When cathode rays strike a solid substance of large atomic weight, X-rays are produced.
69. The velocity of canal rays is ____ than the velocity of cathode rays.
a) Equal
b) Larger
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c) Smaller
d) None of the above
Ans c
Explanation
The velocity of canal rays is much smaller than the velocity of cathode rays.
70. Which of the following highly viscous liquid is used in Millikan’s oil drop
experiment
a) Glycerine
b) Glycol
c) Oil
d) Grease
Ans a
Explanation
A spray of fine droplets of a highly viscous liquid (such as glycerine) is produced by
means of an atomizer.

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