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

A nucleus of an atom contains ____?

  1. Protons and neutrons

  2. Electrons

  3. Neutrons and electrons

  4. Neutrons
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The atomic nucleus is the central part of an atom, consisting of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons.

Multiple choice

The heaviest particle is ____ .

  1. proton

  2. neutron

  3. electron

  4. none of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A neutron has a mass of approximately 1.0087 amu, which is slightly heavier than a proton (1.0073 amu) and significantly heavier than an electron.

Multiple choice

_____is the fundamental particle.

  1. Proton

  2. O2

  3. NL

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Protons are fundamental subatomic particles found in the nucleus of an atom. Oxygen (O2) is a molecule, and NL is not a standard particle designation.

Multiple choice

1.66×10-27 kg mass

  1. electron

  2. proton

  3. neutron

  4. nucleus
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The mass of a neutron is approximately 1.67 x 10^-27 kg, which is very close to the value provided. Protons have a similar mass, but neutrons are slightly heavier and are the standard answer for this specific value in many textbooks.

Multiple choice

Some researchers consider "anti-matter" to be the ultimate source of propulsion energy. In anti-matter, as opposed to matter, electrical charges are reversed. A proton of matter has a positive charge. An anti-proton has a negative charge. When matter collides with antimatter in a particle accelerator, the two annihilate each other, producing phenomenal energy. It almost completely converts matter into energy. Anti-matter annihilation is about 100 times more powerful than nuclear fission, and it is about 10 billion times more energetic than present day chemical (rocket) engines".

What explains the non-usage of anti-matter in spite of the apparent advantages?

  1. Anti-matter serves to create propulsion energy only.

  2. Anti-matter is produced by the collision of nuclear particles.

  3. Anti-matter has scope for misuse.

  4. Anti-matter generates energy only through its collision with matter.

  5. Anti-matter does not occur naturally.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

(5) If we can create anti-matter on a large scale, we shall virtually have limitless chemical energy. The problem, however, is that it does not occur naturally and has to be created. Thus it brings us back to the problem of generation. (2) is not the answer because it does not rule out anti-matter being generated in nature.

Multiple choice

Nuclear fission is caused by the impact of

  1. electron

  2. proton

  3. neutron

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nuclear fission occurs when a heavy nucleus is struck by a neutron, causing it to split into smaller nuclei and release energy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a sub atomic particle?

  1. Proton

  2. Neutron

  3. Electron

  4. Molecule

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are the fundamental subatomic particles that make up an atom. A molecule is a group of atoms bonded together, not a subatomic particle.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true regarding the sub atomic particles of matter?

  1. In an atom, number of protons is always equal to the number of electrons.

  2. In an atom, numbers of protons is always equal to the number of neutrons.

  3. In an atom, number of protons is always more than the number of neutrons.

  4. In an atom, number of neutrons is always more than the number of electrons.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In a neutral atom, the number of protons (positive charge) must equal the number of electrons (negative charge) to maintain electrical neutrality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following pairs forms an electrically neutral atom?

  1. Proton and neutron

  2. Proton and electron

  3. Neutron and electron

  4. Nucleus and electron
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

An atom is electrically neutral because the positive charge of the protons in the nucleus is balanced by the negative charge of the electrons orbiting the nucleus.