Physics

Nuclear and Atomic Physics

571 Questions

Nuclear and atomic physics explores the components and properties of the nucleus, including isotopes, radioactive decay, and fundamental forces. These concepts are essential for various competitive exams requiring a strong foundation in physics. The provided questions cover structural properties, mass, energy equivalence, and particle interactions.

Nucleus propertiesIsotopes and mass numberAlpha particle scatteringNuclear forcesMass energy equivalenceBeta particle emission

Nuclear and Atomic Physics Questions

Multiple choice

What is meant by nuclear binding energy?

  1. Energy required to keep two fissile nuclei together

  2. Energy required to prevent a fissile nucleus from splitting

  3. Energy required to split a nucleus into its components

  4. Energy possessed by sub-nucleic particles
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. The component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons. The binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number, since all nuclei require net energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is incorrect about the nucleus?

  1. It is the central part of an atom.

  2. It is neutral in charge.

  3. All protons and neutrons are present in this region.

  4. It is 105 times smaller than the size of the atom.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is incorrect as it is positively charged.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect for the 'model of atom' as proposed by Rutherford?

  1. There is a positively charged centre in an atom called the nucleus.

  2. Nearly all the mass of an atom resides in the nucleus.

  3. The electrons revolve around the nucleus in circular paths.

  4. Nucleus contains protons and neutrons.

  5. The size of the nucleus in the atom is very small.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer choice as Rutherford did not draw this conclusion based on his model of the atom.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct about the characteristics of an atom?

a. Atoms are electrically neutral. b. Nucleus of an atom is positively charged. c. The protons and neutrons in a nucleus rearrange themselves due to emission of y-rays.

  1. a only

  2. b only

  3. c only

  4. a and b

  5. a, b and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as both statements are correct. Atoms are electrically neutral because they have equal numbers of protons (positively charged) and electrons (negatively charged). Because neutrons have no charge and protons have positive charge, the overall charge of the nucleus is positive.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements are true regarding the structure of an atom?

  1. The structure of an atom is somewhat like the solar system

  2. The nucleus is made of protons and neutrons

  3. Electrons have negative charge and move around the nucleus

  4. All the statements are true regarding structure of an atom
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All the statements given are true as the structure of an atom is somewhat like the solar system. The nucleus is made of protons and neutrons. Protons have positive charge electrons have negative charge and move around the nucleus so 4th option is.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not true?

  1. Protons are having positive charge.

  2. Neutrons are having negative charge.

  3. Electrons are having no charge.

  4. Both (2) and (3)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Both option (2) and (3) are incorrect as electrons are having negative charge and neutrons are having  no charge or are neutrals so 4th option is the answer.

Multiple choice

What is meant by nuclear binding energy?

  1. Energy required to keep two fissile nuclei together.

  2. Energy required to prevent a fissile nucleus from splitting.

  3. Energy required to split a nucleus into its components.

  4. Energy possessed by sub-nucleic particles.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to split a nucleus of an atom into its component parts. The component parts are neutrons and protons, which are collectively called nucleons. The binding energy of nuclei is always a positive number because all nuclei require net energy to separate them into individual protons and neutrons.

Multiple choice

Why does atomic size increase down a group?

  1. Due to increase in nuclear charge

  2. Due to increase in the distance between the outermost electron and the nucleus

  3. Due to increase in the force of attraction between the outermost electron and the nucleus

  4. Due to increase in valence electrons
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Atomic size increases down a group because the distance between the outermost electron and the nucleus increases.