HIGHER SECONDARY SECOND YEAR

PHYSICS
VOLUME - II

UNSOLVED PROBLEMS

PREPARED BY
S. MEENA., M.Sc., M.Phil.,B.Ed.,

1
 6. OPTICS
1. An object is placed at a certain distance from a convex lens of focal length 20cm. Find the
distance of the object if the image obtained is magnified 4 times.
GIVEN
f = 20 cm, m = 4, u=?
SOLUTION
1 1 1
 
f v u
v
Here m   4  v  4u
u
1 1 1
 
4u u f
3 1 4u
Then   f 
4u f 3
3f 3 X 20
u 
4 4
u = -3 x 5 = -15
u = -15 cm.

2. A compound microscope has a magnification of 30. The focal length of eye piece is 5 cm.
Assuming the final image to be at least distance of distinct vision, find the magnification produced
by the objective.
GIVEN
m = 30, fe = 5 cm, D = 25 cm, m0 = ?
SOLUTION
Total magnification m = m0 me
 D   25 
me  1    1  
 fe   5 
me = 1 + 5 = 6
Then m = m0 me
30 = m0 x 6
m0 = 5

3. An object is placed in front of a concave mirror of focal length 20 cm. The image formed is three
times the size of the object. Calculate two possible distances of the object from the mirror.
GIVEN
v
f = - 20 cm (concave mirror), v = -3u   3 , u = ?
u
SOLUTION
I) For virtual image
1 1 1
 
f v u
v 1 1 1 1 3 2
m=  = - (-3) -------> m = 3 then     
u 20 3u u 3u 3u
2 40
u X 20   cm
3 3

2
 II) For real image
1 1 1
 
f v u
v 1 1 1 1 3 4
m=  =-3 -------> v = 3u then     
u 20 3u u 3u 3u
4 80
u X 20   cm
3 3

4. A small bulb is placed at the bottom of a tank containing water to a depth of 80 cm.What is the
area of the surface of water through which light from the bulb can emerge out? Refractive index of
water is 1.33. (Consider the bulb to be a point source.)
GIVEN
d = 80 cm = 80 x 10-2 m = 8 x 10-1 m , n = 1.33, A=?
SOLUTION
d
Radius of illumination R=
n2 1
Area of surface A = π R2
d2
R2 
n2 1
d 2
A 2
n 1

A

3.14 X 8 X 10 1 
2


3.14 X 64 X 10  2 200.96 X 10  2

1.332  1 1.7689  1 0.7689
A = 261.3 X 10-2
A = 2.6 m2.

5. A thin converging glass lens made of glass with refractive index 1.5 has a power of + 5.0 D.
When this lens is immersed in a liquid of refractive index n, it acts as a divergent lens of focal
length 100 cm. What must be the value of n?
GIVEN
1
ng = n2 = 1.5, P = = 5D ( divergent lens), f = 100 cm = -1 m, n=?
f
SOLUTION
1  n2  1 1 
   1  
f  n1  R1 R2 
 1.5  1 1 
5  1  
 1  R1 R2 
1 1 
5  0.5          (1)
 R1 R2 
Now f = -1 m then

1  1.5  1 1 
   1  
1  1  R1 R2 
1 1 
 1  0.5          (2)
 R1 R2 
3
 Eqn (2)  Eqn (1)
5 0 .5

 1  1 .5 
  1
 n 
 1 .5 
5  1    0 .5
 n 
7 .5
 5   0 .5
n
7 .5
 4 .5
n
7 .5
n
4 .5
5
n
3

6. If the distance D between an object and screen is greater than 4 times the focal length of a
convex lens, then there are two positions of the lens for which images are formed on the screen.
This method is called conjugate foci method. If d is the distance between the two positions of the
lens, obtain the equation for focal length of the convex lens.
GIVEN
Conjugate foci method

SOLUTION
Here d = u2 - u1 , u1 = -u, v1 = D - u1 = D - u
1 1 1
Len’s law  
v u f
Then
1 1 1
 
v1 u1 f1
1 1 1
 
D u u f
u  D u 1

u(D  u) f
4
 D 1

u(D  u) f
Df  Du  u 2
u 2  Du  Df  0

a = 1, b = -D, c = Df
Then
 b  b 2  4ac
u
2a
D  D 2  4 Df
u
2
D  D 2  4 Df D  D 2  4 Df
u1  , u2 
2 2
d  u 2  u1
D  D 2  4 Df  D  D 2  4 Df
d
2
 2 D 2  4 Df
d
2
d  D 2  4 Df
d 2  D 2  4 Df
4 Df  D 2  d 2
D2  d 2
f 
4D

7. A beam of light of wavelength 600 nm from a distant source falls on a single slit 1 mm wide and
the resulting diffraction pattern is observed on a screen 2 m away. What is the distance between the
first dark fringe on either side of the central bright fringe?
GIVEN
λ = 600 nm = 6 x 10-7 m, d = 1 x 10-3 m, D = 2 m, y = ?

SOLUTION
Distance between first dark fringe on either side of the central bright fringe is also called
width of central maximum.
2 D
2y 
d
2 X 2 X 6 X 10 7
2y   24 X 10  4
1X 10 3
2 y  2.4 X 10 3 m
2y = 2.4 mm

8. In Young’s double slit experiment, the slits are 2 mm apart and are illuminated with a mixture of
two wavelength λ0= 750 nm and λ = 900 nm. What is the minimum distance from the common
central bright fringe on a screen 2 m from the slits where a bright fringe from one interference
pattern coincides with a bright fringe from the other?

5
GIVEN
d = 2 x 10-3 m, λ0 = 750 nm = 750 x 10-9 m , λ = 900 nm = 9 x 10-7 m , D = 2 m

SOLUTION
For bright fringe
nD
yn 
d
nth order of bright fringe coincide with (n+1)th order of bright fringe.
yn = yn+1
Then
nD (n  1) D0

d d
n λ = (n+1) λ0
 n 1 1
  1
0 n n
 1
1 
0 n
9 X 10 7 1
7
1 
7.5 X 10 n
90 1
1 
75 n
90  75 1

75 n
1 15 1
 
n 75 5
n5
5 X 2 X 9 X 10 7
yn  3
 45 X 10  4 m
2 X 10
yn = 4.5 mm

9. In Young’s double slit experiment, 62 fringes are seen in visible region for sodium light of
wavelength 5893 Å. If violet light of wavelength 4359 Å is used in place of sodium light, then what
is the number of fringes seen?
GIVEN
n1 = 62 fringes, λ1 = 5893 A0, λ2 = 4359 A0, n2 = ?

SOLUTION
n D
yn 
d
n11  n2 2
n11
n2 
2
62 X 5893
n2 
4359
n2 = 84

6
10. A compound microscope has a magnifying power of 100 when the image is formed at infinity.
The objective has a focal length of 0.5 cm and the tube length is 6.5 cm. What is the focal length of
the eyepiece.

GIVEN
m = 100, f0 = 0.5 cm, L = 6.5 cm, D = 25 cm, fe = ?

SOLUTION
The image is formed at infinity , the real image produced by the objective lens should
be lie on the focus of the eye piece

vo + fe = 6.5 ----------> (1)

The magnifying power for normal focusing

v0 D
m= X
u0 fe
 v D
m   1  0 
 f0  fe
 v  25
100   1  0  X
 0 .5  f e
25 25 v0
100    X
f e f e 0 .5
25 50v0
100   
fe fe
100 f e  50v0  25
50v0  100 f e  25
÷ by 25 then
2 v0 - 4 fe = 1 ----------> (2)
Solve (1) and (2)

Eqn (1) x 2 2 v0 + 2 fe = 13
2 v0 - 4 fe =1
(-) (+) (-)

6fe = 12

fe = 2 cm

7
 7.DUAL NATURE OF RADIATION AND MATTER

1. How many photons per second emanate from a 50 mW laser of 640 nm?
GIVEN
np
P = 50 mW = 50 x 10-3 w, λ = 640 nm = 64 x 10-8 m,  ?
t

SOLUTION
hc
E=hν=

p
The no of photons emitter per sec =
Ep
np p p
  
t E p hc
np 50 X 10 3 X 64 X 10 8

t 6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
np 5 X 64 X 10 10 320 X 10 10  26
  31
  16.09 X 1016
t 6.626 X 3 X 10 19.878
np
 1.61X 1017 s 1
t

2. Calculate the maximum kinetic energy and maximum velocity of the photoelectrons emitted
when the stopping potential is 81V for the photoelectric emission experiment.
GIVEN
Vo = 81 v, k.Emax = ? , vmax = ?

SOLUTION
i ) K.Emax = eV0 = 1.6 x 10-19 x 81
= 129.6 x 10-19 = 1.3 x 10-19 J

K. Emax = 1.3 x 10-19 J

ii)
1 2
mVmax  K .Emax
2
2 2 K .Emax 2 K .Emax
Vmax   Vmax 
m m
2 X 1.3 X 10 17 2.6 X 10 17 31
Vmax    0.28 X 1014
9.1X 10 31 9 .1
Vmax = 0.529 x 107

Vmax = 5.3. x 106 m s-1.

3. Calculate the energies of the photons associated with the following radiation: (i) violet light of
413 nm (ii) X-rays of 0.1 nm (iii) radio waves of 10 m.

8
GIVEN
λv = 413 x 10-9 m, λx = 0.1 x10-9 = 1 x 10-10 m, λradio = 10 m

SOLUTION
hc
E = hν =

6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
i) Ev = J
413 X 10 9
6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
Ev = eV
413 X 10 9 X 1.6 X 10 19
19.878 X 10 26
=  28
 0.03 X 10 2
660.8 X 10
Ev = 3 eV

6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108

ii) Ex = eV
1X 10 10 X 1.6 X 10 19
19.878 X 10 26
=  29
 12.424 X 103
1.6 X 10
Ev = 12424 eV
6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
iii) Eradio = eV
10 X 1.6 X 10 19
19.878 X 10 7
=  1.2424 X 10 7
16
Ev = 1.24 x 10-7 eV

4. A 150 W lamp emits light of mean wavelength of 5500 A0 . If the efficiency is 12%, find out the
number of photons emitted by the lamp in one second.
GIVEN
np
P = 150 W, λ = 5500 A0, η = 12 %, ?
t
SOLUTION
np p hc
 X , EP = hν =
t Ep 
np p
 X
t hc
np 150 X 5500 X 10 10 X 12
 
t 6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108 X 100
150 X 55 X 12 X 10 8 X 10 24
=  4980 X 1016
6.626 X 3
np
 4.980 x 1019
t
5. How many photons of frequency 1014 Hz will make up 19.86 J of energy?
GIVEN
Ν = 1014 Hz, E = 19.89 J

9
SOLUTION
E

h
19.86
p   34 14
 2.99 X 10 20
6.626 X 10 X 10
ηp = 3 x 1020 photons.

6. What should be the velocity of the electron so that its momentum equals that of 4000 A0
wavelength photon.
GIVEN
λ = 4000 A0 = 4 x 10-7 m, p = mv

SOLUTION
h h
 
p mv
h 6.626 X 10 34
v 
m 9.1X 10 31 X 4 X 10 7
6.626 X 10 34 38
v
36.4
v = 0.19 x 1014 = 1.9 x103 m/s
v = 1900 m/s.

7. When a light of frequency 9 X 1014 Hzis incident on a metal surface, photoelectrons are emitted
with a maximum speed of 8 x 10 5 m s-1 . Determine the threshold frequency of the surface.
GIVEN
ν = 9 x1014 Hz, v = 8 x 105 m/s, ν0 = ?
SOLUTION
1 2
h  h 0  mVmax
2
1 2
h 0  h  mVmax
2
1
h 0  6.626 X 10 34 X 9 X 1014 
2

X 9.1X 10 31 X 8 X 105 
2

= 59.634 x10-20 - 291 x 10-21

= 59.634 x10-20 - 29.1 x 10-20
hν0 = 30.534 x 10-20
30.534 X 10 20
0   4.608 X 1014
6.626 X 10 34
ν0 = 4.61 x1014 Hz.

8. When a 6000 A0 light falls on the cathode of a photo cell and produced photoemission. If a
stopping potential of 0.8 V is required to stop emission of electron, then determine the (i) frequency
of the light (ii) energy of the incident photon (iii) work function of the cathode material (iv)
threshold frequency and (v) net energy of the electron after it leaves the surface.
GIVEN
V0 = 0.8 V, λ = 6000 A0 = 6 x 10-7 m

10
SOLUTION
c
i) C = νλ => 

3 X 108 1015
 
6 X 10 7 2
ν = 5 x 1014 J
ii) E = hν = 6.626 x 10-34 x 5 x 1014 J
6.626 X 5 X 10 20
E eV
1.6 X 10 19
E = 2.07 eV
iii) Ф0 = hν - K.Emax
Ф0 = hν - eV
1.6 X 10 19 X 0.8
0  2.07 
1.6 X 10 19
Ф0 = 2.07 - 0.8
Ф0 =1.27 e V

0 1.27 X 1.6 X 10 19

0  
h 6.626 X 10 34
iv)
2.032 X 1015
0 
6.626
ν0 = 3.07 x 1014 Hz.

v) Net energy
K.Enet = E - Ф0
= 2.07 - 1.27
K.Enet = 0.80 eV.

9. A 3310 A0 photon liberates an electron from a material with energy 3 X 10-19 J while another
5000 A0 photon ejects an electron with energy 0.972 X 10-19 J from the same material. Determine
the value of Planck’s constant and the threshold wavelength of the material.
GIVEN
E1 = 3 x 10-19 J, λ1 = 3310 x 10-10 m = 3.310 x 10-7 m
E2 = 0.972 x 10-19 J, λ2 = 5000 x 10-10 m = 5 x 10-7 m

SOLUTION
h    0  K .E
hc
 0  E1      (1)
1
hc
 0  E2      (2)
2
1  2
1 1 
hc     E1  E2
 1 2 
   
hc  2 1   E1  E2
 12 

11
  E  E2   12 
h 1 X
 c   2  1 
 3  0.972X 1019   3.31X 107 X 5 X 10 
7

h    X 
  5  3.31X 10 
8
 3 X 10 7


 2.028 X 1027   16.55 X 10 
7

h    X 
 3   1.69 

h = 0.676 x 10-27 x 9.792 x 10-7
h = 6.62 x 10-34 J s.

Work function (Ф0)

hc
0   E1
1
6.62 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
0 
19

7
 3 X 10
3.31X 10
0  2 X 3 X 10 3415  3 X 10
19

0  6 X 10 19  3 X 10
19

Ф0 = 3 x 10-19 J
hc 6.62 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
0  
0 3 X 10 19
λ0 = 6.62 x 10-34+27
λ0 = 6.62 x 10-7 m
λ0 = 6620 A0.

10. At the given point of time, the earth receives energy from sun at 4 cal cm-2 min-1. Determine the
number of photons received on the surface of the Earth per cm2 per minute. (Given : Mean
wavelength of sun light = 5500 A0 )
GIVEN
E = 4 cal cm-2 min-1, λ = 5500 A0 = 5.5 x 10-7 m,
Etot = 4 x 4.184 cm-2 min-1 = 16.736cm-2 min-1

SOLUTION
hc 6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
E photon  
 5.5 X 10 7
EP = 3.6 x 10-19.
Etot 16.736
np  
E p 3.6 X 10 19
np = 4.65 x 1019.

11. UV light of wavelength 1800 A0 is incident on a lithium surface whose threshold wavelength
4965 A0 . Determine the maximum energy of the electron emitted.
GIVEN
λ = 1800 A0 = 1.8 x 10-7 m, λ0 = 4965 A0 = 4.965 x 10-7 m

12
SOLUTION
hν - hν0 = K.Emax
c c 
h     K .Emax
  0 
1 1    
K .Emax  hc     hc 0 
  0   0 


K .Emax  6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108 X 
4.965  1.810 7 
7 7 
 4.965 X 10 X 1.8 X 10 
6.626 X 3 X 3.165 X 10 19
K .Emax  J
4.965 X 1.8
6.626 X 3 X 3.165 X 10 19 62.91
K .Emax  19
eV  eV
4.965 X 1.8 X 1.6 X 10 14.30

K.Emax = 4.4 eV

12. Calculate the de Broglie wavelength of a proton whose kinetic energy is equal to 81.9 × 10–15 J.
(Given: mass of proton is 1836 times that of electron).
GIVEN
K.E = 81.9 X 10-15 J, mp = 1836 me, λp = ?

SOLUTION
h

2m p k
6.626 X 10 34

2 X 1.6 X 10  27 X 81.9 X 10 15
6.626 X 10 34

262.08 X 10  42
6.626 X 10 34

16.18 X 10  21
λ = 0.40 X 10-13
λ = 4 X 10-14 m.

13. A deuteron and an alpha particle are accelerated with the same potential. Which one of the two
has i) greater value of de Broglie wavelength associated with it and ii) less kinetic energy? Explain.
GIVEN
md = 2mp, mα = 4mp, deutron( 1H2 ) => charge = +e, α - particle( 2He4 ) => charge = +2e

SOLUTION
h

2meV
h h
d  ,  
2 X 2mP XeV 2 X 4mP X 2eV
d h 2 X 4mP X 2eV
  X  42
 2 X 2mP XeV h

⸫ λd = 2 λα
13
 h
K .E   
2mK
h h
d  ,  
2 X 2mP XK d 2 X 4mP XK
 h 2 X 2mP XK d
  X
d 2 X 4mP XK h
1 Kd 1 K
   d
2 2 K 4 2 K
Kd 1 K
  Kd  
K 2 2
Kd < kα

14. An electron is accelerated through a potential difference of 81V. What is the de Broglie
wavelength associated with it? To which part of electromagnetic spectrum does this wavelength
correspond?
GIVEN
V = 81 v, λ=?

SOLUTION
12.27 0 12.27 12.27
 A  
V 81 9
λ = 1.36 A0
This wavelength corresponds to X- rays.

15. The ratio between the de Broglie wavelengths associated with protons, accelerated through a
potential of 512 V and that of alpha particles accelerated through a potential of X volts is found to be
one. Find the value of X.
GIVEN
p
V = 512 v,  1   p   , x=?

SOLUTION
h

2meV
h
P 
2mP XeX 512
h
 
2 X 4mP X 2eXx
  P
h h

2 X 4mP X 2eXx 2mP XeX 512
1 1

8x 512
8 x  512
8x = 512 ===> x = 64 V.

14
 8. ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS

1. Consider two hydrogen atoms HA and HB
rest and hydrogen atom HB is moving with
hydrogen atom HA. After the strike, both of
kinetic energy of the moving hydrogen atom
one of the excitation state.
in ground state. Assume that hydrogen atom HA is at
a speed and make head-on collide on the stationary
them move together. What is minimum value of the
HB, such that any one of the hydrogen atoms reaches

GIVEN

SOLUTION
In elastic collision
K.E before collision = K.E after collision
1 2 1 2 1 2
mvi  mv f  mv f
2 2 2
Ei = 2 Ef
Final kinetic energy = 10.2 eV is the minimum required for excitation.
⸫ Required minimum kinetic energy = 2 x 10.2
The minimum kinetic energy = 20.4 eV.

2. In the Bohr atom model, the frequency of transitions is given by the following expression

 1 1 
  Rc 2  2 , where n < m, Consider the following transitions:
n m 

Show that the frequency of these transitions obey sum rule (which is known as Ritz combination
principle)
GIVEN
 1 1 
  Rc 2  2 , n  m
n m 

15
SOLUTION
m = 3, n=2
 1 1  5 Rc
 3  2  Rc   
 4 9  36
m = 2, n=1
 1 1  3Rc
 2  1  Rc   
1 4  4
m = 3, n=1
 1 1  8 Rc
 3 1  Rc   
1 9  9
ν3 -> 1 = ν3 -> 2 + ν2 -> 1
8 5 3
Rc  Rc  Rc
9 36 4
8  5  27   32 
Rc    Rc    Rc
9  36   36 
8 8
Rc  Rc
9 9
⸫ ν3 -> 1 = ν3 -> 2 + ν2 -> 1

3. (a) A hydrogen atom is excited by radiation of wavelength 97.5 nm. Find the principal quantum
number of the excited state. (b) Show that the total number of lines in emission spectrum is
n(n  1)
and compute the total number of possible lines in emission spectrum.
2

GIVEN
λ = 97.5 nm = 97.5 x 10-9 m = 975 x 10-10 m, n = ? no of possible lines = ?

SOLUTION
hc
E = hν =

6.626 X 10 34 X 3 X 108
E eV
975 X 10 10 X 1.6 X 10 19
19.878 X 10  26
E
1560 X 10  29
19878
E  12.74eV
1560
 13.6
En  eV
n2
Given state energy = E’n = -13.6 + 12.74 = - 0.86 eV

For Ground state n = 1 then En1 = -13.6 eV.

16
 Here En = E’n
 13.6
 0.86
n2
 13.6
n2   15.8
 0.86
n2 = 16
n=4
nn  1 4 X 3
Total number of possible lines =  6
2 2

4. Calculate the radius of the earth if the density of the earth is equal to the density of the
nucleus.[mass of earth 5.97 x 1024 kg].

GIVEN
Density of the earth = Density of nucleus; ME = 5.97 x 1024 Kg
ρE = ρN
SOLUTION
M M
 
V 4 R 3
3
M 3 M
E   R 
4 R 3 E
4 
3 E 3 E
24
5.97 X 10
RE3 
4 X 3.14 X 2.3 X 1017
3
5.97 X 10 24
RE3   0.62 X 10 7
9.63 X 1017
RE = 182 m

5. Calculate the mass defect and the binding energy per nucleon of the 108
47 Ag nucleus. [atomic mass
of Ag = 107.905949]

GIVEN
Actual mass of 108
47 Ag
= 107.905949
SOLUTION
Mass of 47 proton (mp) = 47 x 1.007825 amu = 47.367775 u
Mass of 61 neutron (mN) = 61 x 1.008665 amu = 61.528565 u
Total mass of nucleon = (mp) + (mN) = 108.89634 u
Mass defect , ∆m = total mass - actual mass

∆m = 108.89634 - 107.905949 u
∆m = 0.990391 u
1 u = 931 MeV
⸫ Binding energy of 108
47 Ag = 0.990391 x 931 = 922.05 MeV

B.E  922.05
B.E per nucleon  
 A  108
B.E per nucleon = 8.5 MeV.
17
6. Half lives of two radioactive elements A and B are 20 minutes and 40 minutes respectively.
Initially, the samples have equal number of nuclei. Calculate the ratio of decayed numbers of A and
B nuclei after 80 minutes.

GIVEN
A element half life = 20 minutes , B element half life = 40 minutes
NA
After 80 minutes the ratio of decayed number =? , to = N0
NB

SOLUTION
totallife
Number of half life (n) =
halflife
80
For A, n A  4
20
80
For B, nB   2
40
The remaining amount of atom in after every half life is
N0
1T1 
2 2
N
2T1  0
2 4
N
3T1  0
2 8
N
4T1  0
2 16
N 0 15 N 0
Then element A decayed N A  N 0  
16 16
N 0 3N 0
Then element B decayed N B  N 0  
4 4
Now
N A 15 N 0 4 5
 X 
NB 16 3N 0 4
NA 5

NB 4

7. On your birthday, you measure the activity of the sample 210 Bi which has a half-life of 5.01 days.
The initial activity that you measure is 1 μ Ci . (a) What is the approximate activity of the sample on
your next birthday? Calculate (b) the decay constant (c) the mean life (d) initial number of atoms

GIVEN
T1 = 5.01 days, Initial activity R0 = 1μ Ci, Total life = 365 days (1 year)
2

totallife 365
Number of T1 (n) =   73
2 halflife 5.01

18
SOLUTION
n
1
a) Approximate activity of the sample R =   R0
2
73
1
R    X 1Ci = 1.05 x 10-22 μ Ci
2
R = 10-22 μ Ci
b) Decay constant (λ)
0.6931

T1
2

0.6931 0.6931
 
5.01X 24 X 60 X 60 432864
λ = 1.6 x 10-6 s-1.
c) Mean life
T1 5.01
 2

0.9631 0.9631
τ = 7.23 days.
d) Initial number of atoms
R0 = λN0 ( 1 Ci = 3.7 x 1010 decay/second)
R0 1Ci 1X 10 6 X 3.7 X 1010
N0   
 1.6 X 10 6 1.6 X 10 6
N0 = 2.31 x 1010 atoms.

8. C a l c u l a t e t h e t i m e r e q u i r e d f o r 6 0 % o f a s a m p l e o f r a d o n u n d e r g o d e c a y.
Given T1 of radon =3.8 days
2

GIVEN
T1  3.8 days, decayed sample = 60 %
2

SOLUTION
Remaining sample = 40 %
N = N0 e-λt
N0 --> sample present initially
40 N 0 2 N 0
N 
100 5
2N0
 N 0 e  t
5
2 5
 e t  e t   2.5
5 2
Take log both side then,
t  log e2.5
log e2.5 2.302 X log 2.5
t 
 
0.6931
Here  then
T1
2

19
 2.302 X log 2.5 XT1
t 2
0.6931
2.302 X 0.3979 X 3.8
t
0.6931
t = 5.022 days.

9. Assuming that energy released by the fission of a single 235

92 U nucleus is 200 MeV, calculate the

number of fissions per second required to produce 1 watt power.

GIVEN
Energy per fission (En) = 200 MeV = 200 x 106 x 1.6 x 10-19 J,
En = 3.2 x 10-11 J
Required power = 1 watt = 1 J/s,
No of fission requied per second (N) = ?

SOLUTION
Totalenerg yreleasedper sec ond
N
Energyperfission
1 1011 10 X 1010
N  
3.2 X 10 11 3.2 3 .2
N = 3.125 X 1010.

10. Show that the mass of radium ( 226

88 Ra ) with an activity of 1 curie is almost a gram.
Given T1 2 =1600 years.

GIVEN
dN
T1  1600 year = 1600 x 365 x 24 x 60 x 60 second,  1Ci = 3.7 1010 decay/second,
2 dt
226
88 Ra  1g

SOLUTION
dN
 N
dt
1 dN
 N
 dt
0 . 6931
 
T1
2

T 1 dN
 N  2
X
0 . 6931 dt
1600 X 365 X 24 X 60 X 60 X 3.7 X 1010
N
0.6931
21
1.8669 X 10
N
0.6931
N = 2.694 x 1021.
According to Avagatro’s principle 6.023 x1023 atoms = 226 g of Ra

20
 226 X 2.694 X 10 21
2.694 x 1021 atoms of Ra =
6.023 X 10 23
608.844 X 10 2
=
6.023
= 101.08 X 10-2
2.694 x 1021 atoms of Ra = 1.01 g.

11. Characol pieces of tree is found from an archeological site. The carbon-14 content of this
characol is only 17.5% that of equivalent sample of carbon from a living tree. What is the age of
tree?

GIVEN
N = 17.5 % of N0, T1  5730 year
2

SOLUTION
N = N0 e-λt
17.5
N 0  N 0 e  t
100
17.5 1

100 e t
100 1000 40
e t     5.715
17.5 175 7
Take log both side
λt = loge 5.715
2.302 X log 5.715
t

0.6931

T1
2

2.302 X log 5.715 XT1

t 2
0.6931
2.302 X 0.757 X 5730
t
0.6931
9985.18
t
0.6931
t = 1.44 x 104 years.

21
 9. SEMICONDUCTOR ELECTRONICS
1. The given circuit has two ideal diodes connected as shown in figure below. Calculate the current
flowing through the resistance R1

GIVEN
D1 --> Diode is reverse biased. So it does not allow the current.
D2 --> Diode is forward biased. So it will allow the current.

SOLUTION
R1 and R3 are in series. Then the net resistance is R = R1 + R3= 2 + 2 = 4 Ω
Now the current flow through the resistor R1 is
V 10 5
I  
R 4 2
⸫ I = 2.5 A

2. Four silicon diodes and a 10 Ω resistor are connected as shown in figure below. Each diode has a
resistance of 1Ω. Find the current flows through the 10Ω resistor.

GIVEN
R = 10 Ω, Diode resistance = 1 Ω, battery voltage = 3 V,
Silicon diode barrier potential = 0.7 V, I flows through 10 Ω = ?

SOLUTION
In the figure diode D1 and D4 are is reverse bias. So it does not conduct.
Then the circuit is

In this circuit two diodes connected. So its barrier potential is = 2 x 0.7 = 1.4 V
Then the net potential of the circuit is = 3 - 1.4 = 1.6 V
Total resistance of the circuit = 1 + 10 + 1 = 12 Ω
V 1.6 16
Then current flow through 10 Ω resistance I =  
R 12 120
I = 0.13 A.
22
3. Assuming VCEsat = 0.2 V and β = 50, find the minimum base current (IB) required to drive the
transistor given in the figure to saturation.

GIVEN
VCE = 0.2 V, β = 50, VCC = 3 V, RC = 1 K Ω = 103 Ω, IB = ?

SOLUTION
VCC = RCIC + VCE
RCIC = VCE - VCC
V V 3  0.2
I C  CC CE 
RC 1X 103
IC = 2.8 X 10-3 A
I I 2.8 X 10 3
  C  IB  C 
IB  50
β = 5.6 x 10-5
β = 5.6 μA

4. A transistor having α =0.99 and VBE = 0.7V, is given in the circuit. Find the value of the collector
current.

GIVEN
α = 0.99 , VBE = 0.7 V, VCC = 12 V, IC = ?

SOLUTION
According to Kirchoff’s law

(IC + IB ) 1 K + ( IB ) 10K + (IC + IB ) 1 K = VCC - VBE

2 (IC + IB ) 1 K + ( IB ) 10K = VCC - VBE
(2 IC + 2 IB + 10 IB ) 1K = VCC - VBE
(2 IC + 12 IB) 1K = VCC - VBE --------> (1)

23
 IC  0.99 0.99
     99
I B 1   1  0.99 0.01
Here
IC
IB 
99
Sub in eqn (1) then
  I C 
2 I C  12 99 1K  12  0.7
  
198I C  12 I C 
  X 103  11.3
 99 
 210 I C  3
 99   11.3 X 10
 
11.3 X 10 3 X 99
IC 
210
IC = 5.33 mA.

5. In the circuit shown in the figure, the BJT has a current gain (β) of 50. For an emitter – base
voltage VEB = 600 mV, calculate the emitter – collector voltage VEC (in volts).

GIVEN
β = 50, VEB = 600 mV = 0.6 V, VE = 3 V,
RB = 60 x 103 Ω, RC = 500 KΩ = 0.5 Ω

SOLUTION
VEB = VE - VB -------> VB = VE - VEB
VB = 3 - 0.6 = 2.4 V
VB = 2.4 V
VB 2 .4 24 X 10 5
IB   
RB 60 X 103 6
IB = 4 X10-5
IB = 40 μA
IC = β IB = 50 X 40 = 200 μA
IC = 2 mA
VC = IC RC
= 2 x 10-3 x 0.5 x 103
VC = 1 V
VEC = VE - VC = 3 - 1
VEC = 2 V.

24