Unit –VIII ATOMS & NUCLEI

Unit –VIII ATOMS & NUCLEI Marks-8

Chapter–13: Nuclei
 Nuclei
Chapter–13: Nuclei Marks-4
`
 Composition and size of nucleus
 Nuclear force
 Mass-energy relation, mass defect, nuclear fission,
nuclear fusion.
 NOTE

Dear Student,
Please refer the video lecture for
Solution of all Unsolved question
given in PDF.
 Nuclei
Nucleus :-
It is the part of an atom which exists at the centre of an
atom. Nucleus contains protons and neutrons, called
nucleons.

Nucleus of element 'X' is represented by  ZXA

Z = Atomic number = number of protons
Number of neutrons (N) = A – Z
Mass number (A) = Z + N
Mass of nucleus : -
Mass of nucleus = mass of atom – total mass of electrons
mN(ZXA) = m(ZXA) – Zme
Atomic mass unit (a.m.u)
Atomic mass unit (a.m.u):
It is defined as (1/12)th of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
OR
It is also equal to the mass of one proton or neutron.
Mass Energy Equivalence Relation
Mass energy equivalence relation :
According to Einstein, energy and mass can be interchanged.
We know that
Mass Energy Equivalence Relation

E=mc2 this is Einstein's mass-energy relation.

Mass Energy Equivalence Relation
Energy equivalent to a mass of 1 a.m.u.
 Nucleus
Size of nucleus:
Radius of nucleus is directly proportional to cube root of
mass number.
 Nucleus
Volume of nucleus:
 Nucleus
Density of nucleus :

density of nucleus does not depend on mass number.

 Nucleus
Charge of nucleus:
Charge of nucleus (q) = + Ze

Z = atomic number , e = 1.6 × 10–19 C

Isotopes :
The nuclei having same no. of protons but different no. of
neutrons are called isotopes.
Ex.

Deutron  Nucleus of deuterium

Triton  Nucleus of tritium
 Nucleus
Isotones :
The nuclei having same number of neutrons (N) but different
atomic number are called isotones.
Ex. 6C14, 7N15, 8O16, 9F17
Isobars :
The nuclei having same mass number (A) are called isobars.
Ex. 6C14, 7N14
If an element has three isotopes I1, I2 and I3 and their atomic
weights are u1, u2 & u3 and relative abundances of these
isotopes are x, y and z, then average atomic weight of an
element is given by-
Average atomic weight of an element
 Nucleus
Q. Chlorine has two isotopes having masses 34.98 u and
36.98 u and their relative abundances are 75.4 and 24.6 per
cent respectively. Find average weight of chlorine.

Sol. Average weight of chlorine =

 Mass defect
Mass defect :
The difference between total masses of nucleons (protons
and neutrons) and actual mass of a nucleus is called mass
defect.

Mass defect of nucleus –

m = [Z mp + (A – Z) mn] – M

M  Actual mass of nucleus

Mass defect
 Nuclear Binding Energy
Nuclear binding energy : The amount of energy required to
separate the constituent nucleons to large distances is
called nuclear binding energy.
Binding energy of nucleus is given by –
m  mass defect
Eb=(m)c2
Binding energy per nucleons :
It is the ratio of the binding energy (Eb) of a nucleus to the
number of nucleons.

As high is the value of binding energy per nucleon higher

is the stability of a nucleus.
 Nuclear Binding Energy
Q. Calculate the binding energy per nucleon of 26Fe56 nucleus.
Given : actual mass of Fe nucleus = 55.93494 u.
 Nuclear Binding Energy
Binding energy curve : It is a curve between binding energy
per nucleon and mass number.
 Nuclear Binding Energy
From graph :
(1) The average binding energy per nucleon for all elements is
8 MeV.
(2) 26Fe56 has maximum value of binding energy per nucleon,
which is 8.75 MeV. So it is highly stable and large abundance
in nature.
(3) Binding energy per nucleon increases very sharply for very
light nuclei from it's least value for hydrogen.
(4) Sharp peaks on the graph (at 2He4, 6C12 and 8O16 nuclei)
show that these nuclei are more stable than their neighbour
nuclei
(5) Ebn is lower for both light nuclei (A < 30) and heavy nuclei
(A > 170).
 Nuclear Force
Nuclear force :
It is the force between nucleons in nucleus. It is strong
attractive force.

The nuclear force between N – N, P – P and P – N is

approximately same.

Nuclear force > coulomb force > gravitational force

Potential Energy Of Nucleons
Potential energy of nucleons : Potential energy of nucleons is
due to existence of electrostatic and nuclear force between
them.

r = distance between nucleon

r0 = 0.8 fm
 Stability Of Nucleus
Stability of nucleus :
Nuclear stability depends on neutrons to protons ratio (N/P).

(N/P)=1 for light stable nuclei (A < 30)

 (N/P)=1.6 for heavy stable nuclei.

 Stability Of Nucleus
If N/P ratio greater than 1.6 makes nucleus again unstable.
Which means both excess of neutrons and protons makes
nucleus unstable.

 If P >> N, strong repulsive force between the nucleons

which may break the nucleus.

 If N >> P, excess of neutrons makes the nucleus large in

volume, so distance between nucleons also becomes large
and nuclear force becomes less effective.
 Nuclear Reaction
Nuclear Reaction : Conversion of less tightly bound unstable
nuclei into more tightly bound stable nuclei is called nuclear
reaction.
In nuclear reaction linear momentum, energy, charge and
total number of nucleons are conserve but total mass of
nuclei is not conserve.

Nuclear energy : The energy release in nuclear reaction due

to mass defect is called nuclear energy. The energy release is
of the order of MeV.
Energy release in nuclear fission of 1 kg of Uranium = 1014 J
Energy release in 1kg coal=107 J
 Nuclear Reaction
Nuclear reaction are of two types :
(1) Nuclear fission (2) Nuclear fusion
(1) Nuclear fission :
Very heavy nuclei (A > 209) which are unstable due to less
binding energy per nucleon, are broken into lighter nuclei,
when bombarded by thermal neutron, this process is called
nuclear fission.

The energy released in fission of of 92U235 nuclei is 200 MeV

 Nuclear Reaction
Reproduction factor :

For controlled chain reaction, K = 1 (in nuclear reactors)

For uncontrolled chain reaction, K > 1 (in nuclear bomb)

If K < 1 nuclear reaction will be stopped.

 Nuclear Reaction
Nuclear reactor : Nuclear reactor is used in nuclear power
plant to generate electrical energy from nuclear energy.
 Nuclear Reaction
Core : It is the site of nuclear fission. It contains fuel elements.
Fuel : Enriched uranium is used as a fuel.
Ex. 92U235 or 94Pu239
Reflector : The core is surrounded by a reflector to reduce leakage
of radiations.
Moderators : Moderators are provided along with fissionable
nuclei for slowing down fast neutrons.
Ex. Water, heavy water (D2O), graphite.
Control rods : It is used to shut down the reactor. Control rods
made of cadmium that have high absorption of neutrons.
Coolant : The energy released by fission is removed by a suitable
coolant. The coolant transfers heat to a working fluid which
produce steam. The steam drives turbine and generate electricity.
 Nuclear Reaction
Nuclear fusion : Combination of two or more lighter (unstable)
nuclei to form a heavy stable nucleus is called nuclear fusion.
This reaction takes place at very high temperature and pressure.
In these reaction rest mass of product in less than mass of
reactant nuclei. Due to this mass defect, energy release.
Ex. Hydrogen bomb.
 Nuclear Reaction
Proton-proton cycle :
 a , b & g-decay
a-decay : In a-decay, atomic number of parent nucleus is reduced
by 2 and mass number is reduced by 4.

In a-decay, the mass defect between reactant and product nuclei is

converted into kinetic energy of the products.
This energy is given by –

If Q > 0, then a-decay is possible.

Due to large mass of a-particles, these are heavily absorbed by
matter and have highest ionizing power and least penetrating power.
 a , b & g-decay
b-decay : (i) In b-decay, a neutron is converted into proton.
 a , b & g-decay

Total energy produced due to mass defect is distributed

among these two particles [b+ & n or b– & n ]
Less ionizing power.
High penetrating power.
 a , b & g-decay
g-decay- After emission of a or b- particle parent nucleus
goes to excited state and when it comes back to ground
state it emits photon is the form of g-rays. This is called g-
decay.

Least ionizing power.

Highest penetrating power.
Speed equal to light speed.
 Electron Capture
Electron capture :
In the electron capture, a nucleus absorbs one of its inner
orbital electrons and as a result of this, a nuclear proton
change into a neutron and a neutrino is emitted.

Q. Why is it found experimentally difficult to detect neutrinos?

Sol.
(1) Mass less, charge less particle & have only weak interaction
with other particles.
(2) They can penetrate large quantity of matter without any
interaction.
NCERT IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Q.1 Obtain approximately the ratio of the nuclear radii of the
gold isotope 79Au197 and silver isotope 47Ag107.
Q.2 Obtain the binding energy (in MeV) of a nitrogen nucleus
(7N14). Given m(7N14) = 14.00307 u.
Q.3 Obtain the binding energy of the nuclei 26Fe56 and 83Bi209
in units of MeV from the following data :
m(26Fe56) = 55.934939 a.m.u , m(83Bi209) = 208.980388 a.m.u.
which nucleus has greater binding energy per nucleon ? Take
1a.m.u = 931.5 MeV
Q.4 From the relation R = R0A1/3, where R0 is a constant and A
is the mass number of a nucleus, shows that the nuclear
matter density is nearly constant. (i.e. independent of A).
NCERT IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Q.5 The fission properties of 94 Pu 239 are very similar to those of
92 U
235
. The average energy released per fission is 180 MeV.
How much energy, in MeV, is released if all the atoms in 1 kg
of pure 94 Pu 239 undergo fission?

Q.6 What will be the value of neutron multiplication factor for

controlled chain reactions ?
Q.7 Differentiate between nuclear fission & fusion. Give an
example of each. Which of the above reactions take place in
nuclear reactor ?

Q.8 What does mean by mass defect ? Establish relation

between mass defect and nuclear binding energy.
NCERT IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Q.9 What is nuclear force ? Write it’s specific properties ?

Q.10 Draw a graph showing variation of potential energy

of a pair of nucleon as a function of their separation
indicate the region in which the force is
(a) Attractive (b) Repulsive.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
YEAR-2016
Q.1 Plot a graph showing the variation of binding energy per
nucleon as a function of mass number. Which property of
nuclear force explains the approximate constancy of binding
energy in the range 30 < A < 170 ? How does one explain the
release of energy in both the processes of nuclear fission
and fusion from the graph ?
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
YEAR-2017
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
YEAR-2018

Q.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?

Q.2 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.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
YEAR-2019
Q.1
(a) State two distinguishing features of nuclear force.

(b) Draw a plot showing the variation of potential energy of a

pair of nucleons as a function of their separation. Mark the
regions on the graph where the force is
(i) attractive, and
(ii) repulsive.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
YEAR-2020

Q.1 In β-decay, the parent and daughter nuclei have the

same number of _______.

Q.2 The nuclear radius of 13 Al 27 is 3.6 fermi Find the

nuclear radius of 29Cu 64.
 Race
Q.1 The quantity which is not conserved in a nuclear reaction
is-
(a) momentum (b) charge
(c) mass (d) none of these

Q.2 Ratio of the radii of the nuclei with mass numbers 8 and
27 would be
(a) 27/8 (b) 8/27
(c) 2/3 (d) 3/2

Q.3 Order of magnitude of density of uranium nucleus is

(a) 1020 kg m-3 (b) 1017 kg m-3
(c) 1014 kg m-3 (d) 1011 kg m-3
 Race
Q.4 Light energy emitted by star is due to
(a) breaking of nuclei (b) joining of nuclei
(c) burning of nuclei (d) reflection of solar light

Q.5 In nuclear reaction, there is conservation of

(a) mass only
(b) energy only
(c) momentum only
(d) mass, energy and momentum

Q.6 In nuclear reactors, the control rods are made of

(a) cadmium (b) graphite
(c) krypton (d) plutonium
 Race
Q.7 Heavy stable nuclei have more neutrons than protons.
This is because of the fact that
(a) neutrons are heavier than protons.
(b) electrostatic force between protons are repulsive.
(c) neutrons decay into protons through beta decay.
(d) nuclear forces between neutrons are weaker than that
between protons.

Q.8 Average binding energy is maximum for

(a) C12
(b) Fe56
(c) U235
(d) Po210
 Race
Q.9 The set which represent the isotope, isobar, and
isotones respectively is
(a) (1H2, 1H3 ) , (79Au197, 80Hg198 ) and (2H3, 1H2 )
(b) (2H3, 1H1 ) , (79Au197, 80Hg198 ) and (2H3, 1H3 )
(c) (2H3, 1H2 ) ,(1H2, 1H3 ) and (79Au197, 80Hg198 )
(d) (1H2, 1H3 ) , (2H3, 1H3 ) and (79Au197, 80Hg198 )

Q.10 Sun’s radiant energy is due to

(a) nuclear fission
(b) nuclear fusion
(c) photoelectric effect
(d) spontaneous radioactive decay
 Race
Q.11 Isotones have the same number of _________ .

Q.12 Two nuclei have mass numbers in the ratio 2 : 5. The

ratio of their nuclear densities_________.

Q.13 Neutrino is a particle, which is charge less and has spin

is________.

Q.14 For a nuclear fusion process, suitable nuclei are______.

Q.15 A nuclei having same number of neutron but different

number of protons / atomic number are called________.
 Race
Q.16 Give the names of two moderators used in nuclear
reactor.

Q.17 Write the necessary condition required for fusion

reaction.

Q.18 Write any two characteristic properties of nuclear

force.

Q.19 How is the radius of a nucleus related to its mass

number?

Q.20 Select the pairs of isobars from the following nuclei ?

22 23 23
11Na , 11Na , 10Ne .