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Chapter 21
physics • intermediate 12th

Chapter 21: Nuclear Physics

Comprehensive notes for Chapter 21 Nuclear Physics. Covers Atomic Nucleus, Isotopes, Mass Spectrograph, Mass Defect, Binding Energy, and Radioactivity.

Atomic Nucleus

Structure: Central positive core containing protons and neutrons (nucleons). Radius $$ \approx 10^{-15} m $$ (10,000 times smaller than atom).

Charge Number (Z): Number of protons.

Mass Number (A): Total protons + neutrons. $$ A = Z + N $$.

Isotopes: Atoms with same Z but different A (e.g., $$ ^1H, ^2H, ^3H $$).

Mass Spectrograph

Device to separate isotopes and measure their masses.

Principle: Ions are accelerated by potential V and then deflected by magnetic field B. $$ \frac{mv^2}{r} = qvB \implies r = \frac{mv}{qB} $$.

Mass Formula: $$ m = \frac{q B^2 r^2}{2V} $$. Mass is proportional to $$ r^2 $$.

Mass Defect and Binding Energy

Mass Defect ($$ \Delta m $$): Difference between sum of nucleon masses and nucleus mass. $$ \Delta m = Zm_p + (A-Z)m_n - M_{nuc} $$.

Binding Energy (B.E): Energy equivalent to mass defect. $$ B.E = \Delta m c^2 $$.

B.E per Nucleon: Maximum for Iron ($$ 8.8 MeV $$). Fission/Fusion release energy to move towards this stability.

Radioactivity

Definition: Spontaneous emission of radiation by unstable nuclei ($$ Z > 82 $$).

Types:

  • Alpha Decay: Emission of Helium nucleus ($$ ^4_2He $$). Z decreases by 2, A decreases by 4.
  • Beta Decay: Emission of electron ($$ ^0_{-1}e $$). Neutron converts to proton + electron + antineutrino. Z increases by 1.
  • Gamma Decay: Emission of high energy photon ($$ \gamma $$). No change in Z or A. Occurs after alpha/beta decay when nucleus is excited.

Half Life

Definition: Time required for half of the radioactive atoms to decay.

Formula: $$ N = N_0 (\frac{1}{2})^n $$ where $$ n = \frac{t}{T_{1/2}} $$ is number of half lives.

Decay Law: Rate of decay is proportional to number of atoms present. $$ \frac{\Delta N}{\Delta t} = -\lambda N $$.

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