Nuclear Physics
Kerala Board · Class 12 · Physics
Flashcards for Nuclear Physics — Kerala Board Class 12 Physics. Quick Q&A cards covering key concepts, definitions, and formulas.
What is the atomic number (Z) and mass number (A) of a nucleus? How are they related to the number of protons and neutrons?
Answer
Atomic number (Z) = Number of protons in the nucleus = Number of electrons in a neutral atom Mass number (A) = Total number of nucleons = Number of protons + Number of neutrons Number of neutrons (N)
Define isotopes, isobars, and isotones with examples.
Answer
Isotopes: Same Z, different A (same element, different neutrons) Example: ¹²₆C and ¹⁴₆C Isobars: Same A, different Z (different elements, same mass number) Example: ⁴⁰₁₈Ar and ⁴⁰₂₀Ca Isotones: Same
What is the formula for nuclear radius and calculate the radius of ¹⁶₈O nucleus?
Answer
Nuclear radius formula: R = r₀A¹/³ where r₀ = 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ m (unit nuclear radius) For ¹⁶₈O: A = 16 R = 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ × (16)¹/³ R = 1.2 × 10⁻¹⁵ × 2.52 R = 3.02 × 10⁻¹⁵ m = 3.02 fm
What is unified atomic mass unit (u)? Express the masses of proton and neutron in u.
Answer
1u = (1/12) × mass of ¹²₆C atom = 1.66 × 10⁻²⁷ kg = 931.3 MeV/c² Mass of proton (mₚ) = 1.00727 u = 938.3 MeV/c² Mass of neutron (mₙ) = 1.00865 u = 939.6 MeV/c² Mass of electron (mₑ) = 0.000549 u = 0.
Define mass defect and binding energy. How are they related?
Answer
Mass defect (Δm): Difference between sum of masses of individual nucleons and actual nuclear mass Δm = [Z·mₚ + (A-Z)·mₙ] - M Binding Energy (BE): Energy equivalent of mass defect BE = Δm × c² = Δm ×
Calculate the binding energy per nucleon for ⁷₃Li nucleus. Given: mass of ⁷₃Li = 6.015 u, mₚ = 1.00727 u, mₙ = 1.00865 u
Answer
Given: M(⁷₃Li) = 6.015 u, Z = 3, A = 7, N = 4 Mass of constituents: 3 protons = 3 × 1.00727 = 3.02181 u 4 neutrons = 4 × 1.00865 = 4.0346 u Total = 7.05641 u Mass defect = 7.05641 - 6.015 = 1.04141
What are the characteristic properties of nuclear forces?
Answer
1. Short range: Effective only up to ~10⁻¹⁵ m 2. Charge independent: Same for p-p, p-n, and n-n interactions 3. Strongly attractive: Much stronger than electromagnetic forces 4. Saturated: Each nucleo
What is radioactivity? Who discovered it and how?
Answer
Radioactivity: Spontaneous disintegration of unstable nuclei with emission of α, β, or γ radiations to achieve stability. Discovered by: A.H. Becquerel (1896) Discovery: Accidentally found that urani
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Sources & Official References
- Kerala Board of Public Examinations — keralapareekshabhavan.in
- National Education Policy 2020 — education.gov.in
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