NCERT Solutions for Class 12

Physics
Chapter 13 – Nuclei

1.
a) Two stable isotopes of lithium 63 Li and 73 Li have respective abundances
of 7.5% and 92.5% These isotopes have masses 6.01512u and 7.01600u ,
respectively. Find the atomic mass of lithium.
Ans: We are given the following information:
Mass of 63 Li lithium isotope, m1  6.01512u
Mass of 73 Li lithium isotope, m2  7.01600u
Abundance of 63 Li , n1  7.5%
Abundance of 73 Li , n 2  92.5%
The atomic mass of lithium atom is given by,
m n  m2n 2
m 1 1
n1  n 2
Substituting the given values, we get,
6.01512  7.5  7.01600  92.5
m
92.5  7.5
m  6.940934u
Therefore, we found the atomic mass of lithium atom to be 6.940934u .

b) Boron has two stable isotopes 105 B and 115 B . Their respective masses are
10.01294u and 11.00931u , and the atomic mass of boron is 10.811u . Find
the abundances of 105 B and 115 B .
Ans: We are given:
Mass of 105 B Boron isotope, m1  10.01294u
Mass of 115 B lithium isotope, m2  11.00931u
Abundance of 105 B , n1  x%
Abundance of 115 B , n 2  100  x  %
We know the atomic mass of boron to be, m  10.811u
The atomic mass of lithium atom is given by,
m n  m2n 2
m 1 1
n1  n 2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 1

Substituting the given values, we get,
10.01294  x  11.00931  100  x 
10.811 
x  100  x 
 1081.11  10.01294x  1100.931  11.00931x
19.821
x   19.89%
0.99637
And, 100  x  80.11%
Therefore, we found the abundance of 105 B and 11
5 B to be 19.89% and 80.11%
respectively.

2. The three stable isotopes of neon: 20 21 22

10 Ne, 10 Ne and 10 Ne have respective
abundances of 90.51%, 0.27% and 9.22%. The atomic masses of the three
isotopes are 19.99 u, 20.99 u and 21.99 u , respectively. Obtain the average
atomic mass of neon.
Ans: We are given that:
Atomic mass of 20 10 Ne , m1  19.99u

Abundance of 2010 Ne , 1  90.51%

Atomic mass of 1021

Ne , m2  20.99u
Abundance of 10 Ne , 2  0.27%
21

Atomic mass of 22 10 Ne , m3  21.99u

Abundance of 2210 Ne , 3  9.22%

The average atomic mass of neon could be given as,
m   m 22  m33
m 1 1
1  2  3
Substituting the given values, we get,
19.99  90.51  20.99  0.27  21.99  9.22
m
90.51  0.27  9.22
m  20.1771u
The average atomic mass of neon is thus found to be 20.177u.

3. Obtain the binding energy (in MeV) of a nitrogen nucleus  14

7 N  , given
m  147 N   14.00307u
Ans: We are given:
Atomic mass of nitrogen  7 N14  , m  14.00307u
A nucleus of 7 N14 nitrogen contains 7 protons and 7 neutrons.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 2

Hence, the mass defect of this nucleus would be, m  7mH  7mn  m
Where,
Mass of a proton, mH  1.007825u
Mass of a neutron, mn  1.008665u
Substituting these values into the above equation, we get,
m  7 1.007825  7 1.008665  14.00307
 m  7.054775  7.06055  14.00307
m  0.11236u
But we know that, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 m  0.11236  931.5MeV / c2
Now, we could give the binding energy as,
E b  mc 2
Where, c  speed of light =3  108ms 2
 MeV 
Now, E b  0.11236  931.5  2   c2
 c 
 Eb  104.66334MeV
Therefore, we found the binding energy of a Nitrogen nucleus to be
104.66334MeV .
56 209
4. Obtain the binding energy of the nuclei 26 Fe and 83 Bi in units of MeV
26 Fe   55.934939u , m 
from the following data: m  56 209
83Bi   208.980388u
Ans: We are given the following:
Atomic mass of 5626 Fe , m1  55.934939u

26 Fe nucleus has 26 protons and 56  26  30 neutrons

56

Hence, the mass defect of the nucleus would be, m  26  mH  30  mn  m1

Where, Mass of a proton, mH  1.007825u
Mass of a neutron, mn  1.008665u
Substituting these values into the above equation, we get,
m  26 1.007825  30 1.008665  55.934939
 m  26.20345  30.25995  55.934939
m  0.528461u
But we have, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
m  0.528461 931.5MeV / c2
The binding energy of this nucleus could be given as,
E b1  mc2
Where, c = Speed of light

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 3

  MeV 
 E b1  0.528461 931.5  2   c2
 c 
 Eb1  492.26MeV
Now, we have the average binding energy per nucleon to be,
492.26
B.E   8.79MeV
56
Also, atomic mass of 20983 Bi , m2  208.980388u

83 Bi nucleus has 83 protons and 209  83  126 neutrons

We know that, 209
Where,
Mass of a proton, mH  1.007825u
Mass of a neutron, mn  1.008665u
m'  83 1.007825  126 1.008665  208.980388
 m'  83.649475  127.091790  208.980388
m'  1.760877u
But we know, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
Hence, the binding energy of this nucleus could be given as,
 MeV 
E b2  m'c2  1.760877  931.5  2   c 2
 c 
 Eb2  1640.26MeV
1640.26
Average binding energy per nucleon is found to be   7.848MeV
209
Hence, the average binding energy per nucleon is found to be 7.848MeV .

5. A given coin has a mass of 3.0 g. Calculate the nuclear energy that would
be required to separate all the neutrons and protons from each other. For
simplicity assume that the coin is entirely made of 63 29 Cu atoms (of mass
62.92960u ).
Ans: We are given:
Mass of a copper coin, m'  3g
Atomic mass of 29 Cu 63 atom, m  62.92960u
N A  m'
The total number of 2963
Cu atoms in the coin, N 
Mass number
Where, N A  Avogadro’s number  6.023  10 atoms / g
23

Mass number = 63g

6.023  1023  3
N  2.868  1022
63

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 4

29Cu 63 nucleus has 29 protons and  63  29   34 neutrons
Mass defect of this nucleus would be, m'  29  mH  34  mn  m
Where,
Mass of a proton, mH  1.007825u
Mass of a neutron, mn  1.008665u
m'  29 1.007825  34 1.008665  62.9296  0.591935u
Mass defect of all the atoms present in the coin would be,
m  0.591935  2.868  1022  1.69766958  1022 u
But we have, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 m  1.69766958  1022  931.5MeV / c2
Hence, the binding energy of the nuclei of the coin could be given as:
 MeV 
E b  mc2  1.69766958  1022  931.5  2   c 2
 c 
 E b  1.581 1025 MeV
But, 1MeV  1.6  1013 J
 E b  1.581 1025  1.6  1013
 E b  2.5296  1012 J
This much energy is needed to separate all the neutrons and protons from the
given coin.

6. Write the nuclear reactions for:

a)   decay of 226
88 Ra

Ans: We know that,  is basically a nucleus of Helium  2 He 4  and  is an

electron  e for  and e for   . In every  -decay, there is a loss of 2 protons
and 2 neutrons. In every  -decay, there is a loss of 1 proton and a neutrino is
emitted from the nucleus. In every  -decay, there is a gain of 1 proton and an
antineutrino is emitted from the nucleus.
For the given case, the nuclear reaction would be,
88 Ra
226
 86 Rn 222  2 He4

b)   decay of 242
94 Pu

Ans: 94 Pu  92 U  42 He
242 238

c)   decay of 3215 P

15 P  16 S  e  
Ans: 32 32

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 5

d)   decay of 210
83 Bi

83 B  84 Po  e  
Ans: 210 210

e)    decay of 116 C
Ans: 116 C  115 B  e  

f)    decay of 9743Tc

Ans: 9743Tc  97
42 Mo  e  

g) Electron capture of 120

54 Xe

54 Xe  e  53 I  
Ans: 120 120

7. A radioactive isotope has a half-life of T years. How long will it take the
activity to reduce to:
a) 3.125% of its original value?
Ans: We are said that, Half-life of the radioactive isotope  T years
Original amount of the radioactive isotope  N0
(a) After decay, let the amount of the radioactive isotope be N.
It is given that only 3.125% of N 0 remains after decay. Hence, we could write,
N 3.125 1
 3.125%  
N0 100 32
N
But we know that,  et
N0
Where,   Decay constant and t  Time
1
 t 
32
 t  lnl  ln32
 t  0  3.4657
3.4657
t

0.693
But, since  
T
3.466
t
 0.693 
 
 T 
 t  5T years

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 6

Therefore, we found that the isotope will take about 5T years in order to reduce
to 3.125% of its original value.

b) 1% of its original value?

Ans: After decay, let the amount of the radioactive isotope be N
It is given that only 1% of N 0 remains after decay. Hence, we could write:
N 1
 1% 
N0 100
N
But we know,  et
N0
1
 et 
100
 t  ln1  ln100
 t  0  4.602
4.6052
t

0.639
Since we have,  
T
4.6052
t
 0.693 
 
 T 
 t  6.645T years
Therefore, we found that the given isotope would take about 6.645T years so as
to reduce to 1% of its original value.

8. The normal activity of living carbon-containing matter is found to be

about 15 decays per minute for every gram of carbon. This activity arises
from the small proportion of radioactive 146 C present with the stable carbon
isotope 126 C . When the organism is dead, its interaction with the atmosphere
(which maintains the above equilibrium activity) ceases and its activity
begins to drop. From the known half-life (5730 years) of 146 C , and the
measured activity, the age of the specimen can be approximately estimated.
This is the principle of 146 C dating used in archaeology. Suppose a specimen
from Mohenjodaro gives an activity of 9 decays per minute per gram of
carbon. Estimate the approximate age of the Indus-Valley civilisation.
Ans: We are given that:
Decay rate of living carbon-containing matter, R  15 decay / min

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 7

Let N be the number of radioactive atoms present in a normal carbon- containing
matter.
Half life of 146 C, T1  5730 years
2
The decay rate of the specimen obtained from the Mohenjodaro site:
R '  9 decays / min
Let N' be the number of radioactive atoms present in the specimen during the
Mohenjodaro period.
Therefore, we can relate the decay constant,  and time, t as:
N' R ' t
 e
N R
9 3
 et  
15 5
3
 t  log e  0.5108
5
0.5108
t

But we know,
0.693 0.693
 
T1 5730
2
0.5108
t  4223.5 years
 0.693 
 
 5730 
Therefore, the approximate age of the Indus-Valley civilization is found to be
4223.5 years.

60
9. Obtain the amount of 27 Co necessary to provide a radioactive source of
60
8.0 mCi strength. The half-life of 27 Co is 5.3 years.
Ans: We know that,
The strength of the radioactive source could be given as,
dN
 8.0mCi
dt
dN
  8  103  3.7  1010  29.6  107 decay / s
dt
Where, N is the required number of atoms.
60
Half life of 27 Co , T1  5.3years
2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 8

 T1  5.3  365  24  60  60  1.67  108 s
2
For decay constant  , we could give the rate of decay as,
dN
 N
dt
0.693 0.693 1
Where,    s
T1 1.67  108
2

1 dN 29.6  107
N   7.133  1016 atoms
 dt  0.693 
 8 
 1.67  10 
Now for 27 Co60 , Mass of Avogadro number of atoms  60g
60  7.133  1016
Then, mass of 7.133  10 atoms 
16
 7.106  106 g
6.023  10 23

60
Therefore, the amount of 27 Co that is required for the purpose is
7.106  106 g .

10. The half life of 90 38 Sr is 28years. What is the disintegration rate of 15mg
of this isotope?
Ans: We know that,
38 Sr , t 1  28years  28  365  24  3600  8.83  10 s
Half life of 90 8

2
Mass of the isotope, m  15mg
90g of 90 90
38 Sr atom contains Avogadro number of atoms. So, 15mg of 38 Sr
contains,
6.023  1023  15  103
 1.0038  1020 number of atoms
90
dN
Rate of disintegration would be,  N
dt
0.693 1
Where,  is the decay constant given by,   s
8.83  108
dN 0.693  1.0038  1020
   7.878  1010 atoms / s
dt 8.83  108

Therefore, we found the disintegration rate of 15mg of given isotope to be

7.878  1010 atoms / s .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 9

11. Obtain approximately the ratio of the nuclear radii of the gold isotope
197 107
79 Au and the silver isotope 47 Ag .
Ans: We know that,
Nuclear radius of the gold isotope 79 Au197  R Au
Nuclear radius of the silver isotope 47 Ag107  R Ag
Mass number of gold, AAu  197
Mass number of silver, A Ag  107
We also know that the ratio of the radii of the two nuclei is related with their
mass numbers as:
1

R Au  A Au  3
   1.2256
R Ag  A Ag 
Hence, the ratio of the nuclear radii of the gold and silver isotopes is found to be
about 1.23.

12. Find the Q-value and the kinetic energy of the emitted α-particle in the
α-decay of: [Given: m  226 88 Ra   226.02540u, m  89 Rn   222.01750u,
222

m  220
86 Rn   220.01137u, m  84 Po   216.00189u ]
216

a) 226
88 Ra
Ans: We know that,
Alpha particle decay of 26 88 Ra emits a helium nucleus. As a result, its mass

number reduces to 222   226  4  and its atomic number reduces to

86   88  2  . This is shown in the following nuclear reaction:
226
88 Ra  222
86 Ra  2 He
4

Q  value of emitted   particle  Sum of initial mass  Sum of final mass  c2

Where, c = Speed of light
It is also given that:
m  226
88 Ra   226.02540u

m  220
86 Rn   220.01137u

m  42 He   4.002603u
On substituting these values into the above equation,
Q value = 226.02540   222.01750  4.002603 uc2
Q value=0.005297uc2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 10

But we know, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.005297  931.5  4.94MeV
 Mass number after decay 
Kinetic energy of the  particle   Q
 Mass number before decay 
222
 K.E    4.94  4.85MeV
226
Hence, the Kinetic energy of the alpha particle is found to be 4.85MeV .

220
b) 86 Rn
Ans: We know that, Alpha particle decay of 220 86 Rn could be given as,

86 Rn  84 Po  2 He
220 216 4

We are also given,

Mass of 22086 Rn  220.01137u

Mass of 84 Po  216.00189u
216

Now, Q value could be given as,

Q  value  220.01137   216.00189  4.00260   931.5  641MeV
Now, we have the kinetic energy as,
 220  4 
K.E      6.41  6.29MeV
 220 
The kinetic energy of the alpha particle is found to be 6.29MeV .

13. The radionuclide 116 C decays according to,


6 C  5 B  e   ; T1  20.3min
11 11

The maximum energy of the emitted positron is 0.960MeV .

Given the mass values: m  116 C   11.011434u and m  116 B   11.009305u
Calculate Q and compare it with the maximum energy of the positron
emitted.
Ans: The given nuclear reaction is,

6C  5B  e  
11 11

Half life of 116 C nuclei, T1  20.3min

2
Atomic masses are given to be:
m  116 C   11.011434u
m  116 B   11.009305u

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 11

Maximum energy that is possessed by the emitted positron would be 0.960MeV
. The change in the Q - value  Q  of the nuclear masses of the 116 C
Q   m'  6 C11    m'  115 B   m e   c 2 …... (1)
 
Where, me  Mass of an electron or positron = 0.000548u
c  Speed of light
m'  Respective nuclear masses
If atomic masses are used instead of nuclear masses, then we will have to add
6me in the case of 11 C and 5me in case of 11 B .
Hence, equation (1) would now reduce to,
   
Q   m 6 C11  m 115 B  2me  c2
Where, m  6 C11  and m  B are the atomic masses.
11
5

Now, we have the change in Q value as,

Q  11.011434  11.009305  2  0.000548 c2   0.001033c2  u
But we know, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
Q  0.001033  931.5  0.962MeV
We see that the Q value is almost comparable to the maximum energy of the
emitted positron.


14. The nucleus 23 10 Ne decays by  emission. Write down the  decay
equation and determine the maximum kinetic energy of the electrons
emitted. Given that:
m  23
10 Ne   22.994466u

m  23
11 Na   22.989770u

Ans: We know that: In  emission, the number of protons increases by 1, and

one electron and an antineutrino are emitted from the parent nucleus.  emission
of the nucleus could be given by,

10 Ne  11 Na  e    Q
23 23

It is also given that:

Atomic mass of 10 23
Ne  22.994466u
Atomic mass of 23 11 Na  22.989770u
Mass of an electron, me  0.000548u
Q value of the given reaction could be given as:
Q   m  10
23
Ne    m  23
11 Na   m e  c
 2
 

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 12

There are 10 electrons in 10 Ne23 and 11 electrons in 23
11 Na . Hence, the mass of
the electron is cancelled in the Q-value equation.
Q   22.994466  22.9897770 c2   0.004696c2  u
But we have, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.004696  931.5  4.374MeV
The daughter nucleus is too heavy as compared to that of e and  . Hence, it
carries negligible energy. The kinetic energy of the antineutrino is found to be
nearly zero.
Hence, the maximum kinetic energy of the emitted electrons is almost equal to
the Q-value, i.e., 4.374MeV .

15. The Q-value of a nuclear reaction A  b  C  d is defined by

Q  m A  mb  mC  md c2 where the masses refer to the respective nuclei.
Determine from the given data the Q-value of the following reactions and
state whether the reactions are exothermic or endothermic.
Atomic masses are given to be: m  21 H   2.014102u, m  31 H   3.016049u,
m  126 C   12.000000u, m  20
10 Ne   19.992439u

a) 11 H  31 H  21 H  21 H
The given nuclear reaction is:
1H  1H  1H  1H
1 3 2 2

Atomic mass of 11 H  1.007825u

Atomic mass of 31 H  3.0164049u
Atomic mass of 21 H  2.014102u
According to the question, the Q-value of the reaction could be written as:
Q   m  11 H   m  31 H   2m  21 H  c2
 Q  1.007825  3.016049  2  2.014102 c2   0.00433c2  u
But we know, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.00433  931.5  4.0334MeV
The negative Q-value of this reaction shows that the given reaction is
endothermic.

b) 126 C  126 C  10
20
Ne  24 He
We are given that,
Atomic mass of 126 C  12.0u

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 13

Atomic mass of 12 10 Ne  19.992439u

Atomic mass of 42 He  4.002603u

The Q-value here could be given as,
Q   2m  126 C   m  10
20
Ne   m  24 He  c2
 Q   2  12.0  19.992439  4.002603 c2   0.004958c2  u  0.004958  931.5
 Q  4.618377MeV
Since the Q-value is found to be positive, the reaction could be considered
exothermic.

16. Suppose, we think of fission of a 56 26 Fe nucleus into two equal fragments

of 13 Al 28 . Is the fission energetically possible? Argue by working out Q of

the process. Given: m  56
26 Fe   55.93494u and m  13 Al   27.98191u
28

Ans: We know that the fission of 56 26 Fe could be given as,

26 Fe  2 13 Al
56 28

56 28
We are also given, atomic masses of 26 Fe and 13 Al as
55.93494u and 27.98191u respectively.
The Q-value here would be given as,
Q   m  56
26 Fe   2m  13 Al   c
28
 2
 Q  55.93494  2  27.98191 c2   0.02888c2  u
But, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.02888  931.5  26.902MeV
The Q value is found to be negative and hence we could say that the fission is
not possible energetically. In order for a reaction to be energetically possible, the
Q-value must be positive.

17. The fission properties of 239 235

94 Pu are very similar to those of 92 U .The
average energy released per fission is 180MeV . How much energy, in MeV,
is released if all the atoms in 1kg of pure 239
94 Pu undergo fission?

Ans: We are given that the average energy released per fission of 239 94 Pu ,
Eav  180MeV
The amount of pure 94 Pu 239 , m  1kg  1000g
Avogadro number, N A  6.023  1023
Mass number of 239 94 Pu  239g

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 14

1 mole of 94Pu 239 contains Avogadro number of atoms.
 NA 
1g of 94 Pu 239 contains   m  atoms
 mass number 
 6.023  10 23

  1000   2.52  1024 atoms
 239 
Total energy released during the fission of 1kg of 239 94 Pu could be calculated as:

E  E av  2.52  1024  180  2.52  1024  4.536  1026 MeV

Therefore, 4.536  1026 MeV is released if all the atoms in 1kg of pure 94 Pu 239
undergo fission.

18. A 1000MW fission reactor consumes half of its fuel in 5.00 y. How much
235
92 U did it contain initially? Assume that the reactor operates 80% of the

time, that all the energy generated arises from the fission of 235 92 U and that
this nuclide is consumed only by the fission process.
Ans: We are said that the half life of the fuel of the fission reactor, t 1  5years
2
 t 1  5  365  24  60  60 s
2

We know that in the fission of 1g of 23592 U nucleus, the energy released is equal
to 200MeV.
92 U contains 6.023  10 atoms.
1 mole, i.e., 235g of 235 23

235 6.023  1023

1g of 92 U contains atoms
234
The total energy generated per gram of 235 92 U is calculated as:

6.023  1023 200  6.023  1023  1.6  1019  106

E  200MeV / g   8.20  1010 J / g
235 235
The reactor operator operates only 80% of the time. Therefore, the amount of
235
92 U consumed in 5years by the 1000MW fission reactor could be calculated as,

5  80  60  60  365  24  1000  106

g  1538kg
100  8.20  1010
92 U  2  1538  3076kg
So, the initial amount of 235
Hence, we found the initial amount of uranium to be 3076kg.

19. How long can an electric lamp of 100W be kept glowing by fusion of
2.0kg of deuterium? Take the fusion reaction as

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 15

2
1 H  21 H  23 He  n  3.27MeV
Ans: The fusion reaction is given to be:
1 H  1 H  2 He  n  3.27MeV
2 2 3

Amount of deuterium, m  2 kg
1 mole, i.e., 2 g of deuterium contains 6.023  1023 atoms .
6.023  1023
2.0 kg of deuterium contains  2000  6.023  1026 atoms atoms
2
It could be inferred from the given reaction that when two atoms of deuterium
fuse, 3.27MeV energy is released.
Therefore, the total energy per nucleus released in the fusion reaction would be:
3.27 3.27
E  6.023  1026 MeV   6.023  1026  1.6  1019  106
2 2
 E  1.576  10 J
14

Power of the electric lamp is given to be, P  100W  100J / s , that is, the energy
consumed by the lamp per second is 100J.
Now, the total time for which the electric lamp glows could be calculated as,
1.576  1014 1.576  1014
t 
100 100  60  60  24  365
 t  4.9  10 years
4

Hence, the total time for which the electric lamp glows is found to be
4.9  104 years.

20. Calculate the height of the potential barrier for a head on collision of
two deuterons. (Hint: The height of the potential barrier is given by the
Coulomb repulsion between the two deuterons when they just touch each
other. Assume that they can be taken as hard spheres of radius 2.0fm.)
Ans: When two deuterons collide head-on, the distance between their centres, d
could be given as:
Radius of 1st deuteron  Radius of 2nd deuteron
Radius of a deuteron nucleus  2fm  2  1015 m
 d  2  1015  2  1015  4  1015 m
Also, charge on a deuteron  Charge on an electron  e  1.6  1019 C
Potential energy of the two-deuteron system could be given by,
e2
V
40d
Where,  0 is the permittivity of free space.

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 16

 1
Also,  9  109 Nm 2C2
40
9  109  1.6  1019  9  109  1.6  1019 
2 2

V J eV
4  1015 4  1015  1.6  1019 
V  360keV
Therefore, we found the height of the potential barrier of the two-deuteron
system to be 360keV.
1
21. From the relation R  R 0 A , where R 0 is a constant and A is the mass
3

number of a nucleus, show that the nuclear matter density is nearly constant
(i.e., independent of A).
Ans: We know the expression for nuclear radius to be:
1
R  R 0A 3
Where, R 0 is a Constant and A is the mass number of the nucleus
Nuclear matter density would be,
Mass of the nucleus

Volume of the nucleus
Now, let m be the average mass of the nucleus, then, mass of the nucleus  mA
Nuclear density,
mA 3mA 3mA
  
4 3
R  1

3
4 R 0
3
A
3 4   0 
R A 3

 
3m
 
4R 03
Therefore, we found the nuclear matter density to be independent of A and it is
found to be nearly constant.

22. For the   (positron) emission from a nucleus, there is another

competing process known as electron capture (electron from an inner orbit,
say, the K− shell, is captured by the nucleus and a neutrino is emitted).
e  AZ X  ZA1Y  
Show that if   emission is energetically allowed, electron capture is
necessarily allowed but not vice−versa.
Ans: Let the amount of energy released during the electron capture process be
Q1 . The nuclear reaction could be written as:

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 17

e  AZ X  ZA1Y    Q1 …… (1)
Let the amount of energy released during the positron capture process be Q2 .
The nuclear reaction could be written as:

Z X  Z1Y  e    Q 2 …… (2)
A A

Let, m N  AZ X  be the nuclear mass of AZ X ,

m N  ZA1Y  be the nuclear mass of A
Z1 Y
m  AZ X  be the atomic mass of AZ X
m  ZA1Y  be the nuclear mass of A
Z1Y
me be the mass of an electron , c be the speed of light , then, the Q-value of the
electron capture reaction could be given as,
Q1   m N  AZ X   me  m N  ZA1Y  c2
 Q1   m  AZ X   Zme  me  m  ZA1Y    Z  1 me  c2
 Q1   m  AZ X   m  ZA1Y  c2 …… (3)
The Q-value of the positron capture reaction could be given as,
Q2   m N  AZ X   m N  ZA1Y   me  c2
 Q1   m  AZ X   Zme  m  ZA1Y    Z  1 me  me  c2
 Q1   m  AZ X   m  ZA1Y   2me  c2 …… (4)
It can be inferred that if Q2  0 , then; Also, if Q1  0 , it does not necessarily
mean that Q2  0 . In other words, we could say that if  emission is
energetically allowed, then the electron capture process is necessarily allowed,
but not vice-versa. This is so because the Q-value must be positive for an
energetically-allowed nuclear reaction.

23. In a periodic table the average atomic mass of magnesium is given as

24.312u . The average value is based on their relative natural abundance on
earth. The three isotopes and their masses are:
12 Mg  23.98504u  , 12 Mg  24.98584u  and 12 Mg  25.98259u 
24 25 26

The natural abundance of 12 Mg 24 is 78.99% by mass. Calculate the

abundances of other two isotopes.
Ans: We are given:
Average atomic mass of magnesium, m  24.312 u
12 Mg isotope, m1  23.98504 u
Mass of magnesium 24

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 18

Mass of magnesium 12 25
Mg isotope, m2  24.98584 u
Mass of magnesium 26 12 Mg isotope, m3  25.98259 u

Abundance of 12 Mg, 1  78.99%

24

Abundance of 12 25
Mg, 2  x%
Now, the abundance of 26 12 Mg , 3  100  x  78.99%   21.01  x  %

Also, we have the relation for the average atomic mass as:
m   m 22  m33
m 1 1
1  2  3
23.98504  78.99  24.98584  x  25.98259   21.01  x 
 24.312 
100
 0.99675x  9.2725255
 x  9.3%
And, 21.01  x  11.71%
25
Therefore, we found the abundance of 12 Mg to be 9.3% and that of 2612 Mg to be
11.71%.

24. The neutron separation energy is defined as the energy required to

remove a neutron from the nucleus. Obtain the neutron separation energies
41
of the nuclei 20 Ca and 27
13 Al from the following data:

m  40
20 Ca   39.962591u, m  20 Ca  =40.962278u, m  13 Al   25.986995u,
41 26

m  27
13 Al   26.981541u

Ans: For a neutron removal from 20 Ca 41 nucleus, the corresponding nuclear

reaction could be written as,
20 Ca  20 Ca  0 n
41 40 1

We are given:
m  40
20 Ca   39.962591u

m  20
41
Ca  =40.962278u
m  0 n1   1.008665u
Now, the mass defect for this reaction could be given by,
m  m  40
20 Ca    0 n   m  20 Ca 
1 41

 m  39.962591  1.008665  40.962278  0.008978u

But we know, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 m  0.008978  931.5MeV / c2
Now, we could calculate the energy required for the neutron removal by,

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 19

E  mc2
 E  0.008978  931.5  8.363007MeV
For the case of 27 13 Al , the neutron removal reaction could be written as,

13 Al  13 Al  0 n
27 26 1

We are given,
m  26
13 Al   25.986995u

m  27
13 Al   26.981541u

Now, the mass defect here could be given by,

m  m  26
13 Al   m  0 n   m  13 Al 
1 27

 m  25.986895  1.008665  26.981541  0.014019u

 m  0.014019  931.5MeV / c2
Therefore, the energy that is required for the removal of neutron would be,
E  mc2  0.014019  931.5
E  13.059MeV

 
25. A source contains two phosphorous radio nuclides 32
15 P  T1  14.3d  and
 2 
 
33
15P  T1  25.3d  Initially, 10% of the decays come from 33 15 P . How long
 2 
must one wait until 90% do so?
Ans: We are given:
 
15 P  T1  14.3d 
Half life of 32
 2 
 
33
Half life of 15 P  T1  25.3d 
 2 
Now, we know that nucleus decay is 10% of the total amount of decay.
Also, the source has initially 10% of 32 32
15 P nucleus and 90% of 15 P nucleus.

Suppose after t days, the source has 10% of 3215 P nucleus and 90% of 15 P
33

nucleus.
Initially we have:
Number of 15 33
P nucleus  N
Number of 32 15 P nucleus  9N
Finally:
Number of 15 33
P nucleus  9N'

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 20

Number of 32 15 P nucleus  N'

For 32
15 P nucleus, we could write the number ratio as:
t
N'  1  T1
  2
9N  2 
t
 N '  9N  2 14.3 ……. (1)
33
Now, for 15 P , we could write the number ratio as,
1
9N '  1  T '1
  2
N 2
t
 9N '  N  2  ……. (2)
25.3

We could now divide equation (1) by equation (2) to get,

 t t 
1   
 9 2  25.3 14.3 
9
 11t 
1  
 2  25.314.3 
81
11t
 log1  log81  log1
25.3  14.3
11t 0  1.908
 
25.3  14.3 0.301
25.3  14.3  1.908
t   208.5days
11 0.301
33
Therefore, we found that it would take about 208.5days for 90% decay of 15 P.

26. Under certain circumstances, a nucleus can decay by emitting a particle

more massive than an   particle. Consider the following decay processes:
88 Ra  82 Pb  6 C
223 209 14

88 Ra  86 Rn  2 He
223 219 4

Calculate the Q-values for these decays and determine that both are
energetically allowed.
Ans: Consider a 146 C emission nuclear reaction,
88 Ra  82 Pb  6 C
223 209 14

We know that:
88 Ra, m1  223.01850u
Mass of 223
Mass of 6 C, m3  14.00324u
14

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 21

Now, the Q-value of the reaction could be given as:
Q   m1  m2  m3  c2
 Q   223.01850  208.98107  14.00324  c 2   0.03419c 2  u
But we have, 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.03419  931.5
 Q  31.848MeV
Hence, the Q-value of the nuclear reaction is found to be 31.848 MeV. Since the
value is positive, the reaction is energetically allowed.
Now consider a 42 He emission nuclear reaction:
88 Ra  86 Rn  2 He
223 229 4

We know that:
Mass of 22388 Ra, m1  223.01850

Mass of 82 Rn, m 2  219.00948

219

Mass of 42 He, m3  4.00260

Q-value of this nuclear reaction could be given as:
Q   m1  m2  m3  c2
 Q   223.01850  219.00948  4.00260 c2
 Q   0.00642c2  u
 Q  0.00642  931.5  5.98MeV
Therefore, the Q-value of the second nuclear reaction is found to be 5.98MeV.
Since the value is positive, we could say that the reaction is energetically
allowed.

27. Consider the fission of 238

92 U by fast neutrons. In one fission event, no
neutrons are emitted and the final end products, after the beta decay of the
primary fragments, are 140 99
58 Ce and 44 Ru . Calculate Q for this fission
process. The relevant atomic and particle masses are:
m  238
92 U   238.05079u

m  140
58 Ce   139.90543u

m  99
44 Ru   98.90594u

Ans: We are given:

92 U , 10   particles decay from the parent nucleus. The
In the fission of 238
nuclear reaction can be written as:
92 U  0 n  58 Ce  44 Ru  10 1 e
238 1 140 99 0

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 22

It is also given that:
Mass of a nucleus of 238 92 U, m1  238.05079u

Mass of a nucleus of 140 58 Ce, m 2  139.90543u

Mass of nucleus of 44 Ru, m3  98.90594u ,

99

Mass of a neutron 01 n, m 4  1.008665u

Q-value of the above equation would be,
Q   m'  238
92 U   m  0 n   m'  58 Ce   m'  44 Ru   10m e  c
1 140 99
 2
Where, m'  Represents the corresponding atomic masses of the nuclei
m'  238
92 U   m1  92m e

m'  140
58 Ce   m 2  58m e

m '  99
44 Ru   m 3  44m e

m  01 n   m 4
Q   m1  92me  m4  m2  58me  m3  44me  10me  c2
 Q   m1  m4  m2  m3  c2   238.0507  1.008665  139.90543  98.90594 c2
 Q  0.247995c 2  u
But 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.247995  931.5 =231.007MeV
Therefore, the Q-value of the fission process is found to be 231.007MeV.

28. Consider the D−T reaction (deuterium−tritium fusion)

1 H  1 H  2 He  n
2 3 4

a) Calculate the energy released in MeV in this reaction from the data:
m  21 H   2.014102u , m  31 H   3.016049u
Ans: Consider the D-T nuclear reaction,
1 H  1 H  2 He  n
2 3 4

We are also given that:

Mass of 21 H, m1  2.014102u
Mass of 31 H, m 2  3.016049u
Mass of 42 He, m3  4.002603u
Mass of 01 n, m 4  1.008665u
Now, the Q-value of the given D-T reaction would be:
Q   m1  m2  m3  m4  c2

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 23

 Q   2.014102  3.016049  4.002603  1.008665 c2
 Q  0.018883c2  u
But 1u  931.5MeV / c2
 Q  0.018883  931.5  17.59MeV

b) Consider the radius of both deuterium and tritium to be approximately

2.0fm. What is the kinetic energy needed to overcome the coulomb
repulsion between the two nuclei? To what temperature must the gas be
heated to initiate the reaction? (Hint: Kinetic energy required for one
fusion event = average thermal kinetic energy available with the
 3kT 
interacting particles 2   ; k = Boltzmann’s constant, T = absolute
 2 
temperature.)
Ans: We are given:
Radius of deuterium and tritium, r  2.0fm  2  1015 m
Distance between the two nuclei at the moment when they touch each other,
d  r  r  4 1015 m
Charge on the deuterium nucleus  e
Charge on the tritium nucleus  e
Hence, the repulsive potential energy between the two nuclei could be given as:
e2
V
40d

Where, 0  Permittivity of free space

1
 9  109 Nm 2c 2
40
9  109  1.6  1019 
2
5.76  1014
V  5.76  1014 J 
4  1015 1,6  10 19
 V  3.6  105 eV  360keV
Therefore, 5.76  1014 J or 360keV of kinetic energy (KE) is needed to
overcome the coulomb repulsion between the two nuclei.
However, we are also given that:
3kT
KE  2 
2
Where, k  Boltzmann constant
T  Temperature required for triggering the reaction

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 24

 KE 5.76  1014
T   23
 1.39  109 K
3k 3  1.38  10
Therefore, we found that the gas must be heated to a temperature of 1.39  109 K
to initiate the reaction.

29. Obtain the maximum kinetic energy of   particles, and the radiation
frequencies of  decays in the decay scheme shown in figure. You are given
that:
m  198 Au   197.968233u
m  198 Hg   197.966760u

Ans: It can be observed from the given  -decay diagram that 1 decays from the
1.088MeV energy level to the 0MeV energy level. Hence, the energy
corresponding to 1 -decay is given as:
E1  1.088  8  1.088MeV
 h1  1.088  1.6  1019  106 J
Where, Planck's constant h  6.6  1034 Js
1  Frequency of radiation radiated by 1  decay
E
1  1
h
1.088  1.6  1019  106
 1  34
 2.637  1020 Hz
6.6  10

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 25

It can be observed from the given   decay diagram that  2 decays from the
0.412MeV energy level to the 0MeV energy level.
Now, the energy corresponding to  2 -decay could be given as:
E2  0.412  0  0.412MeV
 h 2  0.412  1.6  1019  106 J
Where,  2  Frequency of radiation radiated by  2  decay
E 2 0.412  1.6  1019  106
2   34
 9.988  1019 Hz
h 6.6  10
It can be observed from the given  -decay diagram that  3 -decays from the
1.088MeV energy level to the 0.412MeV energy level.
Now, the energy corresponding to  3 -decay is given as:
E3  1.088  0.412  0.676MeV
 h3  0.676  1019  106
Where, 3  Frequency of radiation radiated by  3  decay
E 3 0.676  1.6  1019  106
3   34
 1.639  1020 Hz
h 6.6  10
Mass of m  198
78 Au  =197.968233u

Mass of m  198
80 Hg   197.966760u

1u  931.5MeV / c2
Energy of the highest level could be given as:
E   m  198
78 Au   m  80 Hg    197.968233  197.966760  0.001473u
190

 E  0.001473  931.5  1.3720995MeV
1 decays from the 1.3720995MeV level to the 1.088MeV level
Maximum kinetic energy of the 1 particle  1.3720995  1.088
 K.E  0.2840995MeV
 2 decays from the 1.3720995MeV level to that of the 0.412MeV level. Now,
we find the maximum kinetic energy of the  2 particle to be,
K.Emax  1.3720995  0.412  0.9600995MeV
Therefore, we found the maximum kinetic energy of the  2 particle to be
0.9600995MeV .

30. Calculate and compare the energy released by

a) fusion of 1.0kg of hydrogen deep within Sun and
Ans: We are given:
Amount of hydrogen, m  1 kg  1000g

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 26

1 mole, i.e., 1g of hydrogen  H  contains 6.023 10
1
1
23
atoms .
That is, 1000g of 11 H contains 6.023  1023 atoms .
Within the sun, four 11 H nuclei combine and form one 4
2 He nucleus. In this
process 26MeV of energy is released.
Hence, the energy released from the fusion of 1 kg 11 H is:
6.023  1023  26  103
E1   39.1495  1026 MeV
4
Therefore, we found the energy released during the fusion of 1kg 11 H is:
6.023  1023  26  103
E1   39.1495  1026 MeV
4
1
Hence, the energy released during the fusion of 1kg of 1 H to be
39.1495  1026 MeV .

b) the fission of 1.0kg of 235 U in a fission reactor.

Ans: We are given:
Amount of 92 U 235  1000gm
92 U contains 6.023  10 atoms .
1 mole, i.e., 235g of 235 23

235 6.023  1023  1000

1000g of U contains
92 atoms
235
235
We know that the amount of energy released in the fission of one atom of 92 U
is 200MeV . Therefore, energy released from the fission of 1kg of 235
92 U is:

6  1023  1000  200

E2   5.106  1026 MeV
235
E1 39.1495  1026
  7.67  8
E2 5.106  1026
Hence, we found the energy released during the fusion of 1kg of hydrogen is
nearly 8 times the energy released during the fusion of 1kg of uranium.

31. Suppose India had a target of producing, by 2020 AD, 200,000 MW of

electric power, ten percent of which was to be obtained from nuclear power
plants. Suppose we are given that, on an average, the efficiency of utilization
(i.e., conversion to electric energy) of thermal energy produced in a reactor
was 25%. How much amount of fissionable uranium would our country
need per year by 2020? Take the heat energy per fission of 235 U to be about
200MeV .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 27

Ans: We are given the following:
Amount of electric power to be generated, P  2  105 MW , 10% of this amount
has to be obtained from nuclear power plants.
10
Amount of nuclear power, P1   2  105  2  104 MW
100
 P1  2  10  10 J / s  2  10  3600  24  365J / y
4 6 10

Heat energy released per fission of a 235 U nucleus, E  200 MeV

Efficiency of a reactor  25%
Hence, the amount of energy converted into the electrical energy per fission is
calculated as:
25
 200  50MeV  50  1.6  1019  106  8  1012 J
100
The number of atoms required for fission per year would be:
2  1010  60  60  24  365
12
 78840  1024 atoms
8  10
1 mole, i.e., 235g of U 235 contains 6.023  1023 atoms
That is, the mass of 6.023  1023 atoms of U 235  235g  235  103 kg
Also, the mass of:
235  103
78840  1024 atoms of U 235   78840  1024  3.076  10 4 kg
6.023  10 23

Hence, the mass of uranium needed per year is found to be, 3.076  104 kg .

Class XII Physics www.vedantu.com 28