DAY THIRTY THREE

Nuclei
Learning & Revision for the Day
u Concept of Nucleus u Mass Energy Relation u Nuclear Fission
u Radioactivity u Mass Defect and Binding Energy u Nuclear Fusion

Concept of Nucleus
In every atom, the positive charge and mass is densely concentrated at the centre of the
atom forming its nucleus. In nucleus, the number of protons is equal to the atomic number
of that element and the remaining particles to fulfil the mass number are the neutrons.

Composition of Nucleus
Nucleus consists of protons and neutrons. Electrons cannot exist inside the nucleus.
A proton is a positively charged particle having mass (m p) of 1.007276 u and charge
(+ e) = +1.602 × 10 –19 C.
For a neutral atom, Number of proton ( Z ) = Number of electron
This number is called the atomic number. A neutron is a neutral particle having mass
mn = 1.008665 u. The number of neutrons in the nucleus of an atom is called the neutron
number N. The sum of the number of protons and neutrons is called the mass number A.
Thus, A = N + Z .

Properties of Nucleus
Nuclear size
(a) Size of the nucleus is of the order of fermi (1 fermi = 10 −15 m ).
(b) The radius of the nucleus is given by R = R0 A1 /3 ,
where, R0 = 1.3 fermi and A is the mass number.

Volume
4
The volume of nucleus is V = π (R0 A1 /3 )3 , where, R0 = radius of the nucleus.
3

Density
Mass of nucleus Am p mp
(a) Density = = =
Volume of the nucleus 4 4
π (R0 A1 /3)3 πR03
3 3
where, m p = 1.6 × 10 −27 kg = mass of proton and R0 = 1.3 fermi.
(b) Density of nuclear matter is of the order of 1017 kg/m3 .
(c) Density of nuclear matter is independent of the mass number.
 dN dN
Isotopes, Isobars and Isotones Mathematically,
dt
∝ N or
dt
= − λN

Isotopes Here, λ is a proportionality constant, known as the decay

Isotopes of an element are nuclides having same atomic constant (or disintegration constant). Unit of λ is s–1 or day –1
number Z, but different mass number A (or different neutron or year –1, etc.
number N) is called isotopes. 11 H, 21H, 31H and 611 C, 612C, 614C, etc., It can be shown that number of nuclei present after time t is
are isotopes. given by
N = N 0 e − λt
Isobars
where, N 0 = number of nuclei present at time t = 0.
Nuclides having same mass number A, but different atomic
Again, number of nuclei decayed in time t will be
number Z are called isobars. In isobars number of protons Z
as well as number of neutrons N differ but total nucleon (or N − N 0 = N 0 [e − λt − 1]
mass) number A = N + Z is the same. 31 H, 32He and 614 C, 14
7 N are = number of daughter nuclei produced at time t .
isobars.

Isotones Half-Life Period (T1/2 )

It is the time in which, activity of the sample falls to one-half of
Nuclides with different atomic number Z and different mass
its initial value.
number A, but same neutron number are called isotones.
T N R
3 4 198 197
1 H, 2He and 80 Hg, 79 Au are examples of isotones. Thus, for t = , N = 0 and R = 0
2 2 2
l
The half-life period is related to decay constant λ as
Radioactivity T1 /2 =
0.693
λ
Radioactivity is the phenomenon of spontaneous emission of l
After n half-lives, the quantity of a radioactive substance left
radiations by heavier nucleus. Some naturally occurring
intact (undecayed) is given by
radioactive substances are uranium, thorium, polonium, t
n
radium, neptunium, etc. In fact, all elements having atomic  1  1 T
number Z > 82 are radioactive in nature. N = N 0   = N 0   1 /2
 2  2
Radiations emitted by radioactive substances are of three
types, namely (i) α-particles, (ii) β-particles and (iii) γ- rays.
l
α-particles are positively charged particles with charge
Mean Life Period ( τ )
q α = + 2 e and mass mα = 4m p. Thus, α-particles may be l
Mean life of a radioactive sample is the time, at which both
1
considered as helium nuclei (or doubly charged helium N and R have been reduced to or e −1 or 36.8% of their
ions). Ionising power of α-particles is maximum, but their e
1
penetrating power is minimum. initial values. It is found that τ = .
λ
l
β-particles are negatively charged particles with rest mass
as well as charge same as that of electrons. But origin of l
Half-life T1 /2 and mean life τ of a radioactive sample are
β-particles is from the nucleus. Their ionising power is correlated as, T1/2 = 0.693 τ or τ = 1.44T1/2 .
lesser than that of α-particles, but speed as well as
penetrating power is much greater than that of α-particles.
Generally, β-decay means β − - decay. Activity
l
γ-rays are electromagnetic radiations of extremely short The activity of a radioactive substance is defined as the rate of
wavelengths. Thus, γ-rays travel with the speed of light. disintegration (or the count rate) of that substance.
Their ionising power is least, but penetrating power is Mathematically, activity is defined as
extremely high. These are not deflected either in an dN
R=− = λN = λN 0 e − λt = R0 e − λt
electric or a magnetic field. dt
where, R0 = λN 0 = initial value of activity.
Law of Radioactive Decay Units of activity are
According to Rutherford-Soddy’s law for radioactive decay,
l
1 becquerel = Bq = 1 disintegration per second (SI unit)
‘The rate of decay of a radioactive material at any instant is l
1 curie = 1 Ci = 3 . 7 × 1010 Bq
proportional to the quantity of that material actually present
at that time.’
l
1 rutherford = 1 Rd = 10 6 Bq
 The shown figure show binding energy per nucleon versus
Mass Energy Relation
l

mass number. The nuclides showing binding energy per

In nuclear physics, mass is measured in unified atomic mass nucleon greater than 7.5 MeV/nucleon are stable.
units (u), 1 u being one-twelfth of the mass of carbon-12 atom
and equals 1.66 × 10–27 kg. It can readily be shown using NOTE • Nucleons attract each other when they are separated by a
E = mc2 that, 1 u mass has energy 931.5 MeV distance of 10 –14 m.
Thus, 1 u ≡ 931.5 MeV or c 2 = 931.5 MeV/u • The density of nucleus is of the order of 10 17 .

A unit of energy may therefore be considered to be a unit of

mass. For example, the electron has a rest mass of about Nuclear Fission
0.5 MeV.
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting of a heavy nucleus
If the principle of conservation of energy is to hold for nuclear
(235 239
92 U or 94 Pu) into two lighter nuclei of comparable
reactions it is clear that mass and energy must be regarded as
equivalent. The implication of E = mc2 is that any reaction masses along with the release of a large amount of energy
producing an appreciable mass decrease is a possible source − 200 MeV ) after bombardment by slow neutrons.
(~
of energy. A characteristic nuclear fission reaction equation for 235
92 U is
l
At the rest, mass energy of each of electron and positron, is 1
0 n(slow ) + 235
92 U → 236
92 U → 144
56Ba + 89
36 Kr + 3 10 n + Q
−31
E 0 = m0 c = 9.1 × 10
2
× (3 × 10 ) J = 0.51 MeV
82
In the fission of uranium, the percentage of mass converted
Therefore, an energy of atleast 1.02 MeV is needed for pair into energy is about 0.1% .
production.
Controlled Chain Reaction
Mass Defect and Binding Energy and Nuclear Reactor
The difference in mass of a nucleus and its constituent 235
l l
In the fission of one nucleus of 92 U, on an average,
nucleons is called the mass defect of that nucleus. Thus, 1
Mass defect, ∆M = Zm p + ( A − Z )mn − M 2 neutrons are released. These released neutrons may
2
where, M is the mass of a given nucleus.
further, trigger more fissions causing more neutrons being
l
Packing fraction of an atom is the difference between mass formed, which in turn may cause more fission. Thus, a self
of nucleus and its mass number per nucleon. Thus, sustained nuclear chain reaction is formed. To maintain
M−A
Packing fraction = . the nuclear chain reaction at a steady (sustained) level, the
A
extra neutrons produced, are absorbed by suitable neutron
l
The energy equivalent of the mass defect of a nucleus is absorbents like cadmium or boron.
called its binding energy. l
Neutrons formed as a result of fission have an energy of
Thus, binding energy, ∆Eb = ∆M c2
about 2 MeV, whereas for causing further fission, we need
= [Zm p + ( A − Z )mn − M ] c2 slow thermal neutrons having an energy of about 0.3 eV.
If masses are expressed in atomic mass units, then For this purpose, suitable material called a moderator is
∆Eb = ∆M × 931.5 MeV used, which slow down the neutrons. Water, heavy water
and graphite are commonly used as moderators.
= [Zm p + ( A − Z )mn − M ] × 931.5 MeV
l
A nuclear reactor is an arrangement in which nuclear
l
Binding energy per nucleon (∆E bn ) is the average energy
fission can be carried out through a sustained and a
needed to separate a nucleus into its individual nucleons. controlled chain reaction and can be employed for
∆Eb ∆M × 931 MeV producing electrical power, for producing different isotopes
Thus, ∆E bn = =
A A Nucleon and for various other uses.
10 nE
Power of a reactor, P = , where n = number of atoms
Building energy per nucleon (MeV)

l
32 56 100
16 S Fe Mo 12
12
O I t
C
8
18
O 184 undergone fission in time t seconds and E = energy
4 W 197
An 238
He 14 U released in each fission.
N
6
6
Li
4 Reproduction Factor
3
H Reproduction factor (k ) of a nuclear chain reaction is defined
2 as
2
H Rate of production of neutrons
0
k =
0 50 100 150 200 250 Rate of loss / Absorption of neutrons
Mass number (A)
l
If k = 1, then the chain reaction will be steady and the The mass of the single nucleus, so formed is less than the sum
reactor is said to be critical. of the masses of parent nuclei and this difference in mass,
l
If k > 1, then the chain reaction is accelerated and it may results in the release of tremendously large amount of energy.
cause explosion in the reactor. Such a reactor is called The fusion reaction going on in the central core of sun is a
super-critical. multistep process, but the net reaction is
l
If k < 1, then chain reaction gradually slows down and 4 11H + 2 ε – → 42He + 2 ν + 6γ + 26.7 MeV
comes to a halt. Such a reactor is called sub-critical. When two positively charged particles (protons or deuterons)
The reactors giving fresh nuclear fuel which often exceeds the combine to form a larger nucleus, the process is hindered by
nuclear fuel used is known as breeder reactor. the Coulombian repulsion between them.
To overcome the Coulombian repulsion, the charged particles
are to be given an energy of atleast 400 keV.
Nuclear Fusion For this, proton/deuterons must be heated to a temperature of
Nuclear fusion is the process, in which two or more light about 3 × 10 9 K. Nuclear fusion reaction is therefore, known as
nuclei combine to form a single large nucleus. thermo nuclear fusion reaction.

DAY PRACTICE SESSION 1

FOUNDATION QUESTIONS EXERCISE

1 Two nucleons are at a separation of 1 fm. The net force 6 A radioactive sample decays by two different processes.
between them is F1 if both are neutrons, F2 if both are Half-life for the first process is t1 and for the second
protons and F3 if one is a proton and the other is a process is t 2. The effective half-life is
neutron. t1 t 2
(a) t1 + t 2 (b) t1 − t 2 (c) (t1 + t 2 ) / 2 (d)
(a) F1 > F2 > F3 (b) F2 > F1 > F3 t1 + t 2
(c) F1 = F3 > F2 (d) F1 = F2 > F3
7 Half-life of a radioactive substance A is 4 days. The
2 A radioactive nucleus (initial mass number A and atomic probability that a nucleus will decay in two half-lives is
number Z ) emits 3 α-particles and 2 positrons. The ratio of 1 3 1
(a) (b) (c) (d) 1
number of neutrons to that of protons in the final nucleus 4 4 2
will be ª AIEEE 2010 8 The half-life of a radioactive substance is 20 min. The
A−Z −8 A− Z −4 approximate time interval ( t 2 − t1) between the time t 2
(a) (b)
Z −4 Z − 8 2 1
A − Z − 12 A− Z −4
when of it has decayed and time t1 when of it had
(c) (d) 3 3
Z −4 Z − 2 decayed is ª AIEEE 2011
3 The sequence of decay of a radioactive nucleus is (a) 14 min (b) 20 min (c) 28 min (d) 7 min
α β α α
N0 → N1 → N2 → N3 → N4. If nucleon 9 A sample of a radioactive element has a mass of 10 g at
number and atomic number of N2 are 176 and 71 an instant t = 0. The approximate mass of this element in
respectively, then what are their values for N4 and N0? the sample after two mean lives is
(a) 168, 67 and 180, 71 (b) 67, 168 and 180, 72 (a) 1.35 g (b) 2.50 g (c) 3.70 g (d) 6.30 g
(c) 180, 67 and 72, 180 (d) None of these 10 When uranium is bombarded with neutrons, it undergoes
4 A radioactive nucleus undergoes a series of decays fission. The fission reaction can be written as
according to the scheme 92 U
235
+ 0 n1 → 56 Ba 141 + 36 Kr 92 + 3X + Q (energy)
α β α γ where three particles names X are produced and energy
A → A1 → A2 → A3 → A4
Q is released. What is the name of the particle X ?
If the mass number and atomic number of A are 180 and ª JEE Main (Online) 2013
72 respectively, these numbers of A 4 are
(a) electron (b) α-particle (c) neutron (d) neutrino
(a) 172, 69 (b) 177, 69 (c) 171, 69 (d) 172, 68
11 On fission of one nucleus of U235, the amount of energy
5 If Nt1 = N0 e −λ t1 , then the number of atoms decayed obtained is 200 MeV. The power obtained in a reactor is
during the time interval from t1 and t 2 ( t1 > t 2 ), will be
1000 kW. Number of nuclei fissioned per second in the
(a) Nt 1 − Nt 2 = N 0 [e −λt 1 − e −λt 2 ] reactor is
(b) Nt 2 − Nt 1 = N 0 [e −λt 2 − e −λt 1 ]
(c) Nt 2 − Nt 1 = N 0 [ e −λt 2 − e λt 1 ] (a) 3.125 × 1016 (b) 6.25 × 1010
(c) 3.125 × 1032 (d) 6.25 × 1020
(d) None of the above
 12 If Mo is the mass of an oxygen isotope 8O17,M p and Mn 15 Statement I A certain radioactive substance has a
are the masses of a proton and a neutron, respectively the half-life period of 30 days. Its disintegration constant is
nuclear binding energy of the isotope is 0.0231 day −1.
(a) (Mo − 8M p )c 2 (b) (M o − 8 M p − 9Mn )c 2 Statement II Decay constant varies inversely as half-life.
(c) Mo c 2 (d) (Mo − 17Mn )c 2 16 Statement I Half-life of a certain radioactive element is
13 The binding energies per nucleon of Li 7and He 4 are 100 days. After 200 days, fraction left undecayed will be
5.6 MeV and 7.06 MeV respectively, then the energy of 50%.
the reaction Li 7 + p = 2 [ 2 He 4 ] will be N  1
n
Statement II =   , where symbols have usual
(a) 17.28 MeV (b) 39.2 MeV (c) 28.24 MeV (d) 1.46 MeV N 0  2
14 The below is a plot of binding energy per nucleon E b , meaning.
against the nuclear mass M; A, B, C, D, E, F correspond
17 Statement I In a decay, daughter nucleus shifts two
to different nuclei.
places to the left from the parent nucleus.
Statement II An alpha particle carries four units of mass.
C D
Eb B E 18 Statement I Energy is released in nuclear fission.
A F Statement II Total binding energy of the fission fragments
is larger than the total binding energy of the parent
M nucleus.
Consider four reactions ª [AIEEE 2010] 19 Statement I If half-life period and the mean-life of a
(i) A + B → C + ε (ii) C → A + B + ε radioactive element are denoted by T and Tm
(iii) D + E → F + ε and (iv) F → D + E + ε respectively, then T < Tm .
where ε is the energy released. In which reactions is ε 1
Statement II Mean-life =
positive? decay constant
(a) (i) and (iv) (b) (i) and (iii)
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (ii) and (iii)
20 Statement I Energy is released when heavy nuclei
undergo fission or light nuclei undergo fusion.
Direction (Q. Nos. 15-21) Each of these questions contains Statement II For heavy nuclei, binding energy for per
two statements : Statement I and Statement II. Each of these nucleon increases with increasing Z while for light nuclei.
questions also has four alternative choices, only one of which It decreases with increasing Z.
is the correct answer. You have to select one of the codes (a),
(b), (c) and (d) given below 21 Statement I A nucleus having energy E 1 decays by β −
(a) Statement I is true, Statement II is true; Statement II is emission to daughter nucleus having energy E 2, but β −
the correct explanation for Statement I rays are emitted with a continuous energy spectrum
(b) Statement I is true, Statement II is true; Statement II is having end point energy E 1 − E 2.
not the correct explanation for Statement I Statement II To conserve energy and momentum in
(c) Statement I is true; Statement II is false β-decay, atleast three particles must take part in the
(d) Statement I is false; Statement II is true transformation. ª AIEEE 2011

DAY PRACTICE SESSION 2

PROGRESSIVE QUESTIONS EXERCISE

−α −α to function for 10 yr, the total mass of uranium required is
1 Consider x → y → z , where half-lives of x and y are
(Avogadro’s number = 6.02 × 1026/K-mol,1 eV=1.6 × 10−19 J)
z year and one month. The ratio of atoms of x and y
(a) 3.84 × 104 kg (b) 9.28 × 106 kg
when transient equilibrium [T1/ 2( x ) > T1/ 2( y )] has been
(c) 3.84 × 108 kg (d) 9.28 × 104 kg
established is
(a) 1 : 22 (b) 1 : 26 (c) 26 : 1 (d) 23 : 1
3 The half-life of a radioactive sample is 10 h. The total
number of disintegration in 10th hour measured from a
2 In a nuclear reactor, U 235 undergoes fission liberating time when the activity was one Ci is
200 MeV of energy per fission. The reactor has 10%
. × 10−3
(a) 053 (b) 6.91 × 1013
efficiency and produces 1000 MW power. If the reactor is
(c) 2.63 × 10−3 (d) 9.91 × 1013
 4 A piece of wood from the ruins of an ancient building was calculate how much bigger that B must E be for such a
found to have a 14C activity of 12 disintegrations per process to happen?
minute per gram of its carbon content. The 14C activity of B2 B B2 3B
(a) (b) (c) (d)
the living wood is 16 disintegrations per minute per gram. 2 mc 2
2 mc 2
4 mc 2 4 mc 2
How long ago did the tree, from which the wooden
sample came, die? Given, half-life of 14C is 5760 yr ? 8 Assume that a neutron breaks into a proton and an
(a) 2391 yr (b) 2300 yr (c) 2250 yr (d) 2261 yr electron. The energy released during this process is
(mass of neutron = 1.6725 × 10−27 kg, mass of proton
5 A radioactive sample S1 having an activity of 5 µCi has
= 1.6725 × 10−27 kg, mass of electron = 9 × 10 −31 kg)
twice the number of nuclei as another sample S 2 which
ª AIEEE 2012
has an activity of 10 µCi. The half-lives of S1 and S 2 can be
(a) 0.9 MeV (b) 7.10 MeV (c) 6.30 MeV (d) 5.4 MeV
(a) 20 yr and 5 yr, respectively
(b) 20 yr and 10 yr, respectively 9 A radioactive nucleus A with a half-life T , decays into a
(c) 10 yr each nucleus B. At t = 0, there is no nucleus B. After sometime
(d) 5 yr each t, the ratio of the number of B to that of A is 0.3. Then, t is
6 The half-life period of a radioactive element X is same as given by ª JEE Main 2017 (Offline)
the mean life time of another radioactive element Y. log 13
.
(a) t = T (b) t = T log 13
.
Initially, they have the same number of atoms. Then, loge 2
(a) X will decay faster than Y T T loge 2
(c) t = (d) t =
(b) Y will decay faster than X log 13
. 2 log 13
.
(c) Y and X have same decay rate initially 10 Half-lives of two radioactive elements A and B are
(d) X and Y decay at same rate always 20 min and 40 min, respectively. Initially, the samples
7 Deuteron is a bound state of a neutron and a proton with have equal number of nuclei. After 80 min, the ratio of
a binding energy B = 2.2 MeV. A γ-ray of energy E is decayed numbers of A and B nuclei will be
aimed at a deuteron nucleus to try to break it into a ª JEE Main 2016 (Offline)
(neutron + proton) such that the n and p move in the (a) 1 : 16 (b) 4 : 1 (c) 1 : 4 (d) 5 : 4
direction of the incident γ-ray. Where E ≠ B. Then,

ANSWERS
1 (c) 2 (b) 3 (a) 4 (a) 5 (a) 6 (d) 7 (b) 8 (b) 9 (a) 10 (c)
SESSION 1
11 (a) 12 (b) 13 (a) 14 (a) 15 (a) 16 (c) 17 (b) 18 (a) 19 (b) 20 (c)
21 (a)

SESSION 2 1 (d) 2 (a) 3 (b) 4 (a) 5 (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 8 (a) 9 (a) 10 (d)

Hints and Explanations

SESSION 1 p + → n 0 + e + So, the ratio of number of neutrons to that
A−Z −4
1 Nuclear force of attraction between Number of neutrons initially was of protons =
Z −8
any two nucleons (n - n, p - p, p - n ) is A−Z
same. The difference comes up only 3 As mass number of each α-particle is 4
due to electrostatic force of repulsion Number of neutrons after decay is
units and its charge is 2 units, therefore for
between two protons. (A − Z)− 3 × 2
N4
∴ F1 = F3 ≠ F2 (due to α-particles) − 2 × 1
A = 176 − 8 = 168
As, F2 < F3 or F1 (due to positive β-decay) and Z = 71 − 4 = 67
∴ F1 = F3 > F2 As [3 × 2 (due to α-particles) + 2 Now, the charge of β is −1 and its mass
2 In positive β-decay a proton is (due to positive β-decay)] number is zero.
transformed into a neutron and a Hence, atomic number reduces by 8. So, A = 176 + 0 + 4 = 180
positron is emitted. and Z = 71 − 2 + 2 = 71
 4 As the mass number of each a-particle 13 The reaction is 3 Li7 + 1 p1 ¾® 2 (2 He 4 ) 21 In practicle situation, atleast three
is 4 units and its charge is 2 unit. \ E p = 2E (2 He 4 ) - E ( Li) particles take place in transformation, so
Therefore for A 4 , Energy of b-particle + Energy of third
= 2 (4 ´ 7.06) - 7 ´ 5.6
Mass number = 180 - 8 = 172 particle = E1 - E2
= 56.48 - 39.2 = 17.28 MeV
and Z = 72 - 4 + 1 (due to b - ) = 69 Hence, energy of b-particle £ E1 - E2
14 Both fusion and fission reaction results
5 Since, N t1 = N 0e -lt1 and N t2 = N 0e -lt2 into tremendous amount of energy SESSION 2
Then, the number of atoms decayed release and nucleus/nuclei which has
l1 N 1 - l1 t
during the time interval t 1 to t 2 is higher binding energy per nucleon than 1 N2 = (e - e - l2 t )
parent nuclei. So, option (a) is correct. l2 - l1
= N t1 - N t2 = N 0 [e -lt1 - e -lt2 ]
When (T1 /2 )1 > (T1 /2 )2 at transient
15 Half-life and decay constant for a
6 As, l = l1 + l2 equilibrium, l1 < l2
nuclear reaction are related by a - l1 t
relation, which is e - l2 t < < e
1 1 1 t2 + t1
Þ = + = 0.693 t
t t1 t2 t1 t2 T1 /2 = l1 N 1e - l1
\ N2 =
l l2 - l1
t1 t2 0.693 0.693
or t = Þ l= = = 0.0231 day -1 l1 N 1
t1 + t2 T1 /2 30 =
l2 - l1
7 After two half-lives 1/4 th fraction of 16 Number of half-lives N1 l - l1
\ = 2
nuclei will remain undecayed. Or, 3/4th t 200 N2 l1
fraction will decay. Hence, the n= = =2
T 100 0.693 0.693
probability that a nucleus decays in two -
The fraction left undecayed is given by 1 2 ´ 12 23
half-lives is 3 / 4 . n 2 = =
N æ1 ö æ1 ö 0.693 1
8 N 1 = N 0 - 1 N 0 = 2 N 0,
\ =ç ÷ =ç ÷
N 0 è2 ø è2 ø 2 ´ 12
3 3
2 1 1
N2 = N 0 - N 0 = N 0 = = 25% 2 Energy generated by the reactor
3 3 4
1000 ´ 106 W = 109 Js -1
n
N2 æ1 ö 17 On adecay, charge number of parent Total energy generated in 10 yr is
We have, =ç ÷
N1 è 2 ø nucleus decreases by 2 units. As E = (109 Js -1 ) ´ 10 ´ 365
Here, n = 1 classification or grouping of elements is ´ 24 ´ 60 ´ 60
based on charge number, hence
\ t 2 - t 1 = one half-life = 20 min = 1.97 ´ 1030 MeV
daughter nucleus shifts two places to
9 The relation of mean-life and decay the left from the parent nucleus. In the reactor 200 MeV energy is
constant is, liberated in the fission of nucleus of U235
2 1
18 According to concept of binding energy,
t = 2t = , where t = atom.
fission can occur because the total mass
l l energy will decrease; that is DEbn \ Total number of U235 atoms required is
Then we get from the equation, (binding energy) will increase. We see
m = m 0e -lt that for high mass nuclide ( A = 240), the 1.97 ´ 1030
= 0.985 ´ 1028
binding energy per nucleon is about 200
Þ m = 10 ´ e -l ´2/l = 10 ´ e -2
7.6 MeV/nucleon. For the middle weight 1 kmol that is 235 kg of U235 has
= 10 ´ 0135
. . g
= 135 nuclides ( A = 120), it is about 6.02 ´ 1026 atoms Therefore, total mass of
10 The fission of 235 8.5 MeV/nucleon. Thus, binding energy
92 U is represented by U235 having 0.985 ´ 1028 atoms is
235 1 141 92
of fission fragments is larger than the
92 U + 0 n ® 56 Ba + 36 Kr 235
total binding energy of the parent ´ (0.985 ´ 1028 )
+3 0 n1 + Q nucleus. 6.02 ´ 1026
The name of the particle X is neutron 19 We know that half-life period T and = 3.84 ´ 103 kg
( 0 n1 ). decay constant l are related by the Since, efficiency of reactor is 10%, actual
equation. mass of U235 required is
11 Power received from the reactor is 0.6931 100
P = 1000 kW T = …(i) (3.84 ´ 103 ) ´ = 3.84 ´ 104 kg
l 10
= 1000 ´ 1000 = 106 J s -1
While mean-life T m is related with l by
Also, 1 MeV = 1.6 ´ 10-13 J 3 As, - dN = lN ,
the equation dt
Number of nuclei fissioned per second 1 37. ´ 1010 ´ 3.6 ´ 104
Tm = …(ii) N =
106 l
= 0.693
200 ´ 1.6 ´ 10-13 From Eqs. (i) and (ii), we get DN = - (N 0 e - l ´ 10 ´ 3600
= 3.125 ´ 1016 s -1 T = 0.6931 T m - N 0 e - l ´ 9 ´ 3600 )
12 Binding energy or T < Tm
2
(Q DN = N 1 - N 2 )
BE = (M nucleus nucleons )c
-M 20 Here, Statement I is correct and . ´ 1014 ´ 3.6
37
= [0.535 - 0.5]
= (Mo - 8 M p - 9 M n )c 2 Statement II is wrong, which can be 0.693
directly concluded from binding energy = 6.91 ´ 1013

nucleon curve.
4 Given, R = 12 dis/min per g, From conservation of momentum, 9 Decay scheme is ,
E
R 0 = 16 dis/min per g pn + p p = …(ii) N atoms
c
of B
T1 /2 = 5760 yr As E = B , Eq. (i), p2n + p2p = 0
Let t be the time span of the tree. It only happen if p n = p p = 0 A A, B
According to radioactive decay law, So, the Eq. (ii) cannot satisfy and the Let N atoms decays
R process cannot take place. into B in time t
R = R 0e - l t or e l t = 0 No No – N
R Let E = B + X , where X << B for the at t=0 atoms of A
Taking log on both the sides process to take place. NB 3
R Put value of p n from Eq. (ii) in Given, = 03
. =
lt log e e = log e 0 NA 10
R Eq. (i), we get
16 ö 2
NB 30
æ æE Þ =
lt = ç log 10 ÷ ´ 2.303 ö N A 100
è 12 ø ç - p p÷ p2p
èc ø
2.303 (log 4 - log 3) X = + So, N 0 = 100 + 30 = 130 atoms
t = 2m 2m
l By using N = N 0 e - lt
2 2 Ep p E 2
= 2391.20 yr » 2391 yr or 2 p p - + 2 - 2mX = 0 We have, 100 = 130e - lt
c c
1
5 We know that, Using the formula of quadratic Þ = e - lt
Activity ( A ) = lN 0 equation, we get 13.
For S 1 , A s1 = 5m Ci = l1 2 N 0 …(i) Þ log 13 . = lt
2E 4 E2 æ E2 ö If T is half-life, then
For S 2 , A s2 = 10m Ci = l2 N 0 …(ii) + - 8 ç 2 - 2m X ÷
c c2 èc ø log e 2
As we know, pp = l=
0.693 4 T
T s1 1 /2 = log e 2
l1 For the real value p p¢ the discriminant Þ log 13
. = ×t
is positive T
0.693
and T s2 1 /2 = 4 E2 æE ö T × log (13 . )
l2 = 8 ç 2 - 2mX ÷ \ t =
c2 è c2 ø log e 2
Therefore, by dividing Eqs. (i)
and (ii), we get 4 E2 10 Given, 80 min = 4 half-lives of A = 2
16 m X =
5 T s2 1 /2 2N 0 c2 half-lives of B.
=
10 T s1 1 /2 N 0 E2 B2 Let the initial number of nuclei in each
X = • 4 mc sample be N.
T s2 1 /2 4 mc 2 2
Þ =4 For radioactive element A,
T s1 1 /2 8 According to given data, mass of N
N A after 80 min = 4
So, only option (a) can be satisfied. neutron and proton are equal which do 2
not permit the breaking up of neutron Þ Number of A nuclides decayed
6 According to question,
and proton. But if we take standard N 15
T1 /2 ( X ) = t (l ) =N - = N
mass of neutron as 1.6750 ´ 10-27 kg, 16 16
0.693 1 For radioactive element B,
Þ = then
lX lY N
Energy released = mass defect ´ c 2 N B after 80 min = 2
lX 2
or lY =
0.693 = (m n - m p - me ) ´ c 2 Þ Number of B nuclides decayed
Þ lY > l X N 3
(1.6750 ´ 10-27 - 1.6725 ´ 10-27 =N - = N
So, Y will decay faster than X. 4 4
- 9 ´ 10-31 )
= \ Ratio of decayed numbers of A and B
7 Binding energy B = 2.2 MeV 1.66 ´ 10-27
nuclei will be
From the energy conservation law, ´ 931.5 MeV (15/ 16)N 5
p2 p2p » 0.9 MeV
=
E - B = Kn + K p = n + …(i) (3 / 4)N 4
2m 2m