Nuclear And Particle Physics UPSC Physics Optional Questions

1. Write down the configuration of $^7Li, ^{13}C$ and $ ^{25}Mg$ in the ground state of the nuclear shell model. [Mains 2002]

2. Explain shell model of the nucleus. Give evidence for nuclear shell structure. What are the limitations of the shell model?

3. Describe how parity violation was experimentally detected in $ ^{60}Co \,\beta$-decay. How was the observed asymmetry in the distribution of emitted electrons explained? [Mains 2005]

4. Explain how energy is released in stars.

5. Calculate the spin and parities of the ground states of $ _2^4He$ and $ _{30}^{67}Zn$ nuclei. [Mains 2005]

6. What is the difference between neutrino and antineutrino? How is the helicity of neutrino determined? [Mains 2004]

7. Calculate the fission rate of $^{235}U$ required to produce 4 watts and the amount fissioning of $1\mathrm{\ }kg$ of $ ^{235}U$. (Assuming energy released per fission of $^{235}U$ is $200MeV$ ). [Mains 2004]

8. Write down the Bethe-Weizsacker formula. Explain various terms of the formula. [Mains 2005]

9. Differentiate between K-capture and inverse $\beta$-decay. Explain what is internal conversion and how it differs from $\beta$-decay. [Mains 2005]

10. Write down the nucleonic configuration of $ ^7Li,\ ^{12}C,\ ^{17}O \ $and$ \ ^{27}Al $. In the ground state of the nuclear shell model and hence calculate the corresponding ground state angular momenta and parties. How do the observed ground state angular momenta and parities agree with those predicted on the basis of the shell model? [Mains 2007]

11. Explain why a neutral particle such as neutron possesses a finite value of magnetic moment, and how it is determined? [Mains 2002]

12. Describe in detail one experiment for detection of Neutrino. [Mains 2004]

13. Explain how neutrino was discovered from the $\beta$-decay of radioactive nuclei. [Mains 2002]

14. List some of the important properties of deuteron and show that it is a loosely bound system and has only one bound state. [Mains 2003]

15. Calculate the Q-value of the reaction: $ _4^9Be\left(\ _2^4He,n\right)\ _6^{12}C$. Given Mass $\left(\ ^9Be\right)=9.012183u$ Mass $\left(\ ^4He\right)=4.002603u$ Mass $\left(\ ^{12}C\right)=12.000u$ [Mains 2005]

16. Calculate Binding energy per nucleon of $ _2^4He$ and $^{16}_8O$.

17. Distinguish between a nuclear reaction and decay. Which conservation laws are obeyed in nuclear reactions? Explain the significance of Q value. Calculate the Q value for the following nuclear reaction $ _1^2H+\ _1^2H=\ _2^3He+n$ [Mains 2003]

18. Sketch carefully the binding energy per nucleon curve for stable nuclei. Explain its salient features. On the basis of this curve explain why fusion is possible only for low-mass nuclei, whereas fission takes place in heavy nuclei. [Mains 2003]