Atomic Nucleus

Solutions Level 3
1. The number of atoms in 235 g of Uranium = 6.02  1023
Number of atoms in 2 kg (or 2000 g) of Uranium
6.02  10 23
n  2000
235
Energy released by these n-atoms in 30 days,
6.02  10 23  2000  185 6.02  10 23  2000  185  1.6  10 13
 MeV  J
235 235
= 15.165  1013 J  Power output = Energy released per second
15.165  10 13
  5.85  10 7 J / s = 58.5 MW
30  24  60  60
2
2. 1H  1 H2  2 He 4  E ( energy) Mass defect n = 2  2.0141 – 4.0026 = 0.0256 amu
= 0.0256  931 Mev = 23.833 MeV
Since the efficiency of the reaction is 25%, therefore usable energy
25
  23.833  5.9584 MeV / reaction
100
= 5.9584  106  1.6  10-19 J/reaction = 9.5334  10-12 J/reaction
Now, energy obtained per day
= (200 MW)  24  60  60 s = 200  106  24  60  60 J
= 1.728  1013 J
Mass of deuterium fuel needed per reaction
4.0282
= 2  2.0141 = 4.0282 amu  23
g  0.67  10 23 g
6.02  10
Thus, 9.5334  10-13 J energy is obtained from 0.67  10-23 g
Therefore, 1.728  1013 J energy is obtained from
0.67  10 23
 13
 1.728  1013 g = 0.1214  103 g = 121.4 gm
9.5334  10
A
3. The given nuclear reaction is 92 X  Z Y 228  2 He 4

From the principle of conservation of charge number 92 = Z + 2 or Z = 90

and from the principle of conservation of mass number A = 228 + 4 = 232
4. Let the number of -particles (2He4) emitted be m and the number of -particles (-10) be n.
The conservation of mass number (A) gives,
238 – 4m = 206  m=8
and the conservation of charge number (Z) gives,
92 – 2m – (- 1)n = 82 92 – 16 + n = 82 n = 82 – 76 = 6
5. BE of 3Li = 7  5.60 = 39.20 MeV
7

BE of two 2He4 nuclei = 2  4  7.06 = 56.48 MeV

Energy of photon = 56.48 – 39.20 = 17.28 MeV
6. Time taken by neutrons to travel a distance of 10 m,
 10 m
t 3
 4  10 3 s
2.5  10 m / s
The fraction of neutrons decayed in time t,
410 3 4 5.710 6
N 1
t/T
1 700  1 7
10 5
1
 e  t           0.999952
N0 2 2 2 2
Fraction of neutrons decayed = 1 – 0.999952 = 0.000048 = 4.8  10-5
dN
7. Activity   N  N  N0 e t
dt
 dN 
 
dN N0  dt  t0 4750
   n 0 e  t    N     1.760
dt N  dN  2700
 
 dt  t5 min
N t N0 2.3026
Now, e or loge  t or  log10 (1.760)
N0 N t
2.3026
  0.2455 = 0.113 min-1
5
0.6931 0.6931
8. Half-life T   = 6.1 min
 0.113
9. 1 H2 + 1H2  2He4 + Energy (E) Binding energy (BE) per nucleon for 1H2 = 1.1 MeV
 BE of each 1H2 nucleus = 2  1.1 = 2.2 MeV
and BE of two 1H2 nuclei = 2  2.2 = 4.4 MeV
Also, BE of 2He4 nucleus = 4  7.1 = 28.4 MeV
Hence, E = 28.4 – 4.4 = 24 MeV
10. Beta particles are the free electrons emitted by the nucleus.
11. Half life of the radioactive source is 2 hour. Therefore after every 2 hours the intensity of
radiation falls by 2 factor of 2. In 12 hours the intensity falls by a factor of (2) 6 = 64.
13. Adding both the reactions, we get 3  1H2  2He4 + p + n
Mass defect m = 3  (2.014) – (4.001 + 1.007 – 1.008) = 0.026 amu
= 0.026  931 MeV = 24.206 MeV = 24.206  1.6  10-13 J = 3.87  10-12 J
Now power = 1016 J/s
 Number of deuterons consumed per second
10 16
  2.58  10 27 per s
3.87  10 12
Hence, the supply of deuterons will exhaust in times
10 40
 27
 3.87  10 12 s
2.58  10
14. Since the mass number A of stable copper is smaller than that of stable zinc. In the given
problem the atomic mass of copper is given to be greater than that of zinc, hence Cu 66 is
unstable.
Now, 29Cu64  30Zn64 + -1e0 (-decay)
16. 10 Ne22  2 2He4 + ZXAHere, 4 + Z = 10  Z = 6
Since, the atomic number of carbon nucleus is 6, hence the correct choice is B.
17. According to the laws of radioactive decay, any nucleus may decay any time after t = 0.
t/T
N 1
18.  
N0  2 
N 100  33 67 N 100  67 33
For 33%decay   and for 67% decay  
N0 100 100 N0 100 100
Let the time of 33% decay is t1 and that of 67% decay is t2. Then
t /T t /T
 1  1 67 1 2 33
   (i) and    (ii)
2 100 2 100
where T = 20 min
Dividing equation (ii) by equation (i)
1
( t2  t1 ) / T
33 1 t2  t1 t2  t1
    or 1  1
2 67 2 T 20
or t2 – t1 = 20 min.
N1
19. N1  N0 e  1t ; N2  N0 e  2t  e ( 2 1 ) t  e (  10 ) t  e 9t
N2
N1 1
Given that  e 9t  e 1 or 9t = 1 t = 1/9
N2 e
20. Binding energy of W = 7.5  120 = 900 MeV Binding energy of X = 8.0  90 = 720 MeV
Binding energy of Y = 8.5  60 = 510 MeV Binding energy of Z = 5.0  30 = 150 MeV
For a process in which energy releases, the binding energy of the products must be greater
than the binding energy of the reactants.
In reaction (a) Y  2Z BE of Y = 510 and BE of 2Z = 300
BE of product, i.e., 2Z < BE of reactant i.e., 
Hence, this process is not possible.
Similarly the processes (b) and (d) are not possible. In reaction (c) W  2Y.
BE of W = 900 MeV
BE of 2Y = 2  510 = 1020 MeV
Here, BE of product, i.e., 2Y > BE of reactant, i.e., W. Hence the correct choice is C.
21. When neutron residing in the nucleus decays into proton, electron emits,
n  p + e-
22. For -emission, the atomic number and the mass number of the reactants and the products
remains the same.
23. Momentum remains conserved. m1v1 + m2v2 = 0 (initially the nucleus is at rest)
m1 v2 1
  
m2 v1 8

Now, since radius (R) of nucleus is given by R = R0(A)1/3

where A is the mass number of the nucleus.
3
m1  R1  1 R1 1
Atomic mass m  volume R 3
or     
m2  R2  8 R2 2
 p2
25. Kinetic energy K  where p is the momentum of the particle of mass m.
2m
If P and p represents the momenta of daughter nucleus of mass M and that of  particle of
mass m respectively.
P2 p2
Then, Q  
2M 2M
Since momentum remains conserved,
P + P = 0 (Initial momentum is zero) or P=-p
p2  1 2
1  p m   m p2
Q      1  E 1   where Ea 
2  M m  2m  M   M 2m
QM 5.5  (220  4) 5.5  216
or E     5.4 MeV
mM 220 220
t/T 15 / 5 3
N 1 1 1 1
26.        N = N0/8
N0  2  2 2 8
27. Electrons, protons and He2+ particles are the charged particles that can be emitted during
radioactive decay and are deflected by the magnetic field.
dN
28. Initial disintegration rate dt  N0  5000 dis / min
t 0

N 1250
After t = 5 minute, N = 1250 dis/min So,   e t  e 5 
N0 5000
or e5 = 4 5 = loge 4 = 2loge 2  = 0.4 loge 2 = 0.1 ln 2
29. The given nucleus emits 8 -particles and 2 -particles [Emission of electrons (-) and positrons
(+) will balance the charge number Z]
Thus, the effective charge number Zeff of the resulting nucleus is
Zeff = Z – 8  2 + 2  1 = Z – 14 = 92 – 14 = 78
30. Protons can not be emitted by the radioactive substances during their decay.
3
31. The energy of each gas molecule at temperature T K is given by kT
2
3 2  7.7  10 14
kT  7.7  10 14 J T = 3.7  109 K
2 3  1.38  10 23
33. 1 H2 + 1H2  2He4 + Energy (E)
BE of each 1H2 nuclei = 2  1.1 = 2.2 MeV BE of 2He4 nucleus = 4  7.0 = 28.0 MeV
Total BE of reactants (i.e., two 1H2 nuclei) = 2  2.2 = 4.4 MeV
and total BE of Product (i.e., 2He4 nucleus) = 28.0 MeV
Hence, the released energy = 28 – 4.4 = 23.6 MeV
34. The intensity I of gamma radiations after passing through a distance x in the radiation
absorbing medium is given by I = I0e-bx
where I0 is the intensity of incident radiation and b is an absorbing constant
where -radiations travel through the lead sheet of x = 36 mm,
I 1 36b
 e (i)
I0 8
and when -radiations travel through the lead sheet of x mm thickness
 I 1 xb
 e (ii)
I0 2
From equations (i) and (ii)
36b = loge 8 = 3loge 2 (iii) and xb = loge 2 (iv)
Dividing equations (iv) by equation (iii), we get
x 1
  x  12 mm
36 3
7 1
35. N = N0e-t N0  N0  N0 e t e  t 
8 8
2.3026  3  0.301
t  loge 8  2.3026  3log10 2   0.1386
15
0.6931 0.6931
Half life T    5 min
 0.1386
1/3 1/3
1/3 (R)Te  (A)Te   125  5
36.  R  (A)     
(R)Al  (A)Al   27  3

5 5
 (R)Te   (R)Al   3.6  6 Fermi
3 3
37. Z XA + 0n1  3Li7 + 2He4
Now, using the principle of conservation of mass number
A + 1 = 7 + 4  A = 10
and the principle of conservation of charge gives
Z+0=3+2Z=5
This implies that the product nucleus is 5B10
38. Li7 + 1H1  4Be8 + ZXA
3 Here, Z + 4 = 3 + 4  Z = 0 and A=*=7+1A=0
Hence, the emitted particles are  rays photons
42. Electrons in the atom are held by coulombian forces of attraction which is balanced by the
repulsion caused due to their orbital motion.
44. Emission of an electron from the nucleus results an increases of proton, as a result neutron-
proton ratio will decrease.
45. Liquid drop model explain nuclear fission.
48. Heavy water (D2O) is used to slow down the highly energetic neutrons produced in the fission
process, by elastic collision with nuclei of moderator (D 2O).
Graphite Beryllium etc. can also be used as moderator. Ideally, moderators have low atomic
weight and low absorption cross section of neutrons.
49. Nuclear energy produce large amount of heat that will be used to run electric generator.
50. Cadmium (or Boron) rods are used to control the fission rate in a reactor, because cadmium and
boron easily absorbs slow neutrons. When these rods are pushed into the reactor, the fission
rate decreases and when they are pulled out, the fission rate increases.
56. Neutron is an unstable elementary particle in free space.

5B
11
v
11 11
6 C 5 B 
57.   
positron neutrino
58. The actual mass of the nucleus is always less than the sum of the masses of its constituent
particles (nucleons). This difference in mass is known as mass defect. Mass defect per nucleon
is called packing fraction. The energy equivalent to mass defect is released during formation of
the nucleus and is called the binding energy of the nucleus.
59. Nuclear size is of the order of 1 fermi = 10 -15 m and nuclear forces are effective within this
size only.
9.1  10 31  9  1016
60. E = m0c2 = 9.1  10-31  (3  108)2 J  eV
1.6  10 19
= 5.1  105 eV = 510 keV
61. Energy released when 1 amu of mass is annihilated
= 931.5 MeV = 931.5  106  1.6  10-19 J = 1.49  10-10 J
1.49  10 10
 kWh = 4.138  10-17 kWh
60  60  10 3
9  1013
62. E = mc = 10  (3  10 ) J
2 -3 8 2
 3
 2.5  10 7 kWh
60  60  10
64. The minimum value of -ray energy to produce electron positron pair is equal to the algebraic
sum of the rest mass energies of electron and positron. This is equal to
E = m0c2 + m0c2 = 2m0c2
2  9.1  10 31  9  1016
= 2  9.1  10-31  (3  108)2 J  eV
1.6  10 19
65. Energy released = Energy of A110 + B90 – Energy of X200
= [110  8.2 + 90  8.2 – 200  7.4] MeV = 160 MeV
30
15 P
30 30
66. 15 P 14 Si    energy
(positron)
67. Carbon-nitrogen cycle is written as
4(1H1)  2He4 + 2 (He0) + Energy
Thus four protons after fusion produce two positron.
68. Deuteron (1H2) nucleus has one proton + one neutron
Mass defect = m (1H1) + m (0n1) – m (1H2) = 1.00813 + 1.00893 – 2.01473 = 0.00233 amu
Mass defect 0.00233
Packing fraction, P  = 11.65  10-4 amu
Mass number 2

69. Mass defect, m = mp + mn – m  m < mp + mn or m < Zmp + (A – Z)mn

70. Let us consider an example of nuclear fission reaction of 92U235

0n
1
( 92 U236 ) 3( 0 n 1 )
235 141 926
92 U      56 Ba  36 Kr    Energy
(slow neutron ) (unstable isotope) Pr ompt neutrons
Mass of reactants, = 236.0526 amu
Mass of products = 235.8293 amu
Mass defect m = 236.0526 – 235.8293 = 0.2233 amu
0.2233
% of mass converted into energy =  0.1%
236.0526
71. Let us consider the nucleus A as having its mass number ‘a’ and atomic number z and rewrite the
given reactions,

2 He
4
( 1 e 0 )
a a4 a4 a4
zA  z 2 B   z 2 B z C 2 
(  particle) (electron)
Thus both the nucleus A and C have same atomic number Z but different mass numbers ‘a’ and
(a – 4) respectively. Therefore, A and C are the isotopes.

180 a 176 a
72. 72 A  70 A1  71 A2176 

 172
69 A3

 172
69 A4

73. The mass loss of 1 kg of uranium is

0.1  1 kg
Δm   0.001 kg
100
According to the mass energy relation, the energy liberated will be
E = (m) C2 = 0.001  (3  108)2 = 9  1013 J
74. Since the -radiation (electron) keeps the mass number of product nucleus unchanged, there
will be six alpha particles (6  4 = 24) emitted when 90Th232 finally turns into stable
82Pb
208
( 232 – 208 = 24)
Further the emission six alpha particles changes the atomic number of final product to
90 – 2  6 = 78. In order to keep the atomic number 82 there should be four -particles (7 + 1 
4 = 82) emitted during this process.
75. Binding energy of 11N23 nucleus = 0.21  931.5 MeV
0.21  931.5
Binding energy per nucleon   8.505 MeV
23
Δm
76. Mass defect per nucleon is called the packing fraction, i.e., P
A
Positive value of P does not mean that m is large. Since binding energy E = (m) c2
Hence, both the assertion and the reason are false.
6400 N0 N N N
77. Number of half lives, n  4 N n
 04  0   1 / 16
1600 (2) (2) 16 N0

0.693 2.301  log10 2 loge 2 1

78. T1 / 2    Tmean 
   
0.6931 0.6931 1
79. Distingration constant,   per year  per year
T1 / 2 1600 2309
1
Mean life Tmean   2309 years

32
80. Number of half lives n  16
2
N0 16 gm
The substance left after n half lives n n
  1 mg
(2) (2)16
81. The number of atoms left after 2 hours, i.e., after 2 half-lives
N0 8  1010
N   2  10 10 and after 4 hours i.e., after 4 left lives
(2)n (2) 2

N0 8  10 10
N'   0.5  10 10  N  N' 1.5  10 10
(2) 4 16
 4
2 He Energy
A A 4
Z X  Z 2Y
A 4
82.   Z 2 Y  Z 2Y A4  
( ) ( )
0
1 
A 4 A 4
Z 2 Y  Z 1Y  
(electron)
83. Let 1 and 2 be the decay constants of two simultaneous emissions and T 1 and T2 are their
respective half lives. The effective decay constant  for the combined process is
loge 2

T
where T is the effective half life of the combined process. Now, the probability for decay
through first process in a small time dt is 1 dt and that for the second process is 2 dt.
The probability for decay by the combined processed in the same time dt is
dt   1 dt   2 dt or   1  2
loge 2 loge 2 loge 2 1 1 1
or   or  
T T1 T2 T T1 T2
T1T2 1620  810
or T   540 years
T1  T2 1620  810
N0 N0 N0
Now, since N or (2)n   4  n=2
(2)n N N0 / 4
Thus, the total time for two combined half lives. t = nT = 2  540 = 1080 years
N0 N0
84. (2)n    16  (2) 4 n=4  t  nT
N N0 / 16
t 2
 T   0.5 hours = 30 minutes
n 4
85. The activity R is given by
0.6931 0.6931  N
R  N  N R
T 28  365  24  60  60
6.02  6.67  10 18
Here N = 5.24  109 disintegration/sec
28  365  24  60  60
4
86. Number of half lives n  2
2
After 2 half lives the mass of A left in the sample
A0 A A
A n
 02  0  12  3 gm and mass of B after 4 days, B = 12 – 3 = 9 gm
(2) (2) 4 4
87. Since activity reduces to half after 140 days therefore half live of the radioactive sample is
140 days.
Further 280 days means 2 half lives. If initial activity was R 0 and after 2 half lives the activity
becomes R then
initial activity  N0 
Pr esent activity   N 
(2)n  (2)n 
where n is the number of half lives
 R0
R or R0 = (2)n  R = (2)2  6000 = 24000
(2)n
88. Since activity becomes (1/3)rd of original value after 3 days so the (1/3) rd life of the
radioactive sample is 3 days. This is quite similar to the half life definition as time required for
the activity to reduce to half the original value is called half life.
2
1 1
 In 6 days, i.e., after 2(1/3) lives the activity will decrease to (n) 2    
3 9
89. Binding energy = (MO – 8MP – 9MN)c2
ln 2 1 dN ln 2 1
91. t1 / 2   m ean  ;  N    x   y (0.6932)   y   x
x  y dt x y

92. Rest mass energy of U will be greater than the rest mass energy of the nucleus in which it
breaks (as conservation of momentum is always followed).