Physics MCQ – Atoms

This set of Class 12 Physics Chapter 12 Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on
“Atoms”. These MCQs are created based on the latest CBSE syllabus and the NCERT curriculum,
offering valuable assistance for exam preparation.

1. Which source is associated with a line emission spectrum?

a) Electric fire
b) Neon street sign
c) Red traffic light
d) Sun
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Neon street sign gives a line emission spectrum. When neon atoms gain enough energy
to become excited, light is produced. Atom releases a photon when it returns to a lower energy
state. Therefore, the source associated with a line emission spectrum is the neon street sign.

2. According to the uncertainty principle for an electron, time measurement will become uncertain if
which of the following is measured with high certainty?
a) Energy
b) Momentum
c) Location
d) Velocity
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: According to the uncertainty principle,
ΔE.Δt >= h2π.
Thus the time measured will become uncertain if ΔE is measured with high certainty.

3. Find the true statement.

a) An electron will not lose energy when jumping from the 1st orbit to the 3rd orbit
b) An electron will not give energy when jumping from the 1st orbit to the 3rd orbit
c) An electron will release energy when jumping from the 1st orbit to the 3rd orbit
d) An electron will absorb energy when jumping from the 1st orbit to the 3rd orbit
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: An electron will absorb energy when jumping from the 1st orbit to the 3rd orbit. Only by
absorbing energy, an electron will be able to jump from the first orbit to the third orbit in the atomic
spectrum.

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4. The size of the atom is proportional to which of the following?

a) A
b) A1/3
c) A2/3
d) A-1/3
View Answer
Answer: b
Explanation: The size of the atom is proportional to A1/3.
The electron affinity of the atom is inversely proportional to the atomic size. As the number of
energy levels increases, the atomic size must increase.

5. Calculate the ratio of the kinetic energy for the n = 2 electron for the Li atom to that of Be + ion?
a) 916
b) 34
c) 1
d) 12
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: KELiKEBe=[(ZLi2)(ZBe2)]2
KELiKEBe=[(32)(42)]2
KELiKEBe=916.

6. The Bohr model of atoms uses Einstein’s photoelectric equation.

a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Bohr model assumes that the angular momentum of electrons is quantized. Therefore,
the Bohr model of the atoms involved is independent of Einstein’s photoelectric equation.

7. What is the ratio of minimum to maximum wavelength in the Balmer series?

a) 5:9
b) 5:36
c) 1:4
d) 3:4
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: For a wavelength of Balmer series,
1/λ = R[1/4–1/9]
1/λ=5R/30.
λmin/λmax=5R/36×4/R
λmin/λmax=59

8. The energy of characteristic X-ray is a consequence of which of the following?

a) The energy of the projectile electron
b) The thermal energy of the target
c) Transition in target atoms
d) Temperature
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The energy of characteristic X-ray is a consequence of transition in target atoms. They
cause emission or absorption of electromagnetic radiation. The other options are not responsible for
the energy of characteristic X rays.
9. Find out the minimum energy required to take out the only one electron from the ground state of
Li+?
a) 13.6 eV
b) 122.4 eV
c) 25.3 eV
d) 67.9 eV
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Ionization energy is given as:
E = 13.6 Z2 eV
For Li+, Z = 3
E = 13.6 × 9
E = 122.4 eV

10. What is the energy required to ionize an H-atom from the third excited state, if ground state
ionization energy of H-atom is 13.6 eV?
a) 1.5 eV
b) 3.4 eV
c) 13.6 eV
d) 12.1 eV
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: From third excited state, E = −13.616
E = -0.85 eV
Energy required to ionize H-atom from second excited state = 0 – (-0.85)
E = +0.85 Ev

Alpha-Particle Scattering and Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom

This set of Class 12 Physics Chapter 12 Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on
“Alpha-Particle Scattering and Rutherford’s Nuclear Model of Atom”.

1. The atomic number of silicon is 14. Its ground state electronic configuration is
a) 1s22s22p63s23p4
b) 1s22s22p63s23p3
c) 1s22s22p63s23p2
d) 1s22s22p63s23p1
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The atomic number of silicon is 14.
Therefore, 14Si will have the following electronic configuration:
1s22s22p63s23p2

2. What is the valence electron in alkali metal?

a) f-electron
b) p-electron
c) s-electron
d) d-electron
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The valence electron in an alkali metal is an s-electron. Generally, they make up Group 1
of the periodic table. The different examples that come under this category are lithium, potassium,
and francium.

3. Of the following pairs of species which one will have the same electronic configuration for both
members?
a) Li+ and Na+
b) He and Ne+
c) H and Li
d) C and N+
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Carbon and the positive ion of nitrogen (N+) will have the same electronic configuration.
The electronic configuration of both Carbon and the positive ion of nitrogen is as follows:
1s22s22p6.

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4. Which of the following did Bohr use to explain his theory?

a) Conservation of linear momentum
b) The quantization of angular momentum
c) Conservation of quantum frequency
d) Conservation of mass
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: To explain his theory, Niels Bohr used the quantization of angular momentum. It means
the radius of the orbit and the energy will be quantized. The Boundary conditions for the wave
function are periodic.

5. According to Bohr’s principle, what is the relation between the principal quantum number and the
radius of the orbit?
a) r proportional to 1n
b) r proportional to 1n2
c) r proportional to n
d) r proportional to n2
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The equation is given as:
r = n2h24π2mkZe2
Therefore, we can say that the radius of the orbit is directly proportional to the square of the
principal quantum number.

6. The kinetic energy of the α-particle incident on the gold foil is doubled. The distance of closest
approach will also be doubled.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: As the distance of the closest approach is inversely proportional to the kinetic energy of
the incident α-particle, so the distance of the closest approach is halved when the kinetic energy of
α-particle is doubled.

7. Based on the Bohr model, what is the minimum energy required to remove an electron from the
ground state of Be atom? (Given: Z = 4)
a) 1.63 eV
b) 15.87 eV
c) 30.9 eV
d) 217.6 eV
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The equation is given as:
En = −13.6Z2n2 eV
En = −13.6×161
En = -217.6 eV
Hence the ionization energy for an electron in the ground state of Be atom is 217.6 eV.

8. If an α-particle collides head-on with a nucleus, what is its impact parameter?

a) Zero
b) Infinite
c) 10-10 m
d) 1010 m
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The perpendicular distance between the path of a projectile and the center of the
potential field is the impact parameter. Therefore, for a head-on collision of the α-particle with a
nucleus, the impact parameter is equal to zero.

9. In which of the following system, will the radius of the first orbit (n=1) be minimum?
a) Doubly ionized lithium
b) Singly ionized helium
c) Deuterium atom
d) Hydrogen atom
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The equation is given as:
r = h22π2mkZe2
Hence, of the given atoms/ions, (Z = 3) is maximum for doubly ionized lithium, so the radius of its
first orbit is minimum.

10. An α-particle of energy 10 MeV is scattered through 180o by a fixed uranium nucleus. Calculate
the order of distance of the closest approach?
a) 10-20cm
b) 10-12cm
c) 10-11cm
d) 1012cm
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: r0 = (2Ze2)(4πε0(12mv2))
r0 = 9×109×2×92×(1.6×10−19)210×1×10−13 J
r0 = 4.239 × 10-14 m
r0 = 4.2 × 10-12 cm.

Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom

This set of Class 12 Physics Chapter 12 Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on
“Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom”.

1. The radius of the Bohr orbit depends on which of the following?

a) 1n
b) n
c) 1n2
d) n2
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The equation is given as:
rn = n2h24π2mkZe2.
From this, we can understand that rn is directly proportional to n2.

2. What is the order of the radius of an electron orbit in a hydrogen atom?

a) 10-8 m
b) 10-9 m
c) 10-11 m
d) 10-13 m
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The radius of an electron orbit in a hydrogen atom is of the order of 10-11 m. It is equal
to the most probable distance between the nucleus and the electron in a hydrogen atom in its
ground state.

3. What will be the longest wavelength in the Balmer series of hydrogen spectrum?
a) 6557 × 10-10 m
b) 5557 × 10-10 m
c) 9557 × 10-10 m
d) 1557 × 10-10 m
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: 1λ = R [1/n12–1/n22]
1λ = 1.098 × 107 [122–132]
λ = 36 × 10−75 × 1.098
λ = 6557 × 10-10 m.

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4. A hydrogen atom in its ground state absorbs 10.2 eV of energy. What is the orbital angular
momentum is increased by?
a) 4.22 × 10-3 Js
b) 2.11 × 10-34 Js
c) 3.16 × 10-34 Js
d) 1.05 × 10-34 Js
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Increase in angular momentum = h2π.
h2π = 6.6 × 10−342 × 3.14
h2π = 1.05 × 10-34 Js.

5. Which of the following is true regarding the Bohr model of atoms?

a) Assumes that the angular momentum of electrons is quantized
b) Uses Faraday’s laws
c) Predicts continuous emission spectra for atoms
d) Predicts the same emission spectra for all types of atoms
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Bohr model of atoms assumes that the angular momentum of electrons is quantized.
The atom is held between the nucleus and surroundings by electrostatic forces. The other options
are not valid.

6. In terms of Bohr radius a0, the radius of the second Bohr orbit of a hydrogen atom is given by √2 a0.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The equation is given as:
r n = r1 n 2
r2 = (2)2r0 = 4r0. Thus, in terms of Bohr radius a0, the radius of the second Bohr orbit of a hydrogen
atom is given by 4 a0.

7. Hydrogen atoms are excited from ground state to the state of principal quantum number 4. Then,
what will be the number of spectral lines observed?
a) 3
b) 6
c) 5
d) 2
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: n = 4.
The number of spectral lines emitted = n(n−1)2.
n(n−1)2=(4×3)6 = 2

8. When a hydrogen atom is in its first excited level, what is the relation of radius and Bohr radius?
a) Twice
b) 4 times
c) Same
d) Half
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: For the first excited level, n = 2.
r2 = (2)2r0 = 4r0.
So, when a hydrogen atom is in its first excited level, its radius is 4 times of the Bohr radius.

Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom

This set of Class 12 Physics Chapter 12 Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on
“Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom”.

1. The radius of the Bohr orbit depends on which of the following?

a) 1n
b) n
c) 1n2
d) n2
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The equation is given as:
rn = n2h24π2mkZe2.
From this, we can understand that rn is directly proportional to n2.

2. What is the order of the radius of an electron orbit in a hydrogen atom?

a) 10-8 m
b) 10-9 m
c) 10-11 m
d) 10-13 m
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: The radius of an electron orbit in a hydrogen atom is of the order of 10-11 m. It is equal
to the most probable distance between the nucleus and the electron in a hydrogen atom in its
ground state.

3. What will be the longest wavelength in the Balmer series of hydrogen spectrum?
a) 6557 × 10-10 m
b) 5557 × 10-10 m
c) 9557 × 10-10 m
d) 1557 × 10-10 m
View Answer
Answer: a
Explanation: 1λ = R [1/n12–1/n22]
1λ = 1.098 × 107 [122–132]
λ = 36 × 10−75 × 1.098
λ = 6557 × 10-10 m.

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4. A hydrogen atom in its ground state absorbs 10.2 eV of energy. What is the orbital angular
momentum is increased by?
a) 4.22 × 10-3 Js
b) 2.11 × 10-34 Js
c) 3.16 × 10-34 Js
d) 1.05 × 10-34 Js
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Increase in angular momentum = h2π.
h2π = 6.6 × 10−342 × 3.14
h2π = 1.05 × 10-34 Js.

5. Which of the following is true regarding the Bohr model of atoms?

a) Assumes that the angular momentum of electrons is quantized
b) Uses Faraday’s laws
c) Predicts continuous emission spectra for atoms
d) Predicts the same emission spectra for all types of atoms
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Bohr model of atoms assumes that the angular momentum of electrons is quantized.
The atom is held between the nucleus and surroundings by electrostatic forces. The other options
are not valid.

6. In terms of Bohr radius a0, the radius of the second Bohr orbit of a hydrogen atom is given by √2 a0.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The equation is given as:
r n = r1 n 2
r2 = (2)2r0 = 4r0. Thus, in terms of Bohr radius a0, the radius of the second Bohr orbit of a hydrogen
atom is given by 4 a0.

7. Hydrogen atoms are excited from ground state to the state of principal quantum number 4. Then,
what will be the number of spectral lines observed?
a) 3
b) 6
c) 5
d) 2
View Answer
Answer: d
Explanation: n = 4.
The number of spectral lines emitted = n(n−1)2.
n(n−1)2=(4×3)6 = 2

8. When a hydrogen atom is in its first excited level, what is the relation of radius and Bohr radius?
a) Twice
b) 4 times
c) Same
d) Half
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: For the first excited level, n = 2.
r2 = (2)2r0 = 4r0.
So, when a hydrogen atom is in its first excited level, its radius is 4 times of the Bohr radius.

DE Broglie’s Explanation of Bohr’s Second Postulate of Quantisation

This set of Class 12 Physics Chapter 12 Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “DE
Broglie’s Explanation of Bohr’s Second Postulate of Quantisation”.

1. Identify the expression for Bohr’s second postulate.

a) L = nh/2∏
b) L = 2p/nh
c) L = nh*2p
d) L = n2p
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: According to Bohr’s second postulate, an electron revolves around the nucleus of an
atom in orbits and, therefore, the angular momentum of the revolution is an integral multiple
of h/2p, where h is the Planck’s constant. Thus, the expression for angular momentum is given as:
L = nh/2p

2. How did de – Broglie modify Bohr’s postulate?

a) de – Broglie suggested to not take angular momentum into consideration
b) de – Broglie suggested introducing an electric field near the atom
c) de – Broglie suggested that electrons behaved like a wave
d) de – Broglie did not modify Bohr’s second postulate
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: de – Broglie hypothesis did modify Bohr’s second postulate. This postulate of Bohr
regarding the quantization of the angular momentum of an electron was further explained by Louis
de Broglie. According to de – Broglie, a moving electron in its circular orbit behaves like a particle-
wave.

3. Which of the following can be chosen to analogously represent the behavior of a particle?
a) Metal rod
b) String
c) Elastic rubber
d) Glass rod
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: A string is used to represent the behavior of a particle analogously to the waves
traveling on it. Particle waves can lead to standing waves held under resonant conditions. When a
stationary string is plucked, it causes several wavelengths to be excited. But, we know that only the
ones which have nodes at the ends will survive.

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4. Distance and wavelengths are proportional in a string when referring to the behavior of a particle.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Yes, this is a true statement. In a string, standing waves are formed only when the total
distance traveled by a wave is an integral number of wavelengths. In this way, distance and
wavelength are proportional to each other. Hence, the expression is given as:
2πrk = kλ

5. How did de – Broglie conclude the modification of Bohr’s II postulate?

a) de – Broglie concluded that electrons cannot be quantized
b) de – Broglie concluded that the wavelength of electrons should be reduced
c) de – Broglie concluded that angular momentum cannot be quantized
d) de – Broglie concluded that wavelengths of matter waves can be quantized
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: de – Broglie concluded his modification of Bohr’s second postulate by stating that the
wavelengths of matter waves can be quantized. This implies that the electrons can exist in those
orbits which had a complete set of several wavelengths.

ASSERTION AND REASON QUESTIONS:

Directions: These questions consist of two statements, each printed as Assertion and Reason. While
answering these questions, you are required to choose any one of the following four responses.
(a) If both Assertion and Reason are correct and the Reason is a correct explanation of the Assertion.
(b) If both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not a correct explanation of the Assertion.
(c) If the Assertion is correct but Reason is incorrect.
(d) If both the Assertion and Reason are incorrect.

Q.1. Assertion : The force of repulsion between atomic nucleus and α-particle varies with distance
according to inverse square law.
Reason : Rutherford did α-particle scattering experiment.

Answer(b) Rutherford confirmed that the repulsive force of α- particle due to nucleus varies with
distance according to inverse square law and that the positive charges are concentrated at the centre
and not distributed throughout the atom.
Q.2. Assertion : According to classical theory the proposed path of an electron in Rutherford atom
model will be parabolic.
Reason : According to electromagnetic theory an accelerated particle continuously emits radiation.

Answer(d) According to classical electromagnetic theory, an accelerated charged particle

continuously emits radiation. As electrons revolving in circular paths are constantly experiencing
centripetal acceleration, hence they will be losing their energy continuously and the orbital radius
will go on decreasing, form spiral and finally the electron will fall in the nucleus.

Q.3. Assertion : Bohr had to postulate that the electrons in stationary orbits around the nucleus do
not radiate.
Reason: According to classical physics all moving electrons radiate.

Answer(b) Bohr postulated that electrons in stationary orbits around the nucleus do not radiate. This
is the one of Bohr’s postulate, According to this the moving electrons radiates only when they go
from one orbit to the next lower orbit.

Q.4. Assertion : Electrons in the atom are held due to coulomb forces.
Reason : The atom is stable only because the centripetal force due to Coulomb’s law is balanced by
the centrifugal force.

Answer(c) According to postulates of Bohr’s atom model the electron revolves around the nucleus in
fixed orbit of definite radii. As long as the electron is in a certain orbit it does not radiate any energy.

Q.5. Assertion : Hydrogen atom consists of only one electron but its emission spectrum has many
lines.
Reason : Only Lyman series is found in the absorption spectrum of hydrogen atom whereas in the
emission
spectrum, all the series are found.

Answer(b) When the atom gets appropriate energy from outside, then this electron rises to some
higher energy level. Now it can return either directly to the lower energy level or come to the lowest
energy level after passing through other lower energy levels hence all possible transitions take place
in the source and many lines are seen in the spectrum.

Q.6. Assertion : Between any two given energy levels, the number of absorption transitions is always
less than the number of emission transitions.

Reason : Absorption transitions start from the lowest energy level only and may end at any higher
energy level. But emission transitions may start from any higher energy level and end at any energy
level below it.

Answer
Q.7. Assertion : In Lyman series, the ratio of minimum and maximum wavelength is 3/4
Reason : Lyman series constitute spectral lines corresponding to transition from higher energy to
ground
state of hydrogen atom.

Answer(b)