Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity

Question 1

Define Binding energy

Answer 1

Binding energy is defined as the amount of energy released when two individual particles such as protons and neutrons combine to form a nucleus

Question 2

mass defect

Answer 2

Loss in mass

Question 3

Concept of binding energy and loss in mass

Answer 3

Loss in mass is converted to binding energy

Question 4

Examples of loss in mass being converted to energy

Answer 4

fusion of hydrogen into helium in the centre of the sun

fision of uranium in nuclear power plants

Question 5

which nucleus is more stable? the one with higher Binding energy or lower binding energy?

Answer 5

Nucleus with higher binding energy is more stable becuase the left over nucleus has lower energy and is more stable.

Question 6

does a stable nucles have the property of undergoing radioactivity?

Answer 6

A stable nucleus is less probable of exhibiting radioactivty.

Question 7

Define fusion and fission

Answer 7

Fusion is a nuclear process where smaller nuclei join up to form a bigger nuclei so that the product formed has a higher binding energy and is more stable

Fission is a nuclear process where larger nuclei are broken down into smaller nuclei which are going to be more stable and have higher binding energy.m

Question 8

Conditions for a radioactive process to take place.

Answer 8

the binding energy of the products should be more as they should be more stable than the reactants whose binding energy should be less making them more probable of undegoing radioactivity.

Question 9

define Radioactivity.

Answer 9

Radioactivity is a random and spontaneous process

Question 10

Define spontaneous and random

Answer 10

Random means that the countrate fluctuates.

spontaneous means that the reaction does not depend on enviormental factors such as temperature.

Question 10

why does decay constant have a negative sign.

Answer 10

the number of radioactive nuclei continue to decrease with time hence they have a negative sign.

Question 11

define Activity (A)

Answer 11

Activity is the rate of decay

Question 12

Define decay constant

Answer 12

Decay constant is the probability of decay per unit time

Question 13

Define Becquerel

Answer 13

the activity of a sample is said to be 1 Bq if 1 radioactive nuclei decays per second

Question 14

Define Half life

Answer 14

Half life is the time taken for the activity of a sample to reduce to half its initial value.

Question 15

why dont the neutrons have binding energy?

Answer 15

this is becuase neutrons are a single particle.