XII 22 Phy CH 15

Std.
XII - 2022 : Physics

Ch.15 - Structures of Atoms and Nuclei
Syllabus : Thomson’s atomic model , Geiger  Marsden experiment, Rutherford’s atomic model,
Atomic spectra, Bohr’s atomic model, Atomic nucleus, Nuclear binding energies, Radioactive
decays, Law of radioactive decay, Average life of radioactive species. Nuclear energy .
Ernest Rutherford Chemist and physicist Ernest Rutherford was born August 30,
1871, in Spring Grove, New Zealand. A pioneer of nuclear physics and the first to split
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the atom, Rutherford was awarded the 1908 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his theory of
atomic structure. Dubbed the “Father of the Nuclear Age,” Rutherford died in
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Cambridge, England, on October 19, 1937.
MODULE 1
MODULE SYNOPSIS
15.1.1 Introduction
15.1.2 Thomson’s atomic model
15.1.3
15.1.4
15.1.5
15.1.6
Atomic spectra
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Geiger  Marsden experiment
Rutherford’s atomic model
Bohr’s atomic model  radii of the orbits, energy of the electrons, limitations
of Bohr’s model  de Broglie’s explanation.
Theory Questions
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1. What is Dalton’s atomic theory ?
A. According Dalton’s atomic theory (i) matter is made up of indestructible particles, (ii)
atoms of a given element are identical and (iii) atoms can combine with other atoms
to form new substances.
2. Describe Thomson’s experiment using glass vacuum tubes.
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A. Thomson performed several experiments with glass vacuum tube wherein a voltage was
applied between two electrodes inside an evacuated tube. The cathode was seen to emit
rays which produced a glow when they struck the glass behind the anode. By studying
the properties of these rays, he concluded that the rays are made up of negatively
charged particles which he called electrons. This demonstrated that atoms are not
indestructible. They contain electrons which are emitted by the cathode.
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3. Describe Thomson’s atomic model.

A. Thomson proposed his model of an atom in 1903. According to this model an atom is
a sphere having a uniform positive charge in which electrons are embedded. This
model is referred to as Plum-pudding model. The total positive charge is equal to the
total negative charge of electrons in the atom, rendering it electrically neutral. As the
whole solid sphere is uniformly positively charged, the positive charge cannot come
out and only the negatively charged electrons which are small, can be emitted. The
model also explained the formation of ions and ionic compounds.
However, further experiments on structure of atoms, showed the distribution of
charges to be very different from what was proposed in Thomson’s model.
Std.XII.22/SB/Phy/Set-IV/P-II/Ch.15/Pg.1
(2) Vidyalankar : Std. XII  Physics
4. Describe GeigerMarsden experiment.

A. A sketch of the experimental set up is shown in Figure.
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Alpha particles from a source were collimated, i.e., focused into a narrow beam, and
were made to fall on a gold foil. The scattered particles produced scintillations on the
surrounding screen. The scintillations could be observed through a microscope which
could be moved to cover different angles with respect to the incident beam. It was
found that most alpha particles passed straight through the foil while a few were
deflected (scattered) through various scattering angles. A typical scattering angle is
shown by  in the figure. Only about 0.14 % of the incident alpha particles were
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scattered through angles larger than 0.1. Even out of these, most were deflected
through very small angles. About one alpha particle in 8000 was deflected through
angle larger than 90 and a fewer still were deflected through angles as large as 180.
5. Explain why Thomson’s model could not explain the results of Geiger Marsden’s
experiment.
A. Results of Geiger-Marsden’s experiment could not be explained by Thomson’s
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model. In that model, the positive charge was uniformly spread over the large sphere
constituting the atom. The volume density of the positive charge would thus be very
small and all of the incident alpha particles would get deflected only through very
small angles.
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6. How Rutherford explained the results of Geiger Marsden experiment ?

A. Rutherford argued that the alpha particles which were deflected back must have
encountered a massive particle with large positive charge so that it was repelled
back. From the fact that extremely small number of alpha particles turned back while
most others passed through almost undeflected, he concluded that the positively
charged particle in the atom must be very small in size and must contain most of the
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mass of the atom.
7. Explain Rutherford’s model of an atom.

A. He proposed that the entire positive charge and most (99.9%) of the mass of an atom
is concentrated in the central nucleus and the electrons revolve around it in circular
orbits, similar to the revolution of the planets around the Sun in the Solar system. The
revolution of the electrons was necessary as without it, the electrons would fall into
the positively charged nucleus and the atom would collapse. The space between the
orbits of the electrons (which decide the size of the atom) and the nucleus is mostly
empty.
Notes on Structures of Atoms and Nuclei (3)
8. What difficulties were faced by Rutherford’s atomic model ?

OR
What are the drawbacks of Rutherford’s atomic model ?
A. Rutherford’s model faced the following difficulties :
We know from Maxwell’s equations that an accelerated charge emits electromagnetic
radiation. An electron in Rutherford’s model moves uniformly along a circular orbit
around the nucleus. Even though the magnitude of its velocity is constant, its
direction changes continuously and so the motion is an accelerated motion. Thus, the
electron should emit electromagnetic radiation continuously.
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Also, as it emits radiation, its energy would decrease and consequently, the radius of
its orbit would decrease continuously. It would then spiral into the nucleus, causing
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the atom to collapse and lose its atomic properties. As the electron loses energy, its
velocity changes continuously and the frequency of the radiation emitted would also
change continuously as it moves towards the nucleus. None of these things are
observed. Firstly, most atoms are very stable and secondly, they do not constantly
emit electromagnetic radiation of varying frequency.
9. What is a continuous spectrum ? How it is obtained ?

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A. A spectrum which contains all wavelength of light is called as continuous spectrum.
When a metallic object is heated to high temperature it emits light which gives
continuous spectrum when passed through a prism.
10. Discuss the radiation emitted by hydrogen gas when heated to high temperature.
A. The emitted radiation has only a few selected wavelengths and when passed through
a prism we get what is called a line spectrum as shown for the visible range in Figure.
It shows that hydrogen emits radiations of wavelengths 410, 434, 486 and 656 nm
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and does not emit any radiation with wavelengths in between these wavelengths.
The lines seen in the spectrum are called emission lines.
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Hydrogen atom also emits radiation at some other values of wavelengths in the
ultraviolet (UV), the infrared (IR) and at longer wavelengths. The spectral lines can be
divided into groups known as series with names of the scientists who studied them.
The series, starting from shorter wavelengths and going to larger wavelengths are
called Lyman series, Balmer series, Paschen series, Brackett series, Pfund series,
etc. In each series, the separation between successive lines decreases as we go
towards shorter wavelength and they reach a limiting value. Schematic diagrams for
the first three series are shown in below Figure. The limiting value of the wavelength
for each series is shown by dotted lines in the figure.
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The observed wavelengths of the emission lines are found to obey the relation.
1 1 1 
= R  2  2  …(1)
  n m 
Here  is the wavelength of a line, R is a constant and n and m are integers. n = 1, 2,
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3, ….. respectively, for Lyman, Balmer, Paschen…. Series, while m takes all integral
values greater than n for that series. The wavelength decreases with increase in m.
The difference in wavelengths of successive lines in each series (fixed value of n)

can be calculated from Eq. (1) and shown to decrease with increase in m.
*11. State the postulates of Bohr’s atomic model.

A. The following are the three postulates of Bohr’s atomic model “
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1. The electrons revolve around the nucleus in circular orbits.
2. The radius of the orbit of an electron can only take certain fixed values such that
the angular momentum of the electron in these orbits is an integral multiple of
h/2π, h being the Planck’s constant.
3. An electron can make a transition from one of its orbit to another orbit having
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lower energy. In doing so, it emits a photon of energy equal to the difference in
its energies in the two orbits.
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12. Derive the expression for radius of n Bohr Orbit and show that it is proportional to n .
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A. Let the mass of the electron be me, its velocity in the n stable orbit be vn and the
radius of its orbit be rn. The angular momentum is then mevnrn and according to the
second postulate above, we can write
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h
mevnrn = n …(1)
2
The positive integer n is called the principal quantum number of the electron. The
centripetal force necessary for the circular motion of the electron is provided by the
electrostatic force of attraction between the electron and the nucleus. Assuming the
atomic number (number of electrons) of the atom to be Z, the total positive charge on
the nucleus is Ze and we can write,
me v n2 Ze2
= …(2)
rn 4 0rn2
Here, ε0 is the permeability of vacuum and e is the electron charge. Eliminating v n

from the Eq.(1) and Eq.(2), we get,
men2h2 Ze2
=
4 mern
2 2 3
4 0rn2
n2h2  0
 rn = …(3)
me Ze2
2
Equation (3) shows that the radius of the orbit is proportional to n , i.e., the square of
the principal quantum number. The radius increases with increase in n. The hydrogen
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atom has only one electron, i.e., Z is 1. Substituting the values of the constants h, ε0,
m and e in Eq.(3), we get, for n = 1, r1 = 0.053 nm. This is called the Bohr radius and
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is denoted by
h2 0
a0 = .
me e2
This is the radius of the smallest orbit of the electron in hydrogen atom. From Eq. (3),
we can write,
2
r n = a0 n …(4)
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A. According to Bohr’s first postulate,
me Vn2
=
1 e2

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13. Show that the speed of the electron in n Bohr orbit is inversely proportional to the
principal quantum number.
rn 4 0 rn2
e2
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 me Vn2rn = …(1)
40
From Bohr’s second postulate
nh
meVnrn = …(2)
2
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Dividing Eq. (1) by Eq. (2) ,

e2 2  e2  1
Vn =  =  
40 nh  2 0  n
Since e and  are constants,
1
Vn 
Vi
n
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Hence the speed of the electron in the n Bohr Orbit is inversely proportional to the
principal quantum number.
*14. Determine the maximum angular speed of an electron moving in a stable orbit
around the nucleus of hydrogen atom.
A. The radius of the nth Bohr Orbit is given by
0h2n2
rn = …(1)
me e2
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The speed of the electron in the n Bohr Orbit is given by
e2
vn = …(2)
20n
The angular speed in the nth Bohr Orbit will be given by
v
n = n
rn
Putting the values of rn and vn from Eqs. (1) and (2) we get
e2 m e2
n =  e2 2
20n 0h n
r
 me e4  1
=  2 2  3
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 20h  n
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This is the expression for angular speed of our electron in the n Bohr Orbit.
It shows that the angular speed is inversely proportional to the cube of the principal
quantum number
1
 n  3
n
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15. How does the frequency and period of revolution of electron vary with principal
quantum number ?
A. The angular speed  is related to the principal quantum number n as
n  3
n
1
1
n = 2 fn  3
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n
1
 fn  3
n
1
T=
f
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 Tn
3
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16. Derive the expression for energy of an electron in n Bohr Orbit.
A. The total energy of an orbiting electron is the sum of its kinetic energy electrostatic
potential energy.
The kinetic energy is given by
1
K.E.= me v n2
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2
The potential energy is given by
Ze2
P.E =
40rn
where me is the mass of the electron, e is the change of the electron, r n is the radius,
vn is the speed, Z is the atomic number of atom.
The total energy is given by
1 Ze2
En = me v n2  …(1)
2 40rn
According Bohr’s first postulate

me v n2 1 Ze2
=  2
rn 40 rn
1 Ze2
 me v n2 = 
40 rn
1 1  1 Ze2 
 K.E. = me v n2 =   
2 2  40 rn 
Putting this value of kinetic energy in Eq. (1) we get
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1  1 Ze2  Ze2 1  1 Ze2 
En =    =   
2  40 rn  40rn 2  40 rn 
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1 Ze2
 En =   …(2)
80 rn
0h2n2
But rn =
me Ze2
Putting this in Eq. (2) we get,

En = 
En = 
1
80
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me Z 2 e 4
8 20h2n2
m Ze2
Ze2  e2 2
0h n
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This is the expression for energy of electron in n Bohr Orbit.
If are substitute the value of the constants in the above equation we get :
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Z2
En = 13.6 2 eV
n
17. What is the total energy of an electron in the ground state of a hydrogen atom ?
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A. The energy of an electron in n Bohr Orbit is given by
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2
Z
En = 13.6 2 eV
n
For hydrogen atom Z = 1 and for ground state n = 1
 E1 = 13.6 eV
Thus the energy of an electron in ground state of hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV.
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18. What is meant by ionization energy of an atom. What is its value for hydrogen atom ?
A. The ionization energy of an atom is the minimum amount of energy required to be
given to an electron in the ground state of that atom to set the electron free.
In the case of hydrogen atom, the energy of electron in the ground state is 13.6 eV.
When the electron is free from the atom and at rest, its potential energy, kinetic
energy and total energy become zero. Hence if we supply an energy of 13.6 eV to
the electron its total energy will become zero. Hence the ionization energy of the
hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV. It is also the binding energy of the electron in the ground
state of the hydrogen atom.
19. What is meant by binding energy of an electron ?

A. The binding energy of an electron is minimum energy required to free it from the
atom.
20. What is meant by excitation energy ?

A. The energy required to take an electron from the ground state to an excited state is
called the excitation energy of the electron in that state.
21. What is the minimum excitation energy for hydrogen atom ?
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A. The energy of the electron in the ground state of hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV. For the
next higher level (n = 2), the energy is 3.4 eV. Hence the energy required to go from
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(n = 1) to (n = 2) level, the energy required is 3.4  (13.6) = 10.2 eV. This is the
minimum excitation energy for hydrogen atom.
22. Using the expression for energy of an electron, obtain the Rydberg’s formula for
spectral lines.
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A. According Bohr’s third postulate, when an electron makes a transition from m to n
orbit (m > n), the excess energy Em  En is emitted in the form of a photon of energy
h. an th
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The energy of the electron in the n orbit is given by
Z2 m e4
The energy of the electron in the m orbit is given by Em =  2 2e 2 .
80h m
Z 2 me e 4
En = 
8 20h2n2
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Z2me e4  Zm e4 
 h =     2 e2 2 
80h m
2 2 2
 80h n 
Z2me e4  1 1 
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= 2 2  2
 2 
80h  n m 
hc Z2me e4  1 1  c
 = 2 2  2
 2  [  = ]
 80h  n m  
1 Z2me e4  1 1 
  2  2 
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=
 80h c  n m 
2 3
me e 4
But = RH = Rydberg’s constant
820h3 c
RH = 1.097  10 m1
7
1  1 1 
 = RZ2  2  2 
  n m 
This is the Rydberg’s formula for spectral lines.
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23. Starting from the formula for energy of an electron in the n orbit of hydrogen atom,
derive the formula for the wavelengths of Lyman and Balmer series spectral lines and
determine the shortest wavelengths of lines in both these series.
A. See Q. 22 for derivation of Rydberg’s formula.
For hydrogen atom Z = 1
1 1 1 
 = RH  2  2 
 n m 
For Lyman series n = 1 and m= 2, 3, 4, ….
1 1 1 
 = R  2  2 
r
  1 m 
1  1 
= R 1 2 
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or
  m 
For Balmer series n = 2 and m = 3, 4, 5, ….

1  1 1 
 = RH  2  2 
 2 m 
1 1 1 
= RH   2 
or
 4 m  an
The shortest wavelength is obtained when m = 
For Lyman series, the shortest wavelength is given by

1  1
= RH  1  = RH
  
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1
  =
RH
For Balmer series, the shortest wavelength is given by

1 1 1 R
= RH    = H
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  4   4
4
  =
RH
24. Show that the frequency of the first line in Lyman series is equal to the difference
between the limiting frequencies of Lyman and Balmer series.
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A. According to Rydberg’s formula for spectral lines we have

1 1 1 
= RH Z2  2  2 
 n m 
 1 1  C
or = RH Z2  2  2  [  = ]
C  n m  
1 1 
or  = RHCZ2  2  2 
n m 
For first line of Lyman series we have n = 1, m = 2

 1
1 1
 1 = RHCZ2  2  2  = RHCZ 1 4 
2
1 2 
3
 1 = RHCZ 2 …(1)
4
Limiting frequency of Lyman series is given by
 1 1
L = RHCZ2  2   = RHCZ
2
r
 1 
 L = RHCZ
2
…(2)
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Limiting frequency of Balmer series is given by
 1 1 R CZ 2
B = RHCZ 2  2   = H
2  4
RHCZ 2
 B = …(3)
4
= 1
R CZ 2
 L  B = RHCZ 2  H
4
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= RHCZ 2
4
[using Eq. (1)]
25. Draw a labeled energy level diagram of hydrogen atom and show different spectral
series.
A.
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26. State limitations of Bohr’s model.

A. Bohr’s model had the following limitations :
(i) It could not explain the line spectra of atoms other than hydrogen. Even for
hydrogen, more accurate study of the observed spectra showed multiple
components in some lines which could not be explained on the basis of this
model.
(ii) The varying intensities of the emission lines could not be explained by this
model.
(iii) There was no theoretical basis for condition for stable orbits.
27. Explain how Bohr’s second postulate was explained by de Broglie.

A. De Broglie suggested that instead of considering the orbiting electrons inside atoms
as particles, we should consider them as standing waves. Like standing waves in a
string, the length of the orbit of an electron should be an integral multiple of its
wavelength.
Hence we can write
2rn = nn where n = 1, 2, 3, ….
2rn
 n = …(1)
n
r
The de Broglie wavelength of the electron is given by
h h
n = =
ka
pn mv n
Substituting this value in Eq. (1), we get
h 2rn
=
mv n n
h
 m v n rn = n
2
integral multiple of
h
2
.
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This is the second postulates of Bohr’s atomic model. The angular momentum is the
28. State the name of visible series in hydrogen spectrum. [March 2020]
A. Balmer series.
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Solved Problems
1. An electron in hydrogen atom stays in its second orbit for 108 s. How many
revolutions will it make around the nucleus in that time?
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Solution :
z = 1, m = 9.1  1031 kg, e = 1.6  1019 C, 0 = 8.85  1012 C /Nm ,
2 2
h = 6.63  1034 Js., n = 2, t = 108 s

The periodic time of the electron in a hydrogen atom,
4 20h3n3
T =
me4
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(4)(8.8510 12 ) 2 (6.63 10 34) 3(8)

=
(3.142)(9.110 31)(1.6 10 19) 4
(4)(8.85)2 (6.63)3 (8)

= 1019 s = 3.898  1016 s
(3.142)(9.1)(1.6)4
Let N be the number of revolutions made by the electron in time t. Then, t = NT.
t 108
 N = 2.565  10
7
= =
T 3.8981016
2. Determine the series limit of Balmer, Paschen and Pfund series, given the limit for
Lyman series is 912 Å.
Solution :
Lx = 912 Å
1  1 1 
For hydrogen spectrum, = RH  2  2 
 n m 
1  1 1
 = RH  2   = RH …(1)
 L 1  
as n = 1 and m = 
r
1 1 1 R
= RH    = H …(2)
   4   4
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as n = 2 and m = 
1 1 1 R
= RH    = H …(3)
Pa 9  9
as n = 3 and m = 
1  1 1 R
= RH    = H …(4)
Pf  25   25
as n = 5 and m = 
 L
=
RH
RH / 4
=4
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From Eqs. (1) and (2), we get
B
 B = 4L = (4) (912) = 3648 Å

This is the series limit of the Balmer series
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Pa RH
= =9
 L RH / 9
 Pa = 9 L = (9) (912) = 8208 Å
This is the series limit of the Paschen series
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Pf RH
= = 25
L RH / 25
 Pf = 25 L = (25) (912) = 22800 Å
This is the series limit of the pfund series.
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3. The wavelength of H line in the Hydrogen spectrum is 6561  1010 m. Calculate the
wavelength of the H line.
Solution :
For lines in Balmer series,
1 1 1 
R  2 
  4 n2 
1  1 1  5R
For H line, R   ( n2 = 3)
  4 9  36
1  1 1  3R
For H line, R   ( n2 = 4)
  4 16  16
 5R 16 20
   
 36 3R 27
20 20
  =    65611010 = 4860  1010 m.
27 27
4. Calculate the energy of the photon emitted and the longest and shortest wavelengths
r
in the Lyman series of H2 spectrum.
[Data : R = 1.097  10 m1 ; h = 6.63  1034 Js ; c = 3  10 m/s ; 1 eV = 1.6  1019 J ]
7 8
ka
Solution :
For Lyman spectral series of H2, we have
1  1 1
R 2  2  with n1 = 1 and n2 = 2, 3, 4 ….. 
  n1 n2 
 =
1
 1 4  4
4
31.09710 7
an
For the longest wavelength, n1 = 1 and n2 = 2.
1 1 3 3
R   R 1.097107 m1
4
= 1.215  107 m = 1215 A
hc 6.6310 34 310 8

Energy of photon = h = = = 10.23 e V
 121510 10 1.610 19
al
For the shortest wavelength n1 = 1 and n2 = 
1 1
 = R = 1.097  10 m1  =
7
= 911 A
 1.09710 7
dy
This wavelength is called Series Limit.

hc 6.63  
Energy of photon, E = h = = = 13.6 eV.
 91110 10 1.610 19
5. The shortest wavelength line in Lyman series is 912 Å. Compute the wavelength of
the shortest wavelength line in (i) Balmer series and (ii) Paschen series.
Vi
Solution :
1 1 1
Lyman series is given by  R  2  2 
 1 n 
For the shortest wavelength line, n = 
1  1 1 1
  R 2    = R, [R is Rydberg’s constant]
 1   
1 1
 R   912
912 R
i) For the shortest wavelength line in the Balmar series,

1   1
= R 2  
  2  
1 R
 =
 4
4
  =  4  912  3648 Å
R
ii) For the shortest wavelength line in Paschen series,
1  1 1
r
= R 2  
 3 
1 R
ka
 =
 9
9
  = = 9  912 = 8208 Å
R
*6. Find the longest wavelength in the Paschen series. [R = 1.097  10 m1]
7
Solution :
Data : R = 1.097  10 m1
1

 1 1
 R 2  2 
 nf ni 
7 an
For the longest wavelength line in the Paschen series,
Ni = 4 and nf = 3.
al
1  1 1  1 1   7 


 R  2  2   R    R  144 
 (3) (4)   9 16   
144 144
    18.75  10 7 m  18750 Å
dy
7R 7  1.097  107
*7. Find the ratio of the longest to shortest wavelengths in the Paschen series.
Solution :
1  1 1
 R 2  2 
  nf ni 
Vi
For the Paschen series, nf = 3. For the longest wavelength (), ni = 4 while for the
shortest wavelength (), ni = .
1  1 1  7R
  R  
  9 16  144
1 R
and 
 9
 R/9 144
    2.2857
  7R/144 63
PROBLEMS
Classwork Problems :
1. The wavelength of the H (first line) in the Balmer series in hydrogen spectrum is
6561Å. Find the Rydberg’s constant.
2. The shortest wavelength line in the Lyman series is 912 Å. Compute the wavelength
of the shortest wavelength line in the Balmer series and the Paschen series.
3. Find the shortest and longest wavelength of spectral line in the Balmer series of the
hydrogen atom.
r
4. The H line of the Balmer series has a wavelength 4860 Å. Calculate the wavelength
of H line.
ka
5. Calculate the energy of the photon emitted and the longest and shortest wavelengths
in the Lyman series of H2 spectrum. R = 1.097  10 m1; h = 6.63  1034 Js;
7
19
c = 3  10 m/s; 1 eV = 1.6  10 J.
8
6. The wavelength of the longest line of the Balmer series is 6560 A.U. Calculate the
wavelength of the first line of (i) Lyman series (ii) Paschen series
7. In the case of H2 atom, for the transition n = 5 to n = 1 what are the energy,
wavelength and frequency of the emitted photon?
an
8. Find the ratio of longest to shortest wavelength in Paschen series.
9. Energy of an electron in the second Bohr orbit is 3.4 eV. Calculate the energy of an
electron of an electron in the third Bohr orbit.
Homework Problems :
[March 2020]
1. Find the wavelength of H (third line) in the Balmer series.

al
(Given: RH = 1.097  10 m1)
7
2. The wavelength of the second member of the Paschen series in hydrogen spectrum
is 12810 Å. Find the wavelength of the first member of the Paschen series.
3. The wavelength of the H line of Balmer series is 6560 A.U. Calculate the wavelength
of the first line of (a) Lyman series and (b) Paschen series.
dy
4. The H line in the Balmer series of hydrogen has a wavelength of 6562.8 Å.

Calculate the Rydberg constant.
5. The first member of the Balmer series of hydrogen atom has a wavelength of 6563 Å.
Find the wavelength of the second and third members of the same series.
6. The energy of an electron in the first Bohr orbit of H 2 atom is 13.6 eV and its energy
Vi
in the 4 orbit is 0.85 eV. Find Rydberg constant.

th
[h = 6.6  1034Js, c = 3  10 m/s, 1eV = 1.6  1019J]

8
7. Find the frequency and energy of the most energetic photon in the hydrogen spectrum.
8. The series limit for Lyman series is 912 Å. Find series limit for Paschen and Brackett
series.
9. Find the longest wavelength in Paschen series. (Given R = 1.097  10 m1)
7
10. Find the ratio of longest wavelength in Paschen series to shortest wavelength in
Balmer series. [July 2017]
Classwork Problems
1. 1.097  10 m1
7
2. 3648 Å, 8208Å
3. 3.633  107m, 6.545  107m 4. 6561 Å 5. 13.6 eV
7. 13.1 eV; 94.9 nm; 3.16  10 Hz
15
6. 1214.8 A.U.; 18742.8 A.U.
8. 2.286:1 9. 1.51 eV
r
Homework Problems
ka
1. 4341 Å 2. 18740 Å 3. 1214.8 Å, 18742 Å
4. 1.097  10 m1 6. 1.09  10 m1
7 7
5. 4861.5 Å & 4340.6 Å
7. 3.291  10 Hz, 13.6 eV
15
36
8. B = 16  912 Å = 14592 Å 9. 18752 Å 10.
7
MODULE 2
MODULE SYNOPSIS
15.2.1
an
Atomic nucleus  constituents of a nucleus, sizes of nuclei, nuclear forces
15.2.2 Nuclear binding energies
15.2.3 Radioactive decays
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15.2.4 Law of radioactive decay
15.2.5 Average life of radioactive species
Theory Questions
dy
29. What are the constituents of a nucleus? Compare their masses and charge.
A. The nucleus of an atom is made up of particles called protons and neutrons.
Together protons and neutrons are referred as nucleons. Mass of a proton is about
1836 times mass of an electron. Mass of a neutron is nearly same, but slightly higher
than that of a proton. Proton is positively charged. The magnitude of its charge is
same as that of an electron. The neutron is electrically neutral.
Vi
30. Define (i) Atomic number (ii) Mass number. How they are represented with the
symbol of the element ?
A. (i) Atomic number : The number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom is
called its atomic number. It is denoted by Z.
(ii) Mass number : The sum of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an
atom is called its mass number. It is denoted by A.
A = Z + N, where N is the number of neutrons.
A
For an element X, the atomic number and mass number are represented as Z X.
12
For example : 6 C
31. Define (i) Isotopes (ii) Isobars (iii) Isotones. Give examples of each.
A. (i) Isotopes : The atoms having same number of protons but different number of
neutrons are called isotopes. For example, 11H(hydrogen) , 12 H(deuterium),
3
1 H(tritium);  32 He, 42He .
(ii) Isobars : The atoms having same mass number but different atomic number are
called isobars.
For example, 13 H, 32He;14
6 C, 7 N
14
(iii) Isotones : Atoms having same number of neutrons but different atomic
numbers are called isotones.
r
For example, 13 H, 24He; 94Be,10
5 B
ka
32. What are the different units used for measuring masses of atoms and subatomic
particles? Explain them.
A. Masses of atoms and subatomic particles are measured in three different units.
(i) First unit is kilogram (kg). This is commonly used unit for measuring mass.
For example mass of an electron me = 9.1  1031 kg,
mass of a proton = 1.67  1027 kg
(ii) Second unit is unified atomic mass unit (u). One atomic mass unit is equal to
 1
 
th
an
 12  of the mass of a neutral carbon atom having atomic number 12, if its
lowest electronic state.
1u = 1.6605402  1027 kg
In this unit the masses of electron and proton are given as
me = 0.00055 u and mp = 1.007825 u
al
(iii) The third unit is in terms of energy equivalent of mass. According to Einstein’s
2
mass energy relation, a mass m is equivalent to energy E = mc . The energy is
2
expressed in MeV/c . In this unit the masses of electron and proton are given as
2
me = 0.511 MeV/c
2
mp = 938.28 MeV/c
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33. How is the radius of a nucleus related to its mass number ?

A. The volume of the nucleus is proportional to the number of nucleons present in it i.e.
its mass number A. Hence the radius of the nucleus will be proportional to the cube
root of A. Experimentally, it has been found that the radius R of the nucleus is given
by
R = R0 A where R0 = 1.2  1015 m
1/3
Vi
34. Show that the nuclear density is same for all the nuclei.
A. Since mass of a proton and a neutron is nearly same, let m be the average mass of a
nucleon. If A is the mass number of the nucleus than total mass of the nucleus is mA.
4
If R is radius of the nucleus, then the volume of the nucleus is R3 .
3
Hence the density  of the nucleus is given by
mA 3mA
= = …(1)
4
R 3 4R3
3
 R = R 30 A
1/3 3
but R = R0A
3
Putting this value of R in Eq. (1) we get
3mA 3m
= = = constant
4R 30 A 4R30
Since , m and R0 are constant.
Hence nuclear density is constant for all nuclei.
35. What is a nuclear force ? State its properties.

A. It is one of the four fundamental forces which acts between the nucleons and
r
determines the structure of the nucleus. The nuclear force has the following
properties :
ka
1. It is the strongest force among subatomic particles. Its strength is about 50-60
times larger than that of the electrostatic force.
2. Unlike the electromagnetic and gravitational forces which act over large
distances (their range is infinity), the nuclear force has a range of about a few fm
and the force is negligible when two nucleons are separated by larger distances.
3. The nuclear force is independent of the charge of the nucleons, i.e., the nuclear
force between two neutrons with a given separation is the same as that between
an
two protons or between a neutron and a proton at the same separation.
36. What is meant by binding energy of a nucleus ?
A. The minimum amount of energy required to separate the nucleons from each other is
called as the binding energy of the nucleons.
37. What is meant by mass defect ? How is it related to the binding energy of the nucleus ?
A. The mass of the nucleus is found to be less than the sum of the masses of the
al
constituent nucleons. This difference in mass is known as mass defect. Let M be the
mass of the nucleus, mp the mass of proton and mn the mass of neutron. Let A be the
mass number and Z be the atomic number of the nucleus. N = A  Z is the number of
neutrons. The mass of the nucleons = Z mp + N mn
 Mass defect m = (Z mp + N mn)  M
dy
Energy has to be supplied to the nucleus to separate the nucleons from each other.
This is the binding energy of the nucleus. This energy is converted into mass and
hence the mass of the separated nucleons is greater than the mass of the nucleus.
The energy equivalent of the mass defect is the binding energy of the nucleus.
 Binding energy EB = mc = (Z mp + Nmn  M)c
2 2
38. Define binding energy per nucleon what is its significance?

Vi
A. Binding energy per nucleon is the average energy which has to be supplied to a
nucleon to remove it from the nucleus and make it free. If EB is the binding energy of
the nucleus and A its mass number then
E
Binding energy per nucleon = B
A
Binding energy per nucleon allows us to compare the relative strength with which
nucleons are bound in a nucleus for difference species and therefore compare their
E
stability. Nuclei with higher values of B are more stable compared to the nuclei
A
having smaller values of this quantity.
39. Draw the graph showing variation of binding energy per nucleon with the mass
number. What inferences can be drawn from this graph ?
A. Binding energy per nucleon for different values of A (i.e., for nuclei of different
elements) are plotted in Figure.
r
ka
Deuterium nucleus has the minimum value of EB/A and is therefore, the least stable
nucleus. The value of EB/A increases with increase in atomic number and reaches a
plateau for A between 50 to 80. Thus, the nuclei of these elements are the most
an
stable among all the species. The peak occurs around A = 56 corresponding to iron,
which is thus one of the most stable nuclei. The value of EB/A decreases gradually for
values of A greater than 80, making the nuclei of those elements slightly less stable.
Note that the binding energy of hydrogen nucleus having a single proton is zero.
40. What is radioactivity? What is meant by parent nucleus and daughter nucleus?
A. Radioactivity is the phenomenon in which an unstable nucleus changes into another
nucleus by emission of particles. The nucleus which emits the particles is called the
al
parent nucleus and the nucleus which is produced after emission is called the
daughter nucleus.
41. Explain alpha decay.
A. In alpha () decay the parent nucleus emits an alpha particle which is a helium
dy
nucleus having two protons and two neutrons. The decay can be expressed as
4
Z X ZA2 Y
A
X is the parent nucleus and Y is the daughter nucleus. All nuclei with A > 210
undergo alpha decay.
42. Explain why nuclei with A > 120 undergo decay ?

Vi
A. All nuclei with A > 210 undergo alpha decay. The reason is that these nuclei have a
large number of protons. The electrostatic repulsion between them is very large and
the attractive nuclear forces between the nucleons are not able to cope with it. This
makes the nucleus unstable and it tries to reduce the number of its protons by
ejecting them in the form of alpha particles.
43. Explain beta () decay and beta plus decay.

A. Beta decay : In  decay the nucleus emits an electron and an antineutrino. A neutron
in the nucleus is converted into a proton, an electron and an antineutrino. The basic
process which takes place inside the parent nucleus is
n  p + e + antineutrino
During beta decay the number of nucleons, that is the mass number of the nucleus
remains unchanged, atomic number increases by one. Beta decay can be written as
Z X
A
 zAYe  antineutrino

Example : 60
27 Co
 60
28Nie antineutrino
Beta plus decay :

In this decay, the nucleus emits a positron and a neutrino. A proton in the nucleus is
converted into a positron and neutron. The basic process which takes place inside
the nucleus is
r
p   n + e+ + neutrino
The mass number of the nucleus remains unchanged, the atomic number decreases
ka
by one. The decay can be written as
Z X
A
 ZA1Ye  neutrino
Example : 22
11 Na
10
22
Nee  neutrino
44. Is it possible for a free proton to decay into a neutron and a positron? Explain.
A. It is not possible for a free proton to decay into a neutron and positron. This is
an
because the mass of a neutron is higher than that of proton. However it can happen if
the proton is inside the nucleus as the extra energy needed to produce a neutron can
be obtained from the rest of the nucleus.
45. What is QValue ?

A. The total mass of the products of a decay is less than that of parent nucleus. The
excess mass appears as the kinetic energy of the products. The difference in the
al
energy equivalents of the mass of the parent atom and that of the sum of the masses
of the product is called the Qvalue of the decay and is equal to the kinetic energy of
the products.
For an decay, Q = [mx  my  mHe]C

2
dy
For a   decay, Q = [mx  my  me]C

2
(mass of neutrino is neglected)
46. Explain gamma decay.

A. In gamma decay, gamma rays are emitted by the parent nucleus. Gamma ray is a
high energy photon. As no other particle is emitted the daughter nucleus is same as
parent nucleus, but is has less energy as some energy is lost in form of gamma ray.
Vi
Similar to electrons in an atom, the nucleons in the nucleus occupy energy levels with
different energies. A nuclear can make a transition from a higher energy level to a
lower energy level, emitting a photon in the process.
The energy levels in an atom are of the order of a few eV, while those in the case of
a nuclei are of the order of a few KeV to a few MeV. Therefore, whereas the radiation
emitted by atoms are in ultra violet to radio wave region, the radiations emitted by the
nuclei are in the range of gamma rays.
Gamma decay usually occurs when the parent nucleus has undergone  or  decay
and is in an excited state. It comes to the ground state by emission of gamma ray.
47. Explain why a chain of decays takes place?

A. A nucleus emits a particle to attain a stable state. If the daughter nucleus is not stable
it undergoes further decay. A chain of decays takes place until the final daughter
238
nucleus is stable. An example of such a series decay is that of U, which undergoes
a series of alpha and beta decays, 14 times, to finally reach a stable daughter
206
nucleus of Pb.
48. Derive the decay law of radioactivity?

A. Let N(t) be the number of radioactive nuclei present at any time t. Let dN be the
r
number of nuclei which decay in time interval dt. dN will be proportional to N(t) as
well as dt.
Thus, we can write,
ka
dN   N (t) dt,
or dN =  N(t) dt …(1)
where,  is a constant of proportionality called the decay constant. The negative
sign in Eq.(1) indicates that the change in the number of parent nuclei dN, is
negative, i.e., N(t) is decreasing with time.
We can integrate this equation as
N(t)

N0
n
N(t)
N0
dN
N(t)
= t,
an0
t
=   dt ,
Here, N0 is the number of parent atoms at time t = 0. Integration gives,
or, N(t) = N0et …(2)

al
This is the decay law of radioactivity.
49. What is meant by activity of a radioactive material ? What is its unit ?

A. The rate of decay i.e. the number of decays per unit time is called as activity.
dy
dN(t)
Activity A(t) =  = N(t) = N0et
dt
At t = 0, the activity is given by A0 = N0.
Using this, we can write A(t) = A0et
SI unit of activity : Bequerel (Bq)
1 Bq = one decay per second
Another unit of activity : curie (i)
Vi
1Ci = 3.7  10 Bq
10
50. Define halflife of a radioactive material. Obtain the expression for it.
A. Half life of a radioactive substance is defined as the time in which half of the nuclei of
the radioactive substance decay.
According to radioactive decay law we have
N = N0 et
N
at t = T1/2 , N = 0
2
N0
 = N0 et
2
1
 = e T1/2
2
 e T1/2 = 2
n2 0.693
or T1/2 = =
 
51. What is meant by average life of a radioactive substance ? How is it related to the
r
half  life ?
A. Different nuclei of a radioactive substance have different life times. The average of
ka
the life times of all the nuclei is the ratio of the life time of all the nuclei to the number
of nuclei. It can be calculated as follows :
The number of nuclei decaying between the time t and t + dt is given by N0et .dt
Each of them has lived for time t. Thus the total life of all these nuclei would be
tN0et .dt. Some of these nuclei may live for a short time while others may live
longer.
  =
1
N0 0
t 
an
Therefore obtain the mean or average life, we have to sum (or integrate) this
expression over all times from 0 to  and divide it by the total number of nuclei N 0 at
t = 0.

N0 e t
.dt = 

0 te dt
t
1
Integrating this we get  =

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0.693
We have T1/2 = = 0.693 

Solved Problems
dy
1. The half life of 90

38 Sr is 28 years. Determine the disintegration rate of its 5 mg sample.
Solution :
T1/2 of 90
38 Sr = 28 years
= 28  365  24  60  60 s
= 8.83  10 s
8
0.693 0.693
= 7.847  1010 s1
Vi
 = =
T1/ 2 8.83108
90
The number of nuclei in 5 mg of 38 Sr is
3
510 6.02310 23
= 3.347  10
19
N =
90
dN
Rate of disintegration = = N
dt
= 7.847  1010  3.347  10
19
10 1
= 2.627  10 s
2. What is the amount of 60 27 Co necessary to provide a radioactive source of strength
10.0 mCi, its half-life being 5.3 years ?

Solution :
dN
= 10 mCi = 10  103  3.7  10 s1
10
dt
= 3.7  10 s1
8
T1/2 = 5.3 years = 5.3  3.1536  10 s

7
= 1.67  10 s
8
0.693 0.693
= = 4.1  109 s1
r
=
T1./ 2 1.67108
 dN 
ka
 dt 
 = 3.710 = 8.917  1016
8
N= 
 4.110 9
Mass of 6.023  10 atoms = 60 g
23
 Mass of 8.917  10 atoms

16
608.91710 16
= = 8.884  106 g
6.0231023
9
an 10
3. Disintegration rate of a sample is 10 per hour at 20 hrs from the start. It reduces to
6.3 × 10 per hour after 30 hours. Calculate its half life and the initial number of
radioactive atoms in the sample.
Solution :
10
A1 = 10 /hr , t1 = 20 hr
A2 = 6.3  10 / hr , t2 = 30 hr
9
al
A1 = A0 et , A2 = A 0 e t2
A1
 = e  (t2 t1 )
A2
dy
1010
 =  =e 
(30 20) 10
6.310 9
Taking natural logarithm on both the sides we get

 1010 
n 9 
= 10 
 6.310 
Vi
 10 
2.303 log   = 10 
 6.3 
0.4621 = 10 
  = 0.04621
0.693
T1/2 =  15 hr
0.0462
We have A1 = N0 e t1
 10 = 0.04621  N0 e0.0462 
10 20
1010
 N0 = e0.924
0.0462
 N0 = 2.1645  10  e
11 0.924
Taking natural logarithm on both sides,

 N0 
n 11 
= 0.924
 2.164510 
 N0 
 2.303log  11 
= 0.924
 2.164510 
r
 N0  0.924
log  11 
= = 0.4012
 2.164510  2.303
ka
Taking antilog on both sides,
N0
= antilog 0.4012
2.16451011
N0
 = 2.519
2.16451011
 N0 = 2.519  2.1645  10 = 5.452  10
11 11
Ans. :
57
an
(i) Half  life = 15 hours
(ii) Initial number of atoms = 5.452  10
11
57
4. The isotope Co decays by electron capture to Fe with a halflife of 272 d. The
57
Fe nucleus is produced in an excited state, and it almost instantaneously emits
57
gamma rays (a) Find the mean lifetime and decay constant for Co. (b) If the activity
of a radiation source Co is 2.0 Ci now, how many Co nuclei does the source
57 57
al
contain ? (c) What will be the activity after one year ?
Solution :
57
Half life of Co, T1/2 = 272 days
= 272  24  60  60 s
= 2.35  10 s
7
dy
dN
Activity = = 2.0 Ci
dt
= 2.0  3.7  10  106 s
10
4 1
= 7.4  10 s
T1/ 2 2.3510 7
Vi
(a) Mean lite  = = 3.391  10 s

7
=
0.693 0.693
1 1
 = = = 2.945  108 s1
 3.3910 7
(b) When activity is 2.0 Ci, the number of nuclei is given by

 dN 
 dt 
 = 7.410
4
N =  = 2.513  10
12
 2.94510 8
(c) If A0 is the activity now and A after 1 year then we have

A = A0et
= 1 year = 365  24  3600 s = 3.154  10 s
7
t
A0 = 2Ci
8
 A = 2e 2.9410 3.15410 7
= 2  e0.929
2 2
= 0.929 = = 0.79 Ci
e 2.53
r
5. Half life of a radioactive sample is 22 years. How long will it take to reduce its activity
(1) to 40% (2) by 40%?
ka
Solution :
Activity of a radioactive material is proportional to the number of atoms present at
that instant. Hence the ratio of final and initial activities is N/N 0.
1. From N = N0 et, we therefore get
N 40 1
et   0.4  et =  2.5
N0 100 0.4
0.693

 t = loge 2.5 or
t =
0.963
an T
tloge 2.5
Tloge 2.5 22  2.303 log10 2.5


0.693
N
29.1yrs.

2. Here the activity reduces to 60%, i.e. = 0.6

N0
1 5
al
 et = 
0.6 3
5 0.693 5
 t = loge or tloge 
3 T 3
5 5
Tloge   22  2.303log 
dy
3   3   16.37years.
 t =
0.693 0.693
232
6. Find the number of alpha and beta particles emitted when 90Th is converted into
224
88Ra .
Solution :
When an  particle is emitted by a radioactive nucleus, the atomic number decreases
Vi
by 2 and the mass number decreases by 4. When a  particle (electron) is emitted,

the atomic number increases by 1 and the mass number is unaffected.
Let the number of  particles emitted be x and the number of  particles emitted be
y. We then have
90  2x + y = 88
and 232  4x = 224
On solving (1) and (2) x = 2 and y = 2
Hence the number of  and  particles emitted is 2 each.
7. Calculate the mass of Radium (Atomic mass = 226) having an activity of

1 microcurie. Half life of Radium is 1620 years. Avogadro’s number = 6.03  10
26
per K mole. Take 1 year = 365 days.

Solution :
0.693 0.693
=   1.361011s 1
T 1620 365  24  3600
Also activity is given by
dN
 N
dt
r
N is the number of atoms having an activity of 1 C
1 micro curie (C) = 3.7  10  106 = 3.7  10 d.p.s.
10 4
ka

1dN 1
N= numerically =  3.7  104  2.72  1015 atoms.
dt 1.361011
Since 6.03  10 atoms weigh 226 kg. 2.72  10
26 15
atoms weigh
2.72  1015  226

 1.02  109 kg.
6.031026
an
Hence the mass of Radium having an activity of 1 C is 1.02  109 kg.
8. Calculate the minimum energy required to break up a deuteron into a proton and a
1 1 2
neutron. Given : 1H =1.007825 u : 0n = 1.008665 u and 1H = 2.014102 u.
Solution :
Mass of proton + mass of neutron = 1.007825
+ 1.008665
al
2.016490u
Mass of deuteron = 2.014102u
 Mass defect = (2.016490  2.014102) u
= 0.002388u = 0.002388  931.48 = 2.224 MeV.
dy
This energy is liberated when a deuteron is assembled from a free proton and a
neutron. To break a deuteron into a proton and neutron we must supply, therefore,
a minimum of 2.224 MeV of energy.
16
9. Find the mass defect, binding energy and binding energy per nucleon for 8O .
(Given : mp = 1.007825u, mn = 1.0087u, mass of oxygen nucleus = 16.0000u)
Vi
Solution:
The oxygen nucleus has 8 protons and 8 neutrons.
Sum of the masses of 8 protons (mp = 1.007825u) and 8 neutrons (mn = 1.0087 u) is
(8.0626 + 8.0696) = 16.1322u.
Mass defect m  = 0.1322u  0.1322  931 = 123.0782 MeV
123.0782
Binding energy per nucleon =  7.6924MeV
16
238
10. Calculate the energy released by one gram of U in the reaction
+ 0n  56Ba + 36Kr + 3 0n . The masses involved are as follows:
235 1 141 92 1
92U
235
Mass of U = 235.0439 u
92
Mass of Kr = 91.8854 u
141
Mass of Ba = 140.9178 u
1
Mass of 0n = 1.0087 u
Solution :
Masses of reactants = (235.0439 + 1.0087) u = 236.0526 u
Masses of products of reaction = (140.9178 + 91.8854 + 3  1.0087)
r
= 235.8293 u
Mass defect m = 236.0526  235.8293
ka
= 0.2233 u
Energy evolved per fission = 0.2233  931
= 207.8923 MeV
103  6.023  1026

0.025631023 atoms
235
One gram of U contains
235
235
Energy released when 1 gram of U undergoes fission
= 0.02563  10  207.8923
= 5.3283  10 MeV
23
23 an
= 5.3283  10  10  1.6  1019
= 8.52  10 J
10
23 6
2
11. How long can an electric lamp of 60 W be kept burning by fusion of 1 kg of H ? The
fusion reaction is 1H + 1H  2He + 0n + 3.2 MeV.
2 2 3 1
al
Solution :
6.0231026 1
Number of concerned atoms in one kg =
2
As seen from the given equation, fusion of two atoms leads to release of 3.2 MeV of
energy. Hence total energy released is given by
dy
3.2
 3.0115 1026 MeV = 1.6  3.0115  10  1.6  1013J = 2.71  10 J
26 13
2
The bulb consumes 60 W or 60J/s. Hence the time taken by the bulb to consume
3.711013
3.71  10 J is given by  6.183 1011s.
13
60
16 235
12. Given the nuclear radius of O is 3.024 fm, find that of U.
Vi
Solution :
16
Data : A1 = 16 and R1 = 3.024 fm (for O),
235
A2 = 235 (for U)
1
1
R2  A 2  3
R = R0 A 3
  
R1  A1 
 The nuclear radius of U,
235
1
 235  3
R2 =    3.024 = 2.449  3.024 = 7.406 fm
 16 
244
*13. Determine the binding energy per nucleon of the americium isotope 95 Am , given the
244
mass of Am to be 244.06428 u.
95
Solution :
Given : z = 95, A = 244, N = 244  95 = 149
mp = 1.00728 u, mn = 1.00866 u
2
M = 244.06428 u, 1 u = 931. 5 MeV/c
Binding energy per nucleon is given by’

Eb  zmp  Nmn  M c
2
r
A A
95  1.00728  149 1.00866  244.06428 uc 2 ’
ka
=
244
=
95.6916  150.29034  244.06428  931.5 MeV
244
= 7.3209 MeV
*14. Complete the following equations describing nuclear decays.

(a) 226
(c)
86 Ra
Solution :
228
90

Th
an 8 O
(b) 19
(d)
e  
12
7 N
12
6 C 
86 Ra
(a) 226  42  222
86 Rn
Here an alpha particle is emitted by a radium nucleus and radon (Rn) is formed
al
(b) 19
8 e  19
O 9 F
Here a beta particle () is emitted by the oxygen  19

8 O  nucleus and fluorine
 F  is formed.
19
9
dy
(c) 90Th
228
 42  224
88 Ra
Here an alpha particle is emitted by the thorium nucleus and a Radium nucleus is
formed.
12
(d) 12
7 N6 C  e 
+
Here a positron (e ) is emitted by the nitrogen nucleus and a carbon nucleus is
Vi
formed.
*15. Sample of carbon obtained from any living organism has a decay rate of 15.3 decays
per gram per minute. A sample of carbon obtained from very old charcoal shows a
disintegration rate of 12.3 disintegrations per gram per minute. Determine the age of
-12
the old sample given the decay constant of carbon to be 3.839 × 10 per second.
Solution :
Given : Decay rate in living organism = 15.3 decays per gram per minute
Decay rate in very old charcoal = 12.3 days per gram per minute
A(t) 12.3
  ,  3.839 1012 per second
A0 15.3
A0
A(t) = A0 et   e t
A(t)
A0
 loge  t
A(t)
1 A 1 A
 t  loge 0   2.303log10 0
 A(t)  A(t)
2.303  15.3 
 t log  
3.8391012  12.3 
r
2.303
 log15.3  log12.3 
3.839  1012
ka
2.303  1012
 1.1847  1.0899 
3.839
2.303  1012  (0.0948)

3.839
= 5.687  10 s
10
5.687  1010
33
15
= an
3.156  107
years = 1802 years
*16. A source contains two species of phosphorous nuclei,

P(T1/ 2  25.3d) . At time t = 0, 90% of the decays are from
32
15
32
15
P(T1/ 2  14.3d) and
P . How much time
has to elapse for only 15% of the decays to be from P ? 32
15
Solution :
al
0.693
Given : For 1572
P,T1/ 2  14.3d1   0.04846 d1
14.3
0.693
93
For 15 P,T1/ 2  25.3d2   0.02739d1
25.3
N 
dy
90%
At time t = 0, 01 1  9 …(1)
N02  2 10%
N011e1t 15% 3
At time t , 2 t
   …(2)
N02  2 e 85% 17
Dividing Eq. (1) by Eq. (2) we get,
N011 N02  2 e2 t 9 153
   
Vi
N02  2  N011e1t 3 / 17 3
153
 e( 1 2 )t 
3
 153 
 (1   2 )t  2.303log10    2.303 log10 153  log10 3 
 3 
  0.04846  0.02739  t  2.303(2.1847  0.4771)
2.303  1.7076
t  186.6days
0.02107
*17. Before the year 1900 the activity per unit mass of atmospheric carbon due to the
14
presence of C averaged about 0.255 Bq per gram of carbon. (a) What fraction of
14
carbon atoms were C? (b) An archaeological specimen containing 500 mg of
carbon, shows 174 decays in one hour. What is the age of the specimen, assuming
that its activity per unit mass of carbon when the specimen died was equal to the
14
average value of the air? Halflife of C is 5730 years?
Solution :
Given : T1/ 2  5730y
0.693
  s 1
5730  3.156  107
r
= 3.832  1012 s1
ka
Activity of atmospheric carbons A = 0.255 Bq per gram of carbon
For the specimen activity = 174 decays in one hour
174
= dis/s = 0.04833 dis/s per 500 mg
3600
(a) A = N 
 Number of
14
an
C atoms
Number of atoms in 1 g of carbon

N
A

0.255
 3.832  1012
=
 6.654  1010
6.02  1023
12
= 5.017  10
22
6.654  1010
 Fraction of = 1.326  1012
14
C atoms =
al
5.017  1022
 There are 1.326 1012
14
C atoms per carbon atom
1 14
or carbon atoms per C atom
1.326  10 12
dy
or nearly 0.75  10 carbon atoms per C atoms

12 14
or 40.75  10 carbon atoms per 4 C atoms

12 14
or 3  10 carbon atoms per 4 C atoms

12 14
0.04833
(b) Present activity per gram =  0.09666 dis/s per gram
0.5
Vi
A(t) = A0 et
A0 0.255
 t = 2.303 log10  2.303log10
A 0.09666
2.303log2.638 2.303  0.4313
 t 
3.832  1012 3.832  10 12
= 25.32  10
10
s
25.32  10 10
= years  8023years
3.156  107
*18. In a periodic table the average atomic mass of magnesium is given as 24.312 u. The
average value is based on their relative natural abundance on earth. The three
isotopes and their masses are 12 24
Mg(23.98504u),12
25
Mg(24.98584u) and
26
12Mg(25.98259u) . The natural abundance of 24
12 Mg is 78.99 % by mass. Calculate
the abundances of other two isotopes.
Solution :
Given : Average atomic mass of magnesium = 24.312 u
The masses of the three isotopes are :
r
24
12 Mg: 23.98504 u ; 25
12 Mg: 24.98584 u 26
12 Mg: 25.98259 u
ka
24
12 Mg is 78.99% by mass
25
Let 12 Mg be x% by mass
 26
12 Mg will be (100  78.99  x)% by mass
23.98504  78.99  24.98584  x  25.98259 (100  78.99  x)

 24.312 =

24.312  18.9457831 
0.99675
100
x  0.09272526
100
an
24.98584x
100
 25.98259  20.52364784 
25.98259x
100
 x = 9.3 %
al
 25
12 Mg is 9.3% by mass.
 26
12 Mg is (100  78.99  9.3) = 11.7% by mass.
dy
PROBLEMS
1. Thorium of atomic mass 232 after emitting three alpha and two beta particles is
converted into Thoron of atomic number 86. What must be the atomic number of
Thorium and atomic mass of Thoron?
Vi
226 206
2. 88Ra is converted into 82Pb by emission of alpha and beta particles. Find the
number of  and  particles emitted.
3. A certain substance has a half life of 40 days. Calculate its decay constant.
th
4. A certain radioactive substance is reduced to 1/8 of its original mass in 60 days.
What is its halfvalue period and decays constant?
5. A radioactive material has a mass of 10 g and half life of 3.465 days. Find its decay
constant and the quantity left after 10 days.
6. The activity of a given radioactive sample decreases from 1 microcurie to

0.2 microcurie in 5 days. Compute the half life of the material of the given sample.
(1 microcurie = 3.7  10 disintegrations per second.)
4
th
7. Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days. Find the time in which 19/20 of the radon sample
will decay.
8. Calculate the time required to disintegrate 75% of the initial atoms of a radioactive
material of half-life 2 hours.
208
9. Find the nuclear radii of Pb.
r
10. Calculate the binding energy of a deuterons. Given : mass of proton = 1.007825 u
ka
mass of neutron =1.008665 u, mass of deuteron = 2.014103 u
Homework Problems :
1. Plutonium of mass number 241 radiates 8 and 5 particles and is converted into
Bismuth with atomic number 83. Find the atomic number of Plutonium and mass
number of Bismuth.
238
2. 92U nucleus disintegrates by emitting alpha and beta particles in succession into a
206
an
nucleus of 82Pb . How many alpha and beta particles are emitted?
3. A radioactive substance decays to 1/16 of its initial quantity in 108 minutes. Find its
halflife and decay constant.
4. Thorium of atomic mass 232 and atomic number 90 emits 6 alpha and 4 beta
particles in its successive disintegrations. What will be the atomic mass and atomic
number of the final product?
al
5. The radioactive decay constant of an element is 1.13  109 s1. How much time will
th
take for a given mass of element to reduce to 1/10 of its original mass?
6. One gm of radon of half life 4 days is sealed in an enclosure. Find the mass of radon
remaining after 5 days and the time required to reduce the quantity to 62.5 mg.
dy
7. Uranium of atomic number 92 and mass number 238 emits in succession 8 alpha
and 6 beta particles and is converted into an isotope of lead. Find the atomic number
and the mass number of the isotope of lead so formed.
8. Half value period of radium is 1620 years. Calculate its decay constant.
9. A certain radioactive substance has a half life of 20 days. What is its disintegration
constant?
Vi
10. The half life of radium is 1600 years. One kilogram of radium is kept in a box. Find
the quantity of radium available after 4800 years.
is 4.5  10 years. Express its activity per gram in curies.
238 9
11. Halfvalue period of U
12. Calculate the binding energy of an atom of lithium of mass number 7.
Given : Mass of proton = 1.007825 u. Mass of neutron = 1.008665 u;
Mass of lithium atom = 7.016005 u.
13. A sample of radioactive elements has a mass of 10 g at an instant t = 0. What is the
approximate mass of this element in the sample after two mean lives?
14. Two radioactive substances A and B have decay constants 5 and  respectively. At
t = 0 they have the same number of nuclei. After what time interval the ratio of
2
 1
number of nuclei of A to those of B will be   ?
e
15. A radioactive sample with a halflife of 1 month has the label : Activity = 2 microcurie
on 182011. What was its activity before 2 months?
r
Classwork Problems
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1. 90;220 2. 5 and 4 respectively 3. 17.25103 days1
4. 20 days; 0.0347 days1 5. 0.2 per day ; 1.354 g 6. 2.15 days
7. 16.5 days 8. 4 hours
9. 7.111015m or 7.11 fm 10. 2.22 MeV

Homework Problems :
1. 94, 209
4. 208, 82
an 2. 8 and 6 respectively
5. 64.5 years
4 1
3. 27 min; 0.0257/min
6. 0.377 g; 213 days
7. 82; 206 8. 4.28  10 days 9. 0.03464 days1
10. 124 g app. 11. 3.3  107 curie 12. 39.24 MeV
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13. 1.35 g 14. 1/2 15. 8 microcurie
MODULE 3
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MODULE SYNOPSIS
Nuclear energy  Nuclear fission, nuclear reactors, chain reaction, nuclear fusion.
Theory Questions
*52. Explain what is nuclear fission giving an example. Write down the formula for the
energy generated in the process.
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A. The process in which a heavy nucleus is split into two lighter nuclei with the release
of energy is called nuclear fission.
236
For example, U undergoes nuclear fission forming barium (Ba) and krypton (Kr)
92 U140
56 Ba 36Kr2nQ
236 94
Q is the energy released in the process.

2
Q = (m)C
where m is the difference in the mass of
236
U nucleus and the products of the
reaction.
236
53. What is the half life and activity of 92 U ? How is it obtained ? What are the different
ways in which it can undergo decay ?
U is 2.3  10 years. Its activity is 6.5  105 Ci/g

236 7
A. Half life of 92
236 235
92 U can be obtained from the naturally occurring 92 U by bombarding it with slow
235 236
neutrons. 92 U absorbs a neutron and gives 92 U.
235
92 Un
 92
236
U
r
236
U can undergo fission in several ways producing different pairs of daughter nuclei
92
and generating different amounts of energy in the process. Some of its decays are :
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236
92 U
137
53 I 39 Y2n
97
236
92 U
140
56 Ba 36Kr2n
94
236
92 U
133
51 Ba 41Kr4n
99
*54. Describe the principles of a nuclear reactor. What is the difference between a nuclear
reactor and a nuclear bomb? an
A. A nuclear reactor is a device in which nuclear fission is carried out in a controlled
manner to produce energy in the form of heat which is then converted into electricity.
235
In a uranium reactor, 92 U is used as a fuel. It is bombarded by slow neutrons to
236
produce 92 U which undergoes fission. Some of these fission reactions are
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236
92 U
137
53 I 39 Y2n
97
236
92 U
140
56 Ba 36Kr2n
94
236
92 U
133
51 Ba 41Kr4n
99
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Neutrons are produced in fission reactions. The number of neutrons produced can be
2, 3, or 4. The average number of neutrons is found to be 2.7. These neutrons are in
235 236
turn absorbed by other 92 U nuclei to produce 97 U nuclei which undergo fission and
further produce 2.7 neutrons per fission.
This has a cascading effect and the number of neutrons and fission can increase
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rapidly producing a large amount of energy. This is called as a chain reaction. In

nuclear reactor, methods are employed to control the chain reaction and the energy
is produced in a controlled manner.
Difference between a nuclear reactor and a nuclear bomb : In a nuclear reactor the
chain reaction is controlled to release the energy at a constant rate but in a nuclear
bomb there is uncontrolled chain reaction due to which a large amount of energy is
released in a short time causing huge explosion.
55. Explain what is nuclear fusion giving an example. Write down the formula for energy
generated in the process.
A. The process in which two lighter nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus with
release of energy is called nuclear fusion.
For example the following fusion reaction takes place in the sun :
4p   + 2e + neutrinos + 26.7 MeV.
+
The mass of the products is less than the mass of the reactants and this difference is
converted into energy. It M is the difference in mass then the energy released in
2
Q = (M)c .
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Q = [4mp  (m + 2me)]c
2
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56. Write a note on the nuclear fusion reaction in the sun.
7
A. The temperature at the centre of the sun is 10 k. The fusion reaction which takes
place at the centre of the sun is the fusion of four hydrogen nuclei i.e. protons to form
a helium nucleus. The fusion takes place in several steps. The effective reaction can
be written as, 4p   + 2e + 26.7 MeV.
+
These reactions have been going on inside the sun since past 4.5 billion years and
are expected to continue for similar time period in future.
an
57. Explain why very high temperature is required for fusion reaction to take place.
A. For fusion reaction to take place, it is necessary for two nuclei to come within about
1 fm of each other so that they can experience nuclear forces. It is very difficult for
two atoms to come so close to each other due to electrostatic repulsion between the
electrons of the two atoms. This problem can be solved by stripping the atoms of
their electrons and producing bare nuclei. It is possible to do so by giving the
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electrons energies larger than the ionization potentials of the atoms by heating them.
But even after this it is very difficult for the bare nuclei to come close to each other
due to repulsive force between their positive charges. For nuclear fusion to occur, we
have to heat the gas to very high temperature thereby providing the nuclei with very
high kinetic energies. These high energies can help them to overcome the
electrostatic repulsion and come close to one another. Nuclei with higher atomic
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numbers have greater positive charge and hence these nuclei need greater kinetic
energies, i.e. greater temperature for fusion to take place.
Solved Problems
1. Calculate the energy released in the nuclear reaction 7
3 Lip2 , given mass of
7
3Li atom and of helium atom to be 7.016 u and 4.0026 u respectively.
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Solution :
mass of 73 Li = 7.016 u, mass of 42 He = 4.0026 u, mp = 1.008 u
Mass of two helium atoms = 2  4.0026 = 8.0052 u
Total mass of the products = 8.0052 u
Total mass of the reactants = 7.016 + 1.008 = 8.024 u
Difference in the masses of the products and the reactants= 8.0248.0052= 0.0188 u
1u = 931.5 u
 0.0188 u = 0.0188 + 931.5 = 17.5 MeV
12
2. In a star three alpha particles fuse in a single reaction to form 6C nucleus. Calculate
the energy released in the reaction.
Given : m  42 He  = 4.002604 u, m  12
6 C  = 12.000000 u
Solution :
342 He12
6 CQ
Initial mass = Mass of three alpha particles

= 3  4.002604 u = 12.007812 u
Final mass = m  126 C  = 12.000000 u
Mass defect M = 0.007812 u
r
Energy released Q = 0.007812  931.5 MeV = 7.28 MeV
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235
*3. How much mass of U is required to undergo fission each day to provide 3000 MW
of thermal power? Average energy per fission is 202.79 MeV.
Solution :
Average energy per fission = 202.79 MeV
= 202.79  1.6  1019  10 J
6
= 3.245  1011 J
 Energy per day = 3000  10  24  3600

6
= 2.592  10 J
14
Total energy = Energy per fission  N

where N is the number of atoms.
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Power generation by thermal power plant = 3000 MW
Totalenergy 2.5921014
 N = 7.99  10
24
= =
Energyper fission 3.2451011
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6.02  10
23 235
atoms are present in 235 g of U
7.991024
 7.99  10 235g = 3116.19  3.1 kg
24
atoms are present in
6.021023
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*4. Calculate the energy released in the following reactions, given the masses to be
223
88 Ra: 223.0185 u, 209
82 Pb: 208.9811, 14
6 C: 14.00324, 236
92 U: 236.0456,
140
56 Ba: 139.9106, 94
36 Kr:93.9341,11
6 C:11.01143,
  11
5 B: 11.0093. Ignore neutrino energy.
209
(a) 223
88 Ra 
82 Pb 209
82 Pb (b) 236
92 U
140
56 Ba 36Kr2n
94
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
(c) 11
6 C
11
5 B e neutrino
Solution :
Given :
223
88 Ra: 223.0185 u, 209
82 Pb: 208.9811, 14
6 C: 14.00324, 236
92 U: 236.0456,
140
56 Ba: 139.9106, 94
36 Kr:93.9341,11
6 C:11.01143,
  11
5 B: 11.0093
+ 2
mn = 1.00866 u, m(e ) = 0.00055 u, 1u = 931.5 MeV/c
209
(a) 223
88 Ra 
82 Pb 209
82 Pb
The energy released in the reaction

2
E = (M)c
= [223.0185  (208.9811 + 14.00324)] u
= 0.03416 u
= 0.03416  931.5 MeV
r
= 31.82004 MeV
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(b) 236
92 U
140
56 Ba 36Kr2n
94
2
E = (M)c
= [236.0456  (139.9106 + 93.9341 + 21.00866)]  931.5 MeV
= 171.00477 MeV
(c) 11
6
E
C
=
=
11
(M)c

2
an
5 B e neutrino
[11.01143  (11.0093 + 0.00055)  931.5 MeV

= 1.47177 MeV
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MCQ from the Text Book
1. In which of the following systems will the radius of the first orbit of the electron be
smallest?
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(A) hydrogen (B) singly ionized helium

(C) deuteron (D) tritium
1. (B)
n2
Radius of the orbit r 
Z
For hydrogen, deuteron and tritium n = 1, Z = 1
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For helium n = 1, Z = 2
 r will be minimum for helium.
th
2. The radius of the 4 orbit of the electron will be smaller than its 8th orbit by a factor of
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 8 (D) 16
2. (B)
Radius r  n
2
r4 (4)2 16 1
 = 2
= =
r8 (8) 64 4
3. In the spectrum of hydrogen atom which transition will yield longest wavelength?
(A) n = 2 to n = 1 (B) n = 5 to n = 4 (C) n = 7 to n = 6 (D) n = 8 to n = 7
3. (D)
As value of n increases, the difference between successive energy levels goes on
decreasing. The longest wavelength will correspond will correspond to smallest
energy difference. Hence transition from n = 8 to n = 7 will have smallest energy
difference and hence longest wavelength.
4. Which of the following properties of a nucleus does not depend on its mass number?
r
(A) radius (B) mass (C) volume (D) density
4. (D)
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The density is constant for all nuclei.
5. If the number of nuclei in a radioactive sample at a given time is N, what will be the
number at the end of two half-lives?
(A) N/2 (B) N/4 (C) 3N/4 (D) N/8
5. (B)
n
 1
PROBLEMS
2
 1
2
N
 N = N0   = 0
4
2
an
N = N0   , where n is the number of half lines.
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235
1. A slow neutron strikes a nucleus of 92 U splitting it into lighter nuclei of barium and
krypton and releasing 3 neutrons. Calculate the energy released in this reaction.
Given : m  92
235
U 235.043933u; m  10 n 1.008665u
 
Ba 140.917700u; m  92
141
36 Kr 91.895400u
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m 56
2. Calculate the Qvalue of the reaction

1 H 1 H
13H11H
2 2
Given : m  12 H = 2.014103 u ; m  13 H = 3.016049 u ; m  11H = 1.007825 u

235
3. When an atom of 92 U undergoes fission, about 200 MeV energy is released.
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235
Suppose a reactor U has an output of 700 MW and is 20% efficient (i) How many
92
uranium atoms does it consume in one day ? What mass of uranium does it consume
each day ?
4. Find the energy released in the reaction
1 H 1 H
 23He10n
2 2
Masses of deuteron, helium and neutron are 2.015 u, 3.017 u and 1.009 u
respectively.
If 1 kg of deuterium undergoes complete fusion, find the amount of total energy
released.
5. It is estimated that the atom bomb exploded at Hiroshima released a total energy of
7.6  10 J. If on an average 200 MeV energy was released by fission of one 92
13 235
U
atom. Calculate
(i) the number of uranium atoms fissioned
(ii) the mass of uranium used in the bomb.
Homework Problems :
1. What is the power output of 92 U235 reactor if it takes 30 days to use upto 2 kg of fuel
r
and if each fusion gives 185 MeV of useable energy ?
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235
2. If 200 MeV energy is released in the fission of a single nucleus of 92 U how many
fission must occur to produce a power of 1 KW ?
3. Find the Qvalue of the following nuclear reaction :

6 C 6 C
10 Ne 42He
12 12 20
Given : m  12
6 C  = 12.000000 ; m  10 Ne  = 19.992439 u ; m  2 He  = 4.002603 u
20 4
*4.
236
92 U
The masses of
137
236
92
97
an
Calculate the energy released in the reaction
53 I 39 Y2n
U137
53 I 39 Y are 236.04557 u
97
136.91787 u, 96.91827 u respectively.

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5. Calculate the energy released in the fusion reaction taking place inside the sun :
4p2e  neutrinos . m() = 4.001506 u, mp = 1.00728 u, me = 0.00055 u.
[Neglect the mass of the neutrons]
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1. 198.77 MeV 2. 4.033 MeV
3. 9.5  10 , 3.7 kg 4. 3.726 MeV, 5.6  10
24 26
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MeV
5. (i) 2.375  10
24
(ii) 926.66 g
Homework Problems :
2. 3.125  10
13
1. 58.5 MW
3. 4.618377 MeV 4. 178.9691 MeV
5. 24.698 MeV
MEMORY MAP
Atoms and Nuclei
Atoms Nuclei
Daltons Thomson’s Rutherford’s Bohr’s Composition Size  density  Mass Radio activity
Theory model model model
R = R0A1/3
r
Geiger Marsden Mass defect
Experiment
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Binding energy
1st postulate 2nd postulate 3rd postulate De Broglie Binding Excitation Binding energy
mv 2
= 1 Ze2
 mvr =
nh E2  E1 = 4 explanation energy energy Per nucleon
r 40 r 2 2
Atomic Spectra
Hydrogen Spectrum Fission Fusion
Man Series
n=1
m = 2, 3, 4 ...
Balmer Series
n=2
m = 3, 4, 5, …
Paschen Series
n=3
m = 3, 4, 5, …
anBratkett
Series
n=4
Pfundt
Series
n=5
m = 5, 6, 7, … m = 6, 7, 8, …
decay , + decay   decay Decay Law

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Atomic Mass Neutron
Number Number Number
Half life Mean life

Isobars Isotones
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Isotopes
FORMULAE AT A GLANCE
e
BOHR’S THEORY OF HYDROGEN ATOM
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2 2
mv 1 Ze
1. Centripetal force acting on the electron :  
r 40 r 2
1 1 Ze2
2. K.E. of electron in an orbit of radius r : mv 2  
2 40 2r
1 e2
3. P.E. of electron in an orbit of radius r : 
40 r
 0 h2n2
4. Radius of electron in the n orbit : rn = 
th
Zme2
For ground state n = 1

0 h2
Radius of the orbit in the ground state (r0) =
Zme2
th 2
Radius of n orbit rn = n r0 ( For n = 1, r = r0)
Ze2 1
Hence vn  .
th
5. Velocity of the electron in the n orbit is given by vn =
20 hn n
h
6. Angular momentum of the electron mvr = n
2
r
Z 2me4 1
 K.E. 
th
7. K. E. of the electron in n orbit =
8 20 h2n2 n2
ka
Z2me4 1
8. P. E. of the electron in n orbit =   P.E. 
th
420 h2n2  n2

P.E.
9. (i) P.E. = 2 (KE) (ii) T.E. = (iii) T.E. = K.E.
2
13.6
10. For hydrogen total energy in the n orbit : En =  2 eV
th
1  1 1 
11. Z2RH  2  2 
 n m 
RH =
me
an 4
8C 0 h3
n
= 1.097  10 m1
7
12. Ionisation energy, binding energy for hydrogen atom = 13.6 eV

hc
13. Energy of photon E = h = 14. 1 eV = 1.6  1019 J.

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15. Decay law : N = N0 et 16. Activity : A = A0 . et = N
0.693 1 T1/ 2
17. Half life T1/2 = 18. Average life  : =
  0.693
1/3
19. Radius of the nucleus R = R0A
dy
3m
20. Nuclear density  = = constant
4R30
21. Mass defect = m = [Zmp + (A  Z)mn]  M
2
22. Binding energy = E0 = (M)C
EB
23. Binding energy per nucleon =
A
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A4
24. For   decay : Z X
A
 Z2 Y
25. For   decay : A
Z  ZAYe antineutrion
X
26. For  decay :
+ A
Z  ZAYe  neutrino
X
27. For  decay : A
Z X AZ X
MODULE 4 : MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
Select the correct answer from each of the following questions :

i) Each question is allocated 1 marks for each correct response.
ii) No marks will be deducted for incorrect response of each question or if no answer
is given.
iii) There is only one correct answer for each question.
Classwork Problems
1. What will be the angular momentum in fourth orbit if L is the angular momentum of
the electron in the second orbit of hydrogen atom?
r
2 L 3
(A) L (B) (C) 2L (D) L
3 2 2
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2. The charge on the electron and protons is reduced to half. Let the present value of
the Rydberg constant be R. What will be the new value of the Rydberg constant?
(A) R/2 (B) R/4 (C) R/8 (D) R/16
3. Consider the following nuclear reaction 92 U234 
 90 Th230 + X + energy. The
nuclide X represents
3 1 3 4
(A) 1H (B) 1H (C) 2He (D) 2He
material is reduced to:

(A) 1/4 gram
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4. A radioactive element has a half life of 2.5 hours. In 10 hours 1 gram of radioactive
(B) 1/8 gram (C) 1/16 gram (D) 1/32 gram

5. A certain radioactive substance has a half-life of 5 years. Thus for a nucleus in a
sample of the element, the probability of decay in ten years is:
(A) 50% (B) 75% (C) 100% (D) 60%
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6. A radioactive element has half-life period 1600 years. After 6400 years what amount will
remain ?
1 1 1 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2 16 8 4
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7. The energy of the ground electronic state of hydrogen atom is -13.6 eV. The energy
of the first excited state will be:
(A) -3.4 eV (B) -6.8 eV (C) -27.2 eV (D) -54.4 eV
8. The time taken by an electron to complete one revolution in the first orbit of hydrogen
atom of radius 0.53 A.U. with speed 2.18  10 m/s will be…
6
[Oct. 2010]
(A) 1.527  1015 S (B) 1.527  1016 S (C) 1.527  1017 S (D) 1.527  1018 S
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9. Energy of an electron in the third Bohr orbit is 1.51 eV. Its energy in the second
Bohr orbit is …. [Oct. 2011]
(A) 1.51 eV (B) + 1.51 eV (C) 3.4 eV (D) + 3.4 Ev
10. The nuclei having same number of protons but different number of neutrons are
called … [March 2013]
(A) isobars (B) particles (C) isotopes (D) particles
11. Let ‘p’ and ‘E’ denote the linear momentum and energy of emitted photon
respectively. If the wavelength of incident radiation is increased … [March 2013]
(A) both p and E increase (B) p increases and E decreases

(C) p decreases and E increases (D) both p and E decrease
12. When electron in hydrogen atom jumps from second orbit to first orbit, the
wavelength of radiation emitted is . When electron jumps from third orbit to first
orbit, the wavelength of emitted radiation would be [March 2014]
27 32 2 3
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
32 27 3 2
13. If an electron in hydrogen atom jumps from an orbit of level n = 3 to an orbit of level
r
n = 2, emitted radiation has a frequency (R = Rydbergs constant, C = velocity of
light) [MH-CET 2014]
ka
3RC RC 8RC 5RC
(A) (B) (C) (D)
27 25 9 36
th st
14. The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron in 4 orbit is (r = radius of 1 orbit)
(A) 2 r (B) 4 r (C) 8 r (D) 16 r
[MH-CET 2014]
of first line is ‘2’ then
(A) 0.081
an
15. For Balmer series, wavelength of first line is ‘1’ and for Brackett series, wavelength
1
2
(B) 0.162
is
(C) 0.198 (D) 0.238

[MH-CET 2015]
16. An electron of mass ‘m’ and charge ‘q’ is accelerated from rest in a uniform electric
al
field of strength ‘E’. The velocity acquired by it as it travels a distance ‘ ’ is
1 1 1 1
 2Eq  2  2Eq  2  2Em  2  Eq  2
(A)   (B)   (C)   (D)  
 m  m   q  m 
dy
[MH-CET 2015]
th
17. For the hydrogen atom, the energy of radiation emitted in the transition from 4
nd
excited state to 2 excited state, according to Bohrs theory is [MH-CET 2015]
(A) 0.567 eV (B) 0.667 eV (C) 0.967 eV (D) 1.267 eV
18. Linear momentum of an electron in Bohr orbit of H-atom (principal quantum number
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n) is proportional to [March 2015]

1 1 2
(A) 2 (B) (C) n (D) n
n n
19. In hydrogen atom Balmer series is obtained when the electron jumps from _____
[July 2016]
(A) higher orbit to first orbit (B) first orbit to a higher orbit
(C) higher orbit to the second orbit (D) second orbit to a higher orbit
20. The ratio of kinetic energy of an electron in Bohr’s orbit to its total energy in the same
orbit is _____. [July 2017]
1
(A) – 1 (B) 2 (C) (D) – 0.5
2
21. In Bohr’s theory of Hydrogen atom, the electron jumps from higher orbit ‘n’ to lower
orbit ‘p’. The wavelength will be minimum for the transition [MHTCET 2016]
(A) n = 5 to p = 4 (B) n = 4 to p = 3 (C) n = 3 to p = 2 (D) n = 2 to p = 1
22. When an electron in Hydrogen atom revolves in stationary orbit, it

(A) does not radiate light though its velocity changes [MHTCET 2016]
(B) does not radiate light and velocity remains unchanged
r
(C) radiates light but its velocity is unchanged
(D) radiates light with the change of energy
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23. The frequencies for series limit of Balmer and Paschen series respectively are '1'
and '3'. If frequency of first line of Balmer series is '2' then the relation between '1',
'2', and '3' is [MHTCET 2017]
(A) 1  2 = 3 (B) 1 + 3 = 2 (C) 1 + 2 = 3 (D) 1  3 = 21
24. A radioactive element has rate of disintegration 10,000 disintegrations per minute at
a particular instant. After four minutes it becomes 2500 disintegrations per minute.
(A) 0.2loge 2
an
The decay constant per minute is
(B) 0.5loge 2 (C) 0.6loge 2
[MHTCET 2017]
(D) 0.8loge 2
25. If the electron in hydrogen atom jumps from second Bohr orbit to ground state and
difference between energies of the two states is radiated in the form of photons. If the
work function of the material is 4.2 eV then stopping potential is
13.6
[Energy of electron in n orbit =  2 eV ]
th
al
n
(A) 2 eV (B) 4 eV (C) 6 eV (D) 8 eV
th
26. An electron of stationary hydrogen atom jumps from 4 energy level to ground level.
The velocity that the photon acquired as a result of electron transition will be (h =
Planck’s constant, R = Rydberg’s constant, m = mass of photon) [MHTCET 2018]
dy
9Rh 11hR 13hR 15hR

(A) (B) (C) (D)
16m 16m 16m 16m
27 125
27. If radius of the 13 Al nucleus is taken to be RAl, then the radius of 53 Te nucleus is
nearly : [AIPMT 2015]
1/ 3 1/ 3
 13   53  5 3
(A)   RAl (B)   RAl (C) R Al (D) R Al
Vi
 53   13  3 5
28. A radioactive element X with half life of 2 hours decays giving a stable element Y?
After how many hours the ratio of X to Y will be 1 : 7?
(A) 6 hours (B) 8 hours (C) 10 hours (D) 12 hours
29. In nuclear fission 0.1% mass is converted into energy. How much electrical energy
can be generated by the fission of 1 kg of fuel ?
(D) 2.5  10 kWh
7 7
(A) 1 kWh (B) 10 kWh (C) 2.5 kWh
30. Two radioactive substance A and B have decay constants 5 and  respectively.
At t = 0 they have the same number of nuclei. The ratio of number of nuclei of A to
2
 1
those of B will be   after a time interval
e
1 1
(A) (B) 4  (C) 2  (D)
4 2
31. Two nuclei have their mass numbers in the ratio of 1 : 3. The ratio of their nuclear
densities would be [CBSE PMT 2008]
r
1/3
(A) (3) : 1 (B) 1 : 1 (C) 1 : 3 (D) 3 : 1
32. The velocity of an electron in the second orbit of sodium atom (atomic number 11) is
ka
v. The velocity of an electron in its fifth orbit will be
(A) v (B) 22 / 5. V (C) 5 / 2 . v (D) 2 / 5 . v
33. Halflives of two radioactive elements A and B are 20 min and 40 min, respectively.
Initially, the samples have equal number of nuclei. After 80 min, the ratio of decayed
numbers of A and B nuclei will be [2016 Main]
(A) 1 : 16 (B) 4 : 1 (C) 1 : 4 (D) 5 : 4
an
34. As an electron makes a transition from an excited state to the ground state of a
hydrogen like atom/ion
(A) kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy decrease
[2015 Main]
(B) kinetic energy decreases, potential energy increases but total energy remains
same
(C) kinetic energy and total energy decrease but potential energy increases
al
(D) its kinetic energy increases but potential energy and total energy decrease
rd st
35. In hydrogen atom, electron jumps from the 3 orbit to the 1 orbit. The change in
angular momentum is ________ .
(A) 1.05  1034 Js (B) 2.11  1034 Js
34
(C) 3.16  10 Js (D) 4.22  1034 Js
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Homework Problems
1. The angular momentum of the orbital electron is integral multiple of:

(A) h (B) 2  h (C) h/2  (D) None of the above
2. In which region of electromagnetic spectrum does the Lyman series of hydrogen
Vi
atom lie:
(A) Ultraviolet (B) Infra red (C) Visible (D) X-ray
3. Electrons in the atom are held in the atom due to
(A) Coulomb forces (B) Nuclear forces
(C) Gravitational forces (D) Van der Waal’s forces
4. The difference in angular momentum associated with the electron in the two
successive orbits of hydrogen atom is:
h h h h
(A) (B) (C) (D) (n  1)
 2 2 2
5. When electron in hydrogen atom jumps to the inner most orbit, the radiation emitted
belongs to which one of the following series?
(A) Paschen (B) Balmer (C) Lyman (D) Brackett
6. Suppose the mass of electron decreases by 25%. How will it affect the Rydberg
constant?
(A) Remain unchanged (B) Becomes one fourth
(C) Reduced to 75% of its original value (D) It is doubled.
7. The total energy of an electron in the excited state corresponding to n = 3 is E. What
is the potential energy with proper sign ?
r
(A) -2E (B) 2E (C) -E (D) E
8. The orbital radius of the electron in the hydrogen atom changes from r to 4r. The
ka
energy of the orbital electron will change from E to :
(A) 4 E (B) 2 E (C) E/2 (D) E/4
9. Of the three basic forces gravitational, electrostatic and nuclear which two are able to
provide an attractive force between two neutrons ?
(A) Electrostatic and gravitational (B) Electrostatic and nuclear
(C) Gravitational and nuclear (D) Some other forces like van der Waals.
10. What are  -rays ? an
(A) Electromagnetic radiations
(B) The electrons orbiting around the nucleus
(C) Charged particles emitted by nucleus
(D) Neutral particles.
11. The half life of a radioactive element is 5 min. The fraction of the sample of this
al
isotope that will remain after 30 min. is
(A) 1/6 (B) 1/36 (C) 1/32 (D) 1/64
12. The half life of a radio-isotope is 5 years. The fraction of atoms decayed in this
substance after 15 years will be:
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(A) 1 (B) 3/4 (C) 7/8 (D) 5/8

13. The energy equivalent of one atomic mass unit is:
(A) 1.6  10 joules (B) 6.02  10 joules
-19 +23
(C) 931 MeV (D) 9.31 MeV

14. The mass density of a nucleus varies with mass number A as
2
(A) A (B) A (C) Constant (D) 1/A
Vi
15. A radioactive substance has half life of four months. Three fourth of the substance will
decay in
(A) 3 months (B) 4 months (C) 12 months (D) 8 months
16. A radioactive substance has a half-life of 60 minutes. During 3 hours the fraction of
atom that have decayed would be
(A) 12.5% (B) 87.5% (C) 8.5% (D) 25.1%
17. According to Bohr’s theory, the moment of momentum of an electron revolving in
second orbit of Hydrogen atom will be
h 2h
(A) 2h (B) h (C) (D)
 
18. What is the main source of energy on the sun ?

(A) The burning of hydrogen in the oxygen
(B) Fission of uranium present in the sun
(C) The energy liberated in the fusion of protons during the synthesis of heavier
nuclei
(D) Gravitational contraction
19. The ratio of speed of an electron in ground state in Bohr’s first orbit of hydrogen atom
to velocity of light in air is
e2 2e2  o e3 2 ohc
(A) (B) (C) (D)
r
20hc hc 2ohc e2
ka
20. The ratio of the angular momentum of the orbital electron in the first orbit to that in
the second orbit is:
(A) 2 (B) 1 (C) 0.5 (D) None of the above
21. In terms of the Rydberg’s constant (R), what is the minimum value of the wavelength
in the Lyman series?
(A) 1/16 R (B) 1/8 R (C) 1/4 R (D) 1/R
an
22. The ratio of the kinetic energy of an electron in any Bohr orbit to its total energy is
(A) 2 (B) ½ (C) -1 (D) -0.5
23. The elements with same atomic mass but different atomic numbers are known as
(A) isotopes (B) isotones (C) isobars (D) isomers
24. With increasing quantum number the energy difference between adjacent energy
levels in atoms
(A) decreases
al
(B) increases
(C) remains constant
(D) decreases for low Z and increases for high Z atoms
25. If the radius of the first orbit of hydrogen atom is 5.29  1011 metre, the radius of the
dy
second orbit will be

(A) 21.16  1011 metre (B) 15.87  1011 metre
11
(C) 10.58  10 metre (D) 2.64  1011 metre
26. When an electron jumps from the fourth orbit to the second orbit, one gets the
(A) second line of Paschen series (B) second line of Lyman series
(C) second line of Balmer series (D) first line of Pfund series
Vi
27. When the number of nucleons in a nucleus increases the binding energy per nucleon
(A) remains constant
(B) increases continuously with increase in mass number
(C) decreases continuously with increase in mass number
(D) initially increases and then decreases with the increase in mass number
28. The phenomenon of radioactivity is associated with
(A) fission of nuclei
(B) disintegration of neutrons
(C) emission of spectral lines
(D) spontaneous disintegration of the nuclei of atoms
29. The same radio-active nucleus may emit

(A) either  or  and  at a time (B) all the three ,  and  one after another
(C) only  and  simultaneously (D) all the three ,  and  simultaneously
30. If the decay constant of a radioactive substance is , then its half life and mean life
are respectively
1 log e 2 log e 2 1 1  1
(A) and (B) and (C)  log e 2 and (D) and
     log e 2 
31. Energy generation in stars is mainly due to
(A) chemical reactions (B) fission of heavy nuclei
r
(C) fusion of light nuclei (D) fusion of heavy nuclei
32. During a nuclear fusion reaction
ka
(A) a heavy nucleus breaks into two fragments by itself
(B) a light nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up
(C) a heavy nucleus bombarded by thermal neutrons breaks up
(D) two light nuclei combine to give a heavier nucleus and possibly other products.
33. The atom of a heavy fissionable element hit by neutron of sufficient energy breaks
into two or more lighter elements with the release of two or more additional neutrons
because
an
(A) neutron is uncharged particle
(B) momentum of neutron is very large
(C) it is easier for protons than neutrons to be in the nucleus
(D) neturonproton ratio increases as mass number of the element increases
34. The energy of an electron in nth Bohr orbit is proportional to … [Oct. 2009]
2 1 1
(A) n (B) n (C) (D) 2
al
n n
th
35. The radius of first Bohr orbit is 0.53 A.U. and radius of n Bohr orbit is 212 A.U. The
value of ‘n’ is [March 2010]
(A) 2 (B) 12 (C) 20 (D) 400
dy
36. Suppose the speed of light were half of the present value, the amount of energy
released in the atomic bomb explosion will be decreased by a fraction
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/2 (C) 3/4 (D) 3/8
Volume of the atom
37. 
Volume of thenucleus
5 10 15 20
(A) 10 (B) 10 (C) 10 (D) 10
Vi
38. Bi has half life of 5 days. What time is taken by (7/8)th part of the sample to decay?
(A) 3.4 days (B) 10 days (C) 15 days (D) 20 days
39. For a hydrogen atom, the ratio of the area of the orbit of the first excited state of
electron to the area of the orbit of the ground level is:
(A) 4 : 1 (B) 2 : 1 (C) 16 : 1 (D) 8 : 1
40. The activity of a radioactive sample
(A) can be increased by heating it
(B) can be decreased by using a reducing agent
(C) can be increased by cooling it
(D) cannot be increased or decreased by any method.
41. An electron in the first orbit of hydrogen atom moves in a circular orbit of radius r with
a velocity V. What is the current through the loop ?
2eV eV
(A) (B) 3 eV (C) (D) eVr
r 2r
42. The total energy of an electron in the first excited state of hydrogen atom is -3.4 eV.
What are the values of its K.E. and P.E. in this state ?
(A) 3.4 eV, 6.8 eV (B) -6.8 eV, 3.4 eV (C) +3.4 eV, (-6.8 eV)(D)-3.4 eV, (+6.8 eV)
43. Radioactivity is
r
(A) irreversible process (B) self disintegration process
(C) spontaneous (D) all of the above
ka
44. 1 curie is
(B) 3  10 (D) 3.7  10
10 6 10
(A) 1 dps dps (C) 10 dps dps
45. The average life (T) and the decay constant  of radioactive nucleus are related as
(A) T  = 1 (B) T = 0.693 /  (C) T /  = 1 (D) T = c / 
46. If the half life of radioactive substance is T, then its decay constant  is given by
(A)  T = 1 (B)  T = 1 / 2 (C)  T = loge 2 (D)  =  loge 2 T
(A) e
an
47. During mean life of radioactive element, the fraction that disintegrates is
(B) 1 / e (C) (e  1) / e (D) e / (e  1)
48. In a sample of radioactive substance, what percentage decays in one mean life time
(A) 69.3% (B) 64% (C) 50% (D) 36%
49. How many times does the electron go around the first Bohr orbit in one second?
al
h h h 4 mr 2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4 mr 2
2
4 mr 2 mr 2 h
50. The ratio between kinetic energy and total energy of the electron of hydrogen atom
according to Bohr’s model is
dy
(A) 1 :  1 (B) 1 : 1 (C) 1 : 2 (D) 2 : 1

51. In hydrogen atom which of the following transitions in most energetic
(A) n1 = 2  n2 = 1 (B) n1 = 3  n2 = 2
(C) n1 = 10  n2 = 2 (D) n1 = 100  n2 = 3
52. The radius of hydrogen atom in its ground state is of the order of
(A) 104 cm (B) 106 cm (C) 108 cm (D) 1010 cm
Vi
53. Balmer series of hydrogen atom lies in

(A) microwave region (B) visible region
(C) ultraviolet region (D) infrared region
54. The energy of an electron in nth Bohr orbit is proportional to _______ [Oct. 2009]
2 1 1
(A) n (B) n (C) (D) 2
n n
55. Which of the following quantities has same units and dimensions as that of plank’s
constant? [March 2009]
(A) moment of inertia (B) Angular momentum
(C) Linear momentum (D) Rate of change of linear momentum
56. The radius of first Bohr orbit is 0.53 A.U. and radius of nth Bohr orbit is 212 A.U. The
value of ‘n’ is [March 2010]
(A) 2 (B) 12 (C) 20 (D) 400
57. The time taken by an electron to complete one revolution in the first orbit of hydrogen
r
atom of radius 0.53 A.U. with speed 2.18  10 m/s will be ___
6
[Oct. 2010]
(A) 1.527  10 S (B) 1.527  10 S (C) 1.527  1017 S (D) 1.527  1018 S
15 16
ka
58. Energy of an electron in the third Bohr orbit is 1.51 eV. Its energy in the second
Bohr orbit is ____ [Oct. 2011]
(A) 1.51 eV (B) + 1.51 eV (C) 3.4 eV (D) + 3.4 eV
59. The mass of a photon at rest is
(A) zero (B) 1.67  1035 kg (C) one a.m.u. (D) 9  1031 kg
Classwork Problems
1. (C) 2. (D)
an 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (B)
7. (A) 8. (B) 9. (C) 10. (C) 11. (D) 12. (A)
al
13. (D) 14. (C) 15. (B) 16. (A) 17. (C) 18. (B)
19. (C) 20. (A) 21. (D) 22. (A) 23. (A) 24. (B)
25. (C) 26. (D) 27. (C) 28. (A) 29. (D) 30. (D)
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31. (B) 32. (D) 33. (D) 34. (D) 35. (B)
Homework Problems
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (B) 5. (C) 6. (C)
7. (B) 8. (D) 9. (C) 10. (C) 11. (D) 12. (C)
13. (C) 14. (C) 15. (D) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (C)
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19. (A) 20. (C) 21. (D) 22. (C) 23. (C) 24. (A)
25. (A) 26. (C) 27. (D) 28. (D) 29. (A) 30. (B)
31. (C) 32. (D) 33. (D) 34. (D) 35. (C) 36. (C)
37. (C) 38. (C) 39. (C) 40. (D) 41. (C) 42. (C)
43. (D) 44. (D) 45. (A) 46. (C) 47. (C) 48. (B)
49. (A) 50. (A) 51. (A) 52. (C) 53. (B) 54. (D)
55. (B) 56. (C) 57. (B) 58. (C) 59. (A)
PREVIOUS YEARS EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

MHTCET 2005
1. Wavelength of first line in Lyman series is . The wavelength of first line in Balmer
series is
5 36 27 5
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
27 5 5 36
2. If 8 g of a radioactive substance decays into 0.5 g in 1 h, then the half-life of the
substance is
r
(A) 45 min (B) 15 min (C) 10 min (D) 30 min
3. Maximum energy is evolved during which of the following transitions?
ka
(A) n = 1 to n = 2 (B) n = 2 to n = 6 (C) n = 2 to n = 1 (D) n = 6 to n = 2
MHT-CET 2006
4. Two nucleons are at a separation of 1 fermi. The net force between them is F1, if both
are neutrons F2, if both are protons and F3, if one is a proton and the other is a
neutron.
(A) F1 > F2 > F3
MHT-CET 2007
an
(B) F2 > F1 > F3 (C) F1 = F3 > F2 (D) F1 = F2 > F3
5. mp and mn are masses of proton and neutron respectively. An element of mass M

has Z protons and N neutrons then
(A) M > Zmp + Nmn
(B) M = Zmp + Nmn
(C) M < Zmp + Nmn
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(D) M may be greater than less than or equal to Zmp + Nmn, depending on nature of
element.
6. In a radioactive material the activity at time t 1 is R1 and at a later time t2, it is R2. If the
decay constant of the material is , then
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(A) R1  R 2 e (t1  t2 ) (B) R1  R 2 e(t1  t2 ) (C) R1  R 2 (t 2 / t1 ) (D) R1 = R2

7. Ionization potential of hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV. Hydrogen atoms in the ground state
are excited by monochromatic radiation of photon energy 12.1 eV. According to
Bohr’s theory, the spectral lines emitted by hydrogen will be
(A) two (B) three (C) four (D) one
MHT-CET 2008
Vi
17
8. If MO is the mass of an oxygen isotope 8O , Mp and Mn are the masses of a proton
and a neutron, respectively, the nuclear binding energy of the isotope is
(A) (MO  8Mp) c (B) (MO  8Mp  9Mn) c
2 2
(D) (MO  17 Mn) c

2 2
(C) MOc
MHT-CET 2009
9. The radius of hydrogen atom in its ground state is 5.3  1011 m. After collision with
an electron it is found to have a radius of 21.2  1011 m. What is the principal
quantum number n of the final state of atom?
(A) n = 4 (B) n = 2 (C) n = 16 (D) n = 3
10. If an electron is revolving around the hydrogen nucleus at a distance of 0.1 nm, what
should be speed?
(A) 2.188  10 ms1 (B) 1.094  10 ms1
6 6
(C) 4.376  10 ms1 (D)1.59  10 ms1

6 6
MHT-CET 2010
11. When the kinetic energy of an electron is increased, the wavelength of the
associated wave will (A) increase
(B) decrease
r
(C) wavelength does not depends upon kinetic energy
(D) None of these
ka
MHT-CET 2011
12. Orbital acceleration of electron is
n2h2 n2h2 4n2h2 4n2h2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4 m r
2 2 3
2n2r 3  2 m2r 3 4  2 m 2r 3
13. As per Bohr model, the minimum energy (in eV) required to remove and electron
(A) 1.51 (B) 13.6
(B) n3
an
from the ground state of double ionized Li atom (Z = 3) is
(C) 40.8
(C) n4
(D) 122.4
14. An electron moves in Bohr’s orbit. The magnetic field at the centre is proportional to
(A) n5 (D) n2
15. The product of linear momentum and angular momentum of an electron of the
x
hydrogen atom is proportional to n , where x is
al
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 2
16. The orbital frequency of an electron in the hydrogen atom is proportional to

(B) n3
3 1
(A) n (C) n (D) n
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MHT-CET 2013
17. Ratio of longest wavelengths corresponding to Lyman & Balmer series in hydrogen
spectrum is
5 3 7 9
(A) (B) (C) (D)
27 23 29 31
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18. The half-life of a radioactive isotope X is 20 yr. It decays to another element Y which
is stable. The two elements X and Y were found to be in the ratio 1 : 7 in a sample of
a given rock. The age of the rock is estimated to be
(A) 40 yr (B) 60 yr (C) 80 yr (D) 100 yr
19. A certain mass of hydrogen is changed to helium by the process of fusion. The mass
defect in fusion reaction is 0.02866 u. The energy liberated per u is
(given 1 u = 931 MeV)
(A) 2.67 MeV (B) 26.7 MeV (C) 6.675 MeV (D) 13.35 MeV
20. When the kinetic energy of an electron is increased the wavelength of the associated
wave will
(A) increase
(B) decrease
(C) Wavelength does not depends upon kinetic energy
(D) None of these
MHT-CET 2014
21. If an electron in hydrogen atom jumps from an orbit of level n = 3 to an orbit of level
n = 2, emitted radiation has a frequency. (R = Rydberg’s constant, C = velocity of
r
light)
3RC RC 8RC 5RC
(A) (B) (C) (D)
ka
27 25 9 36
MHT-CET 2015
22. For Balmer series, wavelength of first line is ‘1’ and for Brackett series, wavelength

of first line is ‘2’ then 1 is
2
(A) 0.081
 2Eq  2
1
an
(B) 0.162
1
 2Eq  2
(C) 0.198
 2Em  2
1
(D) 0.238
23. An electron of mass ‘m’ and charge ‘q’ is accelerated from rest in a uniform electric
field of strength ‘E’. The velocity acquired by it as it travels a distance ‘’ is
 Eq  2
1
(A)   (B)   (C)   (D)  

 m  m   q  m 
al
MHT-CET 2016
24. In Bohr’s theory of Hydrogen atom, the electron jumps from higher orbit ‘n’ to lower
orbit ‘p’. The wavelength will be minimum for the transition
(A) n = 5 to p = 4 (B) n = 4 to p = 3 (C) n = 3 to p = 2 (D) n = 2 to p = 1
dy
25. When an electron in Hydrogen atom revolves in stationary orbit, it

(A) does not radiate light though its velocity changes
(B) does not radiate light and velocity remains unchanged
(C) radiates light but its velocity is unchanged
(D) radiates light with the change of energy
Vi
MHT-CET 2017
26. The frequencies for series limit of Balmer and Paschen series respectively are '1'
and '3'. If frequency of first line of Balmer series is '2' then the relation between '1',
'2', and '3' is
(A) 1  2 = 3 (B) 1 + 3 = 2 (C) 1 + 2 = 3 (D) 1  3 = 21
27. A radioactive element has rate of disintegration 10,000 disintegrations per minute at
a particular instant. After four minutes it becomes 2500 disintegrations per minute.
The decay constant per minute is
(A)2 loge 2 (B) 0.5 loge 2 (C) 0.6 loge 2 (D) 0.8 loge 2
28. The magnetic moment of electron due to orbital motion is proportional to

(n = principal quantum numbers)
1 1
(A) 2 (B) (C) n 2 (D) n
n n
MHT-CET 2018
th
29. An electron of stationary hydrogen atom jumps from 4 energy level to ground level.
The velocity that the photon acquired as a result of electron transition will be (h =
Planck’s constant, R = Rydberg’s constant, m = mass of photon)
r
9Rh 11hR 13hR 15hR
(A) (B) (C) (D)
16m 16m 16m 16m
ka
MHT-CET 2019
30. The wavelength of the first line in Balmer series in the hydrogen spectrum is ‘’.
What is the wavelength of the second line in the same series ?
5 3 3 20
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
36 16 4 27
(A) nhqB/m
an
31. Bohr model is applied to a particle of mass ‘m’ and charge ‘q’ moving in a plane
under the influence of a transverse magnetic field ‘B’. The energy of the charged
particle in the nth level will be (h = Planck’s constant)
(B) nhqB/2m (C) nhqB/4m (D) 2nhqB/m
32. When the electron in hydrogen atom jumps from fourth Bohr orbit to second Bohr
al
orbit,
(A) second line of Balmer series (B) first line of Pfund series
(C) second line of Paschen series (D) first line of Balmer series.
33. In Balmer series, wavelength of first line is ‘1’ and in Brackett series wavelength of
dy
first line is ‘2’ then 1/2 is
(A) 0.162 (B) 0.138 (C) 0.188 (D) 0.124

34. In hydrogen emission spectrum, for any series, the principal quantum number is ‘n’.
Corresponding maximum wavelength ‘’ is (R = Rydberg’s constant)
R(2n  1) R(2n  1) n2 (n  1) n2 (n  1)2
(A) 2 (B) 2 (C) (D)
Vi
n (n  1) n (n  1)2 R(2n  1) R(2n  1)
35. If the speed of an electron of hydrogen atom in the ground state is 2.2  10 m/s,
6
then its speed in the third excited state will be

(A) 5.5  10 m/s (B) 6.8  10 m/s (C) 5.5  10 m/s (D) 8.8  10 m/s
5 6 6 5
36. An electron of mass ’m’ is rotating in first Bohr orbit of radius ‘r’ in hydrogen atom.
The orbital acceleration of the electron in first orbit (h = Planck’s constant)
2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3
(A) h/4 mr (B) h/2 (C) h /2 m r (D) h /4 m r
37. If N0 is the original number of nuclei of radioactive element having half life period of 4
years, then the number of nuclei left after 12 years is
N N N N
(A) 0 (B) 0 (C) 0 (D) 0
16 2 8 4
38. In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, the ratio of kinetic energy of the electron to
the total energy of the electron in a quantum state n is
1 1
(A) (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 1
n n
39. The orbital speed of the electron in ground state of hydrogen is V. What will be its
r
orbital speed when it is excited to the energy state 1.51 eV ?
V V V
ka
(A) 2 V (B) (C) (D)
4 3 2
40. In Bohr model, speed of electron in nth orbit of hydrogen atom is (h = Planck’s
constant, n = principal quantum number, 0 is the permittivity of free space, e =
electronic charge)
e e2 e e2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
0 hn 0 hn 2 0 hn 2 0 hn
(A) 1600 d.p.s.

an
41. The activity of a radioactive sample is 600 disintegrations per second (d.p.s.) after 28
days. After another 14 days, the activity reduces to 300 d.p.s. The initial activity of
the sample is
(B) 2400 d.p.s. (C) 800 d.p.s. (D) 4800 d.p.s.
MHT-CET 2020
al
42. An electron makes a transition from an excited state to the ground state of a
hydrogen like atom. Out of the following statements which one is correct ?
(A) Kinetic energy decreases, potential energy increases but total energy remains
the same.
(B) Kinetic energy and total energy decreases but potential energy increases.
dy
(C) Kinetic energy increases but potential energy and total energy decreases.
(D) Kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy decreases.
43. In the hydrogen spectrum, the series of lines obtained in the ultraviolet region of the
spectrum is
(A) Balmer series (B) Paschen series (C) Brackett series (D) Lyman series
th
44. In hydrogen atom, during the transition of electron from n outer orbit to first Bohr
Vi
orbit, a photon of wavelength ‘’ is emitted. The value of 'n‘ is [R = Rydberg's

constant]
R1 R
(A) (B) R(R1) (C) (D) (R1)
R R1
45. The relation between magnetic moment of revolving electron ‘M’ and principle
quantum number ‘n’ is
1
(A) M  n (B) M  n (C) M  n (D) M 
3 2
n
46. Let 1 and 3 be the frequency for series limit of Balmer and Paschen series
respectively. If the frequency of first line of Balmer sereis is 2 then, relation between
1 and 2 and 3 is
(A) 1 + 3 = 2 (B) 1  2 = 3 (C) 1 + 2 = 3 (D) 2  1 = 3
47. The ratio of areas of electron orbits for the second excited state to the first excited
state in hydrogen atom, is
16 81 9 4
(A) (B) (C) (D)
81 16 4 9
r
48. When an electron in hydrogen atom jumps from third excited state to the ground
state, the de-Broglie wavelength associated with the electron becomes
ka
rd th rd
2  1  1
(A)   (B) half (C)   (D)  
3 4 3
49. For hydrogen atom, the spectral series observed in the visible region is
(A) Lyman (B) Balmer (C) Brackett (D) Paschen
(A) n
2
(B) n
0
an
50. In hydrogen atom, the product of the angular momentum and the linear momentum of
the electron is proportional to (n = principal quantum number)
(C) n
1
(D) n
3
th
51. An electron in a stationary Bohr orbit of hydrogen atom jumps from 4 energy level to
the ground state. The velocity that the photon acquired as a result of electron
transition will be (h = Planck’s constant, R = Rydberg’s constant, m = mass of
photon)
al
7hR 15hR 12hR 9hR
(A) (B) (C) (D)
9m 16m 13m 
11m
52. What percentage of radioactive substance is left after five half - lives?
(A) 20 % (B) About 97 % (C) About 3 % (D) 5 %
dy
53. Let the series limit for Balmer series be ‘1’ and the longest wavelength for Brackett
series be ‘2’. Then 1 and 2 are related as
(A) 2 = 1.11 1 (B) 1 = 0.09 2 (C) 2 = 0.09 1 (D) 1 = 1.11 2
th
54. The magnitude of total energy and angular momentum of an electron in the n orbit
of a Bohr atom is denoted by En and Ln respectively. Then
Vi
1 1
(A) En  L3n (B) En  2 (C) En  (D) En  L n
Ln Ln
55. In hydrogen spectrum, which of the following spectral series lies in ultraviolet region?
(A) Brackett (B) Lyman (C) Pfund (D) Paschen
56. A radioactive nucleus emits 4 particles and 7 particles in succession. The ratio of
number of neutrons to that of protons is [A = mass number, Z = atomic number]
A  Z  13 A  Z  15 A  Z  11 A  Z  13
(A) (B) (C) (D)
Z2 Z 1 Z2 Z 1
57. Using Bohr’s quantization condition, what is the rotational energy in the second orbit
for a diatomic molecule. (I = moment of inertia of diatomic molecule, h = Planck’s
constant)
h h2 h h2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2I2  2I2 2I2 2I2 2
58. The ratio of speed of an electron in the ground state in the Bohr’s first orbit of
hydrogen atom to velocity of light (c) is
(h = Planck’s constant,  0 = permittivity of free space, e = change on electron)
r
e2 2e2  0 e3 2 0hc
(A) (B) (C) (D)
20hc 20hc e2
ka
hc
59. The force acting on the electrons in hydrogen atom (Bohr’s theory) is related to the
principle quantum number ‘n’ as
(B) n4 (C) n2
2 4
(A) n (D) n
60. The radii of the first four Bohr orbits of hydrogen atom are related as
1 1 1
(A) 1: : :
4 9 16
1 1 1
(B) 1: : :
2 3 4
an (C) 1 : 4 : 9 : 16 (D) 1 : 2 : 3 : 4
61. In hydrogen spectrum, the wavelengths of light emitted in a series of spectral lines is
1  1 1
 R 2  2

given by the equation,
  , where n = 5, 6, 7 …… and ‘R’ is Rydberg’s
4 n 
al
constant. Identify the series and wavelength region.
(A) Pfund, near infrared (B) Pfund, far infrared
(C) Brackett, near infrared (D) Brackett, infrared
62. Two different radioactive elements with half-lives ‘T1’ and ‘T2’ have undecayed atoms
dy
‘N1’ and ‘N2’ respectively, present at a given instant. The ratio of their activities at this
instant is
NT NT NN TT
(A) 1 2 (B) 1 1 (C) 1 2 (D) 1 2
N2 T1 N2 T2 T1T2 N1N2
63. A radioactive substance has half life of 3 hours. 75 % of the substance would decay
in
Vi
(A) 6 hours (B) 12 hours (C) 9 hours (D) 3 hours

64. Which one of the following is a pair of isotones ?
(A) 37 Cl17 and 40K18 (B) 198 Hg80 and197 Au79
(C) 40
K18 and 40 Ar19 (D) 13
N7 and 14N7
65. In an atom two electrons complete three revolutions around the nucleus in circular
orbit in time 81 t and 192 t respectively. The ratio of their radii will be (t is in second)
(A) 27 : 64 (B) 4 : 3 (C) 3 : 4 (D) 9 : 16
66. In hydrogen spectrum, the wavelengths of light emited in a series of spectral lines is
given by the equation
1  1 1
 R  2  2  , where n = 4, 5, 6 …. And ‘R’ is Rydberg’s constant.
  3 n 
Identify the series and wavelenth region.
(A) Brackett, far infrared (B) Paschen, far infrared
(C) Brackett, near infrared (D) Paschen. Infrared
67. In hydrogen spectrum, the series of lines obtained in the ultraviolet region of the
spectrum is
r
(A) Pfund series (B) Paschen series (C) Balmer series. (D) Lyman series
ka
68. Two radioactive materials Y1 and Y2 have decay constants ‘5’ and ‘’ respectively.
Initially they have same number of nuclei. After time ‘t’, the ratio of number of nuclei
1
of Y1 to that of Y2 is , then ‘t’ is equal to
e
 e 1
(A) (B) (C) (D) 
2  4
69. If radius of the
(A)
5
3
R Al
27
13
an
Al nucleus is taken to be RAl then the radius of
(B)
13
53
R Al (C)
3
5
R Al (D)
125
53
53
13
Te nucleus is
R Al
70. If 1 and 2 are the wavelengths of the first spectral line of the Lyman and Paschen
series respectively, then 1 : 2 is
al
(A) 1 : 30 (B) 1 : 3 (C) 7 : 50 (D) 7 : 108
71. According to Bohr’s postulate, the centripetal force (f) necessary for the electron of
th
mass ‘m’ in a hydrogen atom to revolve in n circular orbit round the nucleus, as the
centre, is given by
dy
[e = charge on electron, h = Planck’s constant, 0 = permittivity of free space]

m2 e6 me4  m2 e4 m2 e6
(A) (B) (C) (D)
4 30 h4n2 8 20 h2n2 4 20 h4 n4 4 30 h4 n4
72. Angular speed of an electron in the ground state of hydrogen atom is 4  10

16
rad/s.
th
What is its angular speed in 4 orbit ?
(A) 4.25  10 rad/s (B) 6.25  10 rad/s
14 14
Vi
(C) 6.25  10 rad/s (D) 0.25  10 rad/s

16 16
73. The electron of mass ‘m’ is rotating in first Bohr orbit of radius ‘r’ in hydrogen atom.
The orbital acceleration of the electron in first orbit is (h = Planck’s constant)
(D) h /2 m r 
2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2
(A) h /4 m r (B) h/2 m r (C) h/4 mr
th th
74. If vn and vp are orbital velocities in n and p orbit respectively, then the ratio vp : vn is
n2 p p2 n
(A) 2 (B) (C) 2 (D)
p n n p
75. A sample of radioactive element contains 8  10 active nuclei. The half-life of the
16
element is 15 days. The number of nuclei decayed after 60 days is

(A) 2  10 (B) 7.5  10 (C) 4  10 (D) 0.5  10
16 16 16 16
76. If T is the half-life of a radioactive substance then its instantaneous rate of change of
activity is proportional to
(A) T (B) T 2 (C) T (D) T2
77. The variation of decay rate with number of active nuclei is correctly shown in graph
r
ka
(A) B (B) A (C) D (D) C
and then
(A)
5
an
78. Electron in Hydrogen atom first jumps from third excited state to second excited state
from second excited state to first excited state. The ratio of the
wavelengths 1:2 emitted in the
27
(B)
7
5
two cases respectively is
(C)
27
20
(D)
20
7
79. Assuming the atom in the ground state, the expression for the magnetic field at a
al
point (nucleus) in hydrogen atom due to circular motion of electron is [0 =
permeability of free space, 0 = permittivity of free space, m = mass of
electron, e = electronic charge, h = Planck’s constnat]
 m3 e4  e7 m2  me4  m2 e5
(A) 0 2 2 (B) 0 3 5 (C) 0 3 3 (D) 0 3 3
8 0 h 8 0 h 8  e0h 8 0 h
dy
80. When an electron in a hydrogen atom jumps from the third orbit to the second orbit, it
emits a photon of wavelength ‘’. When it jumps from the fourth orbit to third orbit, the
wavelength emitted by the photon will be
20 16 20 9
(A)  (B)  (C)  (D) 
7 25 13 16
Vi
rd th
81. Ratio of centripetal acceleration for an electron revolving in 3 orbit to 5 Bohr orbit
of hydrogen atom is
424 125 625 775
(A) (B) (C) (D)
21 4 81 61
82. An electron makes a transition from an excited state to the ground state of a
hydrogen like atom. Out of the following statements which one is correct?
(A) K.E. and T.E. decreases but P.E. increases
(B) K.E. increases but P.E. and T.E. decreases
(C) K.E., P.E. and T.E. decreases
(D) K.E. decreases, P.E. increases but total energy remains the same
83. In any Bohr orbit of hydrogen atom, the ratio of K.E to P.E of revolving electron at a
distance ‘r’ from the nucleus is
1 1
(A) 1 (B)  (C)  (D) 1
2 2
84. The energy levels with transitions for the atom
are shown. The transitions corresponding to
emission of radiation of maximum and
minimum wavelength are respectively
(A) B, C (B) C, D
r
(C) A, C (D) A, D
th
85. Using Bohr’s model, the orbital period of electron in hydrogen atom in n orbit is
ka
(0 = permittivity of free space, h = Planck’s constant, m = mass of electron,
e = electronic charge)
8 20 n3h3 4 20 n3h3 2 20 n3h3 2 0n2h2
(A) (B) (C) (D)
me4 me4 me4 me4
86. The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is 13.6 eV. The kinetic and potential
(A) +3.02 eV, +1.51 eV

(C) 1.51 eV, +3.02 eV
(A) 2 r (B) 4 r
an
energy of the electron in the second excited state is respectively
(B) +3.02 eV, 1.51 eV
(D) 1.51 eV, 3.02 eV
(C) 8 r
th
87. The de-Broglie wavelength of an electron in 4 orbit is (r = radius of 1 orbit)
(D) 16r
st
88. The electron in hydrogen atom is initially in the third state. When it finally moves to
al
ground state, the maximum number of spectral lines emitted are
(A) 5 (B) 2 (C) 6 (D) 3
dy
1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (A)

7. (B) 8. (B) 9. (B) 10. (D) 11. (B) 12. (A)
13. (D) 14. (A) 15. (A) 16. (B) 17. (A) 18. (B)
19. (C) 20. (B) 21. (D) 22. (B) 23. (A) 24. (D)
25. (A) 26. (A) 27. (B) 28. (D) 29. (D) 30. (D)
31. (C) 32. (A) 33. (A) 34. (D) 35. (A) 36. (D)
37. (C) 38. (C) 39. (C) 40. (D) 41. (B) 42. (C)
Vi
43. (D) 44. (C) 45. (A) 46. (B) 47. (B) 48. (C)
49. (B) 50. (B) 51. (B) 52. (C) 53. (C) 54. (B)
55. (B) 56. (B) 57. (B) 58. (A) 59. (B) 60. (C)
61. (C) 62. (A) 63. (A) 64. (B) 65. (D) 66. (D)
67. (D) 68. (C) 69. (A) 70. (D) 71. (D) 72. (B)
73. (A) 74. (D) 75. (B) 76. (D) 77. (B) 78. (D)
79. (B) 80. (A) 81. (C) 82. (B) 83. (B) 84. (D)
85. (B) 86. (D) 87. (C) 88. (C)


XII 22 Phy CH 15

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XII - 2022 : Physics

3. Describe Thomson’s atomic model.

4. Describe GeigerMarsden experiment.

6. How Rutherford explained the results of Geiger Marsden experiment ?

mass of the atom.

7. Explain Rutherford’s model of an atom.

8. What difficulties were faced by Rutherford’s atomic model ?

9. What is a continuous spectrum ? How it is obtained ?

The difference in wavelengths of successive lines in each series (fixed value of n)

*11. State the postulates of Bohr’s atomic model.

Here, ε0 is the permeability of vacuum and e is the electron charge. Eliminating v n

Dividing Eq. (1) by Eq. (2) ,

According Bohr’s first postulate

19. What is meant by binding energy of an electron ?

20. What is meant by excitation energy ?

21. What is the minimum excitation energy for hydrogen atom ?

For Balmer series n = 2 and m = 3, 4, 5, ….

For Lyman series, the shortest wavelength is given by

For Balmer series, the shortest wavelength is given by

A. According to Rydberg’s formula for spectral lines we have

For first line of Lyman series we have n = 1, m = 2

26. State limitations of Bohr’s model.

27. Explain how Bohr’s second postulate was explained by de Broglie.

h = 6.63  1034 Js., n = 2, t = 108 s

(4)(8.8510 12 ) 2 (6.63 10 34) 3(8)

(4)(8.85)2 (6.63)3 (8)

 B = 4L = (4) (912) = 3648 Å

From Eqs. (1) and (4), we get

= 1.215  107 m = 1215 A

hc 6.6310 34 310 8

This wavelength is called Series Limit.

i) For the shortest wavelength line in the Balmar series,

1. Find the wavelength of H (third line) in the Balmer series.

4. The H line in the Balmer series of hydrogen has a wavelength of 6562.8 Å.

in the 4 orbit is 0.85 eV. Find Rydberg constant.

[h = 6.6  1034Js, c = 3  10 m/s, 1eV = 1.6  1019J]

33. How is the radius of a nucleus related to its mass number ?

35. What is a nuclear force ? State its properties.

38. Define binding energy per nucleon what is its significance?

42. Explain why nuclei with A > 120 undergo decay ?

43. Explain beta () decay and beta plus decay.

Beta plus decay :

45. What is QValue ?

For an decay, Q = [mx  my  mHe]C

For a   decay, Q = [mx  my  me]C

(mass of neutrino is neglected)

46. Explain gamma decay.

47. Explain why a chain of decays takes place?

48. Derive the decay law of radioactivity?

Here, N0 is the number of parent atoms at time t = 0. Integration gives,

or, N(t) = N0et …(2)

49. What is meant by activity of a radioactive material ? What is its unit ?

1. The half life of 90

2. What is the amount of 60 27 Co necessary to provide a radioactive source of strength

10.0 mCi, its half-life being 5.3 years ?

T1/2 = 5.3 years = 5.3  3.1536  10 s

 Mass of 8.917  10 atoms

Taking natural logarithm on both the sides we get