Nuclei

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Question
CBSEENPH12039401

Name the electromagnetic radiations used for (a) water purification, and (b) eye surgery

Solution

(a) Electromagnetic radiation used for water purification: U.V (Ultra Violet) rays.

(b)  Electromagnetic radiation used for eye surgery: Infrared Radiation (Laser light).

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Question
CBSEENPH12039426

Explain the processes of nuclear fission and nuclear fusion by using the plot of binding energy per nucleon (BE/A) versus the mass number A.

Solution

Nuclear Fission:

When a heavy nucleus (A > 235 say) breaks into two lighter nuclei (nuclear fission), the binding energy per nucleon increases i.e, nucleons get more tightly bound. This implies that energy would be released in nuclear fission.

Nuclear Fusion:

When two very light nuclei join to form a heavy nucleus, the binding is energy per nucleon of fused heavier nucleus more than the binding energy per nucleon of lighter nuclei, so again energy would be released in nuclear fusion.

Example:H21 + H21     H2e4 + 26 Mev

BE Graph:

Question
CBSEENPH12039427

A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 10 years. How long will it take for the activity to reduce to 3.125 %?

Solution

A0  = 100

At = 3.125

At = A0.e-λt

3.125 = 100 e-0.69310t3.125100 = e-0.0693 t1003.125 = e0.0693 tloge 1003.125 = 0.0693 tt2 = 2.303 log10120.0693t = 50.1 years

Question
CBSEENPH12039585

The above is a plot of binding energy per nucleon Eb, against the nuclear mass M; A, B, C, D, E, F correspond to different nuclei. Consider four reactions:

(i) A + B → C + ε  (ii) C → A + B + ε
(iii) D + E → F + ε and (iv) F → D + E +ε

where ε is the energy released? In which reaction is ε positive?

  • (i) and (iv)

  • (i) and (iii)

  • (ii) and (iv)

  • (ii) and (iii)

Solution

A.

(i) and (iv)

Binding energy per nucleon of each product is less than that of each reactant.