Section A

Question No. 1 to5 are based on the given text. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: (5]
When subatomic particles undergo reactions, energy is conserved, but mass is not necessarily conserved. However, a
particle's mass "contributes" to its total energy, in accordance with Einstein's famous equation, E = m c. In this
equation, E denotes the energy carried by a particle because of its mass. The particle can also have additional energy
due to its motion and its interactions with other particles. Consider a neutron at rest and well separated from other
particles. It decays into a proton, an electron and an undetected third particle as given here : Neutron ’ proton +
electron + ???

The given table summarizes some data from a single neutron decay. Electron volt is a unit of energy. Column 2 shows
the rest mass of the particle times the speed of light squared.
Particle Mass X c (MeV) Kinetic energy (MeV)
Neutron 940.97 0.00

Proton 939.67 0.01

Electron 0.51 0.39

1. From the given table, which properties of the undetected third particle can be calculate?
a) Kinetic energy, but not total energy b) Both total energy and kinetic energy
c) Total energy, but not kinetic energy d) Neither total energy nor kinetic energy
2. Assuming the table contains no majorerrOrs, what can we conclude about the (mass x c) of the undetected third
particle?

a) It is 0.39 MeV b) It is less than or equal to 0.79 MeV; but we

cannot be more precise.
c) It is less than or equal to 0.40 MeV; but we d) It is 0.79 MeV
cannot be more precise.
3. Could this reaction occur?
Proton ’ neutron + other particles
i. Yes, if the other particles have much more kineticenergy than mass energy.
ii. Yes, but only if the proton has potential energy (due to interactions with other particles).
iii. No, because a neutron is more massive than a proton.
iv. No, because a proton is positively charged while a neutron iselectrically neutral.
a) Option () b) Option ()

1/7
 c) Option (ii) d) Option (iv)
4. How much mass has to be converted into energy to produce electric power of 500 MW for one hour?

a) 4 x 1o kg b) 2 x 1o5 kg
c) 1 x 10-5 kg d)3 x 1o-5 kg
5. The equivalent energy of1gof substance is

a) 3 x 1013 J b) 6 x 1o12 J
c) 6 x 1013 J d) 9 x 1o13 J
Question No. 6 to 10 are based on the given text. Read the text carefully and answer the questions: I5]
In the year 1939, German scientists Otto Hahn and Strassmann discovered that when a uranium isotope was bombarded
with a neutron, it breaks into two intermediate-mass fragments. It was observed that the sum of the masses of new
fragments formed was less than the mass of the original nuclei. This difference in the mass appeared as the energy
released in the process. Thus, the phenomenon of splitting of a heavy nucleus (usually A>230) into two or lighter nuclei
by the bombardment of a proton, neutron, a-particle, etc with the liberation of energy is called nuclear fission.
92 U235 +on'
92U36 56Bal44
+ 36Kr + 3 ' + Q
Unstable nucleus

6. Nuclear fission can be explained on the basis of

a) Liquid drop model b) Shell model

c) Bohr's model. d) Millikan's oil drop method
7. For sustaining the nuclear fission chain reaction in a sample (of small size)of 92 U,it is desirable to slow down fast
neutrons by

a) absorption b) friction

c) overabsorption d) elastic damping/scattering

8. Which of the following is/are fission reaction(s)?
I +U’ U ’ ®gb+Nb +4n
II. A2+U
92 ’ 0 Xe +Sr + 2n
II. H+{H’}He +bn
a) Both IIand III b) Both Iand III
c) BothIand II d) Only II
9. On average, the number of neutrons and the energy of a neutron released per fission of a uranium a are respectively

a) 2 and 2 keV b) 3and1 keV

c) 2.5 and 2 M d) 2.5 and 2 keV
10. In any fission process, a ratio of the mass of the daughter nucleus to the mass of the parent nucleus is

a) equal to 1 b) depends on the mass of the parent nucleus.

c) greater than 1 d) less than 1
SectionB
11. The mass of a-particle is [1]
A. less than the sum of masses of two protons and two neutrons.
 B. equal to mass of four protons
C. equal to mass of four neutrons
D. equal to sum of masses of two protons and two neutrons.

a) (A) b) (C)
c) (B) d) (D)
12. When twO nuclei (with A = 8) join to form a heavier nucleus, the binding energy (B.E.) per nucleon of the [1]
heavier nuclei is

a) more than the B.E. per nucleon of the lighter b) same as the B.E. per nucleon of the lighter
nuclei nuclei

c) less than the B.E. per nucleon of the lighter d) double the B.E. per nucleon of the lighter
nuclei nuclei.

13. The dependence of binding energy per nucleon, BN on the mass number, A is represented by [1]

a) B, b) B

A=124
A A=96
c)

A=96 A A=56
A
14. In a nuclear reaction which of the following is conserved? [1]

a) Sum of mass and energy b)All of these

c) Charge d) Momentum
15. The binding energies per nucleon for deuteron and an a-particle are x and x, respectively. The energy Q [1]
released in the reaction
H,+'HË ’ He+Qis
a) 4(x2 - x1) b) 2(x1 + x)

c) 2(x2 - X) d) 4(x1 + x2)

16. The origin of nuclear force is ascribed to the exchange of the following particle between a pair of nucleons [1]

a) electron b) mu-meson

c) T-meson d) photon
17. For a nucleus to be stable, the correct relation between neutron number N and Proton number Z is (where [1]
Z>>1)
a) N>Z b) N< Z
c) N= Z d) N> Z
Section C
18. Assertion (A): The nucleus X is more stable than the nucleus X. [1]
 Reason (R):X contains more number of protons.
a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R)are true,
and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of but Reason (R) is not the correct
the Assertion (A). explanation of the Assertion (A).
c) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is d) Assertion (A) is false and Reason (R) is also
false. false.

19. Assertion (A): Density of all the nuclei is same. [1]

Reason (R): Radius of nucleus is directly proportional to the cube root of mass number.

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct b)Both A and R are true but R is not the
explanation of A. correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false. d) A isfalse but R is true.
20. Assertion (A): Mass is not conserved, but mass and energy are conserved as a single entity called mass-energy. (1]
Reason (R): Mass and energy are inter-convertible in accordance with Einstein's relation.

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct b) BothA and R are true but is not the

explanation of A. correct explanation of A.

c) A is true but R is false. d) A is false but R is true.

21. Assertion (A): Unlike electric forces and gravitational forces, nuclear force has limited range. [1]
Reason (R): Nuclear force do not obey inverse square law.
a) BothA and Rare true and R is the correct b) Both A and R are true but R is not the
explanation of A. correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false. d) A is false but R is true.
22. Assertion (A): Forces acting between proton-proton (pp) proton-neutron (fpn) and neutron-neutron (En)are [1]
such that fpp <fpn fnm
Reason (R): Electrostatic force of repulsion between two protons reduces net nuclear forces between them.

a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct b) Both A and R are true but R is not the
explanation of A. correct explanation of A.

c)A is true but R is false. d) A is false but R is true.

23. Assertion (A): The ratio of time taken for light emission from an atom to that for release of nuclear energy in [1]
fission is 1: 100
Reason (R): Time taken of the light emission from an atom is of the order of 10- s.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct b)Both A and R are true but R is not the
explanation of A. correct explanation of A.
c) A is true but R is false. d) A is false but R is true.
Section D

24. The value of one unified atomicmass unit is 1.66 × 10Z kg. Calculate the mass of one atom of 12C in a [1]
kilogram.
25. What is the ratioof the nuclear densities of two nuclei having mass numbers in the ratio 1: 4? [1]
26. Calculate the binding energy per nucleon of 33 C1 nucleus. Given that: [1]
 mass ofCl=34.980000 u,
mass of proton = 1.007825 u,
mass of neutron=1.008665 u and
1 atomic mass unit (1 u) = 931 MeV
27. A heavy nucleus X of mass number 240and binding energy per nucleon 7.6 MeV is splitted into two fragments [1]
Y and Z of mass numbers 110 and 130. The binding energy of nucleons in Y and Z is 8.5 MeV per nucleon.
Calculate the energy released per fission in MeV.
28. The three stable isotopes of neon: Ne, Ne and Ne have respective abundances of 90.51%, 0.27% and [2]
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.

29. Find nuclear mass density of 92

238U. Given Ro = 1.5 fermi and mass of each nucleon = 1.67 × 1027 kg. (2]

30. A given coin has a mass of 3.0 g. Calculate the nuclear energy that would be required to separate all the neutrons [2]
and protons from each other. For simplicity assume that the coin is entirely made of Cu atoms (of mass
62.92960 u)
31. Define electron volt and atomic mass unit. Calculate the energy in joule equivalent to the mass of one proton. (2]
32. A nucleus with A= 235 splits into two nucleiwhose mass numbers are in the ratio 2:1. IfRo = 1.4 fm, find the [2]
radii of the new nuclei.
33. Calculate the disintegration energy Q for the fission of Mointo two equal fragments, Sc. If Q turns out to [21
be positive, explain why this process does not occur spontaneously. Given that:
98
m Mo = 97.90541 amu
42
49
Sc 48.95002 amu
21
m, = 1.00867 amu.
34. A star converts all its hydrogen to helium, achieving 100% helium composition. It then converts the helium to (2]
carbon viathe reaction ;He+He + sHe’6C12 +7. 27 MeV. The mass of the star is 5 -0 x 10* kg and it

generates energy at the rate of 5 x 10 watt. How long will it take to convert all the helium to carbon at this
rate?

35. The radionuclide C decays according to C B +e+v:T2 -20.3 min. The maximum energy of the [3]

emitted positron is 0.960 MeV. Given the mass values: m (C) = 11.011434 u and m (B)= 11.009305 u,
calculate Q and compare it with the maximum energy of the positron emitted.
36. The nucleusY, initially at rest, decays into Xby emitting an a-particle (31
235 y 231 X+3He + energy
92

The binding energies per nucleon of the parent nucleus,the daughter nucleus and a-particle are 7.8 MeV, 7.835
MeV and 7.07 MeV, respectively. Assuming the daughter nucleus to be formed in the unexcited state and
neglecting its share in the energy of the reaction, find the speed of the emitted a-particle. (Mass of a-particle =
6.68 × 102/ kg).
37. a. Differentiate between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. (3]
b. Deuterium undergoes fusion as per the reaction:
{H+}H}He + n+ 3.27MeV
Find the duration for which an electric bulb of 500 W can be kept glowing by the fusion of 100 g of
deuterium.
 Section E
38. What is nuclear energy? [1]
39. Name three nuclei that lie on the maxima of the binding energy curve. [1]
40. State three properties of nuclear forces. [1]
41. Complete the following nuclear reactions: [1]
i.B+n He +
94 95
ii. 42 Mo + H BTet.....
42. Define atomic mass unit and electron volt. Derive the relation between them. [2]
43. Draw a plot of binding energy per nucleon (BE/A)versus mass number (A) for a large number of nuclei Iying [2]
between 2 <A <240. Using this graph, explain clearly how the energy is released in both the process of nuclear
fission and fusion?
Section F
44. When subatomic particles undergo reactions, energy is conserved, but mass is not necessarily conserved. [4]
However, a particle's mass "contributes" to its total energy, in accordance with Einstein's famous equation, E =
[Link] this equation, E denotes the energy carried by a particle because of its mass. The particle can also have
additional energy due to its motion and its interactions with other particles. Consider a neutron at rest and well
separated from other particles. It decays into a proton, an electron and an undetected third particle as given here :
Neutron ’ proton + electron + ???
The given table summarizes some data from a single neutron decay. Electron volt is a unit of energy. Column 2
shows the rest mass of the particle times the speed of light squared.
Particle Mass x (MeV) Kinetic energy (MeV)
Neutron 940.97 0.00

Proton 939.67 0.01

Electron 0.51 0.39

i. Which properties of the undetected third particle can be calculated from the given table?
ii. What is the mass of the proton?
iii. What is mass of neutron?

iv. How much mass has to be converted into energy to produce electric power of 500 MW for one hour?
v. What is the equivalent energy of 1g of substance?