TEN YEARS BOARD PROBLEMS

CBSE 2018

1. Four nuclei of an element undergo fusion to form a heavier nucleus, with release of energy.
Which of the two -- the parent or the daughter nucleus -- would have higher binding energy per
nucleon ? (1)
2. (a) State Bohr’s postulate to define stable orbits in hydrogen atom. How does de Broglie’s hypothesis
explain the stability of these orbits ?
(b) A hydrogen atom initially in the ground state absorbs a photon which excites it to the n = 4 level.
Estimate the frequency of the photon. (3)
3. (a) Explain the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion by using the plot of binding energy per
nucleon (BE/A) versus the mass number A.
(b) A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 10 years. How long will it take for the activity to reduce to
3·125% ? (3)

CBSE 2017
1. A 12.5 eV electron beam is used to excite a gaseous hydrogen atom at room temperature. Determine the
wavelengths and the corresponding series of the lines emitted. (2)
2. Asha's mother read an article in the newspaper about a disaster that took place at Chernobyl. She could
not understand much from the article and asked a few questions from Asha regarding the article. Asha
tried to answer her mother's questions based on what she learnt in Class XII Physics (4)
(a) What was the installation at Chernobyl where the disaster took place ? What, according to you, was
the cause of this disaster ?
(b) Explain the process of release of energy in the installation at Chernobyl.
(c) What according to you, were the values displayed by Asha and her mother ?
Solution
(a) "Oh April 1986, the world's worst nuclear accident happened at the chernobyl. Plant near pripyat ukrain
in the soviet union. An explosion and fire in the No. 4 reactor sent radioactivity into the atmosphere
(b) the value displayed by the Asha is that she is caring and having helping nature towards here mother. the
value displayed by Asha's mother is that she has no idea the out burst take place in chemobyl (ukrain)
but she has the curiosity about the incident that take place on April 26, 1986, at the chernobyl plant near
Priyat, Ukrain, in the soviyat union.

CBSE 2016
1. When is Hα line in the emission spectrum of hydrogen atom obtained ? Calculate the frequency of the
photon emitted during this transition. [2]
OR
Calculate the wavelength of radiation emitted when electron in a hydrogen atom jumps from
n = ∞ to n = 1. (2)
2. (a) Derive the mathematical expression for law of radioactive decay for a sample of a radioactive nucleus.
(b) How is the mean life of a given radioactive nucleus related to the decay constant ? (3)

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 CBSE 2015
1. When the electron orbiting in hydrogen atom in its ground state moves to the third excited state, show how
the de Broglie wavelength associated with it would be affected. (2)
2. Determine the distance of closest approach when an alpha particle of kinetic energy 4·5 MeV strikes a
nucleus of Z = 80, stops and reverses its direction. (2)
3. (a) The figure shows the plot of binding energy (BE) per nucleon as a function of mass number A. The
letters A, B, C, D and E represent the positions of typical nuclei on the curve. Point out, giving reasons, the
two processes (in terms of A, B, C, D and E), one of which can occur due to nuclear fission and the other due
to nuclear fusion. (3)

(b) Identify the nature of the radioactive radiations emitted in each step of the decay process given
below.

CBSE 2014
1. Why is it found experimentally difficult to detect neutrinos in nuclear -decay? (1)
2. Using Rutherford model of the atom, derive the expression for the total energy of the electron in hydrogen
atom. What is the significance of total negative energy possessed by the electron? (2)
OR
Using Bohr’s postulates of the atomic model, derive the expression for radius of electron orbit.
Hence obtain the expression for Bohr’s radius.
3. For the past some time, Aarti had been observing some erratic body movement, unsteadiness and lack of
coordination in the activities of her sister Radha, who also used to complain of severe headache
occasionally. Aarti thoroughly examined Radha and diagnosed that she has a brain tumour.
(a) What, according to you, are the values displayed by Aarti?
(b) How can radioisotopes help a docyor to diagnose brain tumour? (4)

CBSE 2013
1. Define the activity of a given radioactive substance. Write its S.I. unit. (2)
2. Using Bohr’s postulates, derive the expression for the frequency of radiation emitted when electron in
hydrogen atom undergoes transition from higher energy state to the lower state,

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 When electron in hydrogen atom jumps from energy state identify the spectral series
to which the emission lines belong. (5)
OR
(a) Draw the plot of blinding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number A. Write two
important conclusions that can be drawn regarding the nature of nuclear force.
(b) Use this graph to explain the release of energy in both the processes of nuclear fusion and fission.
(c) Write the basic nuclear process of neutron undergoing . Why is the detection of neutrinos
found very difficult ? (5)

CBSE 2012
1. Draw a plot of potential energy per of nucleon as a function their separations. Mark the regions where the
nuclear force is (i) attractive and (ii) repulsive. Write any two characteristic features of nuclear forces. (3)
2. In a Geiger-Marsden experiment, calculate the distance of closest approach to the nucleus of ,
when an -particle of energy impinges on it before it comes momentarily to rest and reverse its
direction. How will the distance of closest approach be affected when the kinetic energy of the -particle is
doubled? (3)
OR
The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is – 13.6 . If electron makes a transition from an energy
level- 0.85 to -3.4 , calculate the wavelength of the spectral line emitted. To which series of
hydrogen spectrum does this wavelength belong? (3)

CBSE 2011
1. Write any two characteristic properties of nuclear force. (1)
2. (a) Using de Broglie’s hypothesis, explain with the help of a suitable diagram, Bohr’s second postulate of
quantization of energy levels in a hydrogen atom.
(b)The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is -13.6 . What are the potential energies of the electron
in this state ? (3)
CBSE 2010
1. Define ionization energy. What is its value for a hydrogen atom? (1)
2. Draw a plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Write two important
conclusions which you can draw regarding the nature of nuclear forces. (2)
OR
Draw a plot of the binding energy per nucleon as a function of mass number for a large number of
nuclei, . How do you explain the constancy of binding energy per nucleon in the range
using the property that nuclear force is short-ranged? (2)

3. (a) Write symbolically the , decay process of . (3)

(b) Derive an expression for the average life of a radionuclide. Give its relationship with the half-life.

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 CBSE 2009
1. Tow nuclei have mass numbers in the ratio . What is the ratio of their nuclear radii? (1)
2. (a) The mass of a nucleus in its ground state is always less than the total mass of its constituents – neutrons
and protons. Explain.
(b) Plot a graph showing the variation of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their
separation. (2)
3. Draw a schematic arrangement of the Geiger – Marsden experiment. How did the scattering of -particles
by a thin foil of gold provide and important way to determine an upper limit on the size of the nucleus?
Explain briefly. (3)