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NuclearTutorial 1

This tutorial sheet outlines various problems related to experimental techniques in nuclear science, focusing on radioactive decay processes, half-lives, and the behavior of isotopes. It includes calculations for decay constants, remaining substance after decay, and the differences between relativistic and non-relativistic physics. The document emphasizes the principles of nuclear stability, decay series, and the physical significance of decay phenomena.

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2 views1 page

NuclearTutorial 1

This tutorial sheet outlines various problems related to experimental techniques in nuclear science, focusing on radioactive decay processes, half-lives, and the behavior of isotopes. It includes calculations for decay constants, remaining substance after decay, and the differences between relativistic and non-relativistic physics. The document emphasizes the principles of nuclear stability, decay series, and the physical significance of decay phenomena.

Uploaded by

sagrawal07005
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Tutorial Sheet–1

Course: Experimental Techniques in Nuclear Science


Date: 2 January 2026

1. The isotope 238


92 U successively undergoes eight α-decays and six β-decays. Determine the
resulting isotope and explain why an α-decay changes both the mass number and atomic
number of a nucleus, whereas a β-decay changes only the atomic number.

2. The thorium decay series begins with 232 208


90 Th and ends with 82 Pb. Calculate the total
number of α-decays and β-decays occurring in the series and explain why all natural
radioactive decay series terminate at a stable lead isotope.

3. Calculate the radioactive decay constant of an element whose half-life period is 20 years
and explain the physical signicance of the decay constant and why it is independent of
the initial number of radioactive nuclei.

4. A radioactive substance has a decay constant λ = 428 × 10−4 year−1 . Determine its half-
life and mean-life and explain why the mean-life of a radioactive nucleus is always greater
than its half-life.

5. Ten milligrams of a radioactive substance with a half-life of 2 years is stored for 4 years.
Calculate the amount of the substance remaining unchanged and explain why radioactive
decay follows an exponential law rather than a linear decrease with time.

6. The half-life of a radioactive nucleus is 25 days. Determine the percentage of the original
substance that will have disintegrated in 75 days and explain whether this percentage
depends on the initial quantity of the substance.

7. The half-life of radon is 382 days. Calculate the fraction of a freshly separated sample
that disintegrates in one day and, if the sample initially contains 271 × 1015 atoms,
determine the number of atoms that disintegrate during the rst day. Also explain why
the Rutherford–Soddy law applies only to a large collection of nuclei and not to a single
radioactive nucleus.

8. Explain why an electron cannot exist inside the atomic nucleus. Assuming an electron
is conned within a nucleus of radius R = 10 × 10−15 m, estimate its minimum mo-
mentum and kinetic energy using the uncertainty principle, and comment on whether
a non-relativistic or relativistic treatment is appropriate. Hence, justify physically why
electrons are not constituents of the nucleus.

9. Distinguish between relativistic and non-relativistic expressions for momentum and kinetic
energy of a particle. Calculate the kinetic energy and momentum of an electron moving
with speed v = 08c using (i) non-relativistic formulas and (ii) relativistic formulas, and
compare the numerical values. From this comparison, explain why relativistic corrections
become essential at high velocities.

10. Explain why a β-particle can be emitted from the nucleus even though an electron cannot
exist inside the nucleus. Discuss the origin of the β-particle in terms of the weak interaction
and explain how the continuous β-energy spectrum supports this interpretation.

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