AP Physics B – Nuclear Physics- Multiple Choice Practice Questions

Let us discuss some multiple choice questions on nuclear physics which will benefit AP Physics B aspirants:

(1) The ratio of the nuclear radius of ₅₂Te¹²⁵ to that of ₁₃Al²⁷ is

(a) 4

(b) 125/17

(c) ¼

(d) 5/3

(e) 3/5

The nuclear radius of an atom of mass number A is given by

R =R₀A^1/3 where R₀ = 1.2×10^–15 m.

The required ratio is therefore (125/27)^1/3 which is equal to 5/3.

(2) A nucleus of ₉₂U²³⁸ gets converted into a ₉₁Pa²³⁴ nucleus. The particles emitted during this decay are

(a) one α-particle and one positron

(b) one α-particle and one electron

(c) one α-particle and one antineutrino

(d) one α-particle and one neutrino

(e) one α-particle and two β-particles

The mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 1 in the above decay. When an α-particle is emitted, the mass number decreases by 4 and the atomic number decreases by 2. The atomic number can be increased by one from this condition only if an electron also is emitted. The correct option therefore is (b).

(3) The de Broglie wave length of an α-particle of mass m emitted by a nucleus of mass M initially at rest is λ. The de Broglie wave length of the nucleus immediately after the α-emission is

(a) λ

(b) λ (M– m)/m

(c) λm/(M–m)

(d) λ (m/M)²

(e) λ (M/m)²

The nucleus has a recoil momentum on emitting the α-particle. Since the parent nucleus is initially at rest, its recoil momentum has the same magnitude as that of the α-particle but the direction is opposite in accordance with the law of conservation of momentum. The de Broglie wave length λ of the α-particle is given by

λ = h/p where h is Planck’s constant.

Since the recoil momentum of the nucleus has the same magnitude p the de Broglie wave length of the nucleus immediately after the α-emission is λ itself [Option (a)].

(4) Complete the following relation representing one possible fission process:

₀n¹ + ₉₂U²³⁵→ ₃₈Sr⁹⁰ + ----

(a) ₅₄Xe¹⁴⁵

(b) ₅₄Xe¹⁴⁵ + 3 ₀n¹

(c) ₅₄Xe¹⁴³ + 3 ₀n¹

(d) ₅₄Xe¹⁴² + ₀n¹

(e) ₅₄Xe¹⁴² + 3 ₀n¹

The total mass number and the total atomic number on the two sides will match only if the relation is completed with the terms given in option (c).

(5) The mass m of any particle of rest mass m₀ at speed v is given by Einstein’s relativistic relation,

m = m₀/[1– (v²/c²)]^1/2 where c is the speed of light in free space.

The rest energy of an electron is 0.511 MeV. The increase in the energy of the electron when it is accelerated from rest to 80% of the speed of light in free space is (very nearly)

(a) 0.341 MeV

(b) 0.405 MeV

(c) 0.511 Mev

(d) 0.852 Mev

(e) 0.916 Mev

We have m₀c² = 0.511 Mev for the electron.

The total energy at a speed of 0.8 c is m₀c²/[1– (v²/c²)]^1/2 = m₀c²/(0.36)^1/2 since v = 0.8 c.

But m₀c² = 0.511 Mev so that the total energy is 0.511/0.6 = 0.852 MeV nearly.

The increase in the energy is 0.852 – 0.511 = 0.341 MeV.