NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics, Chapter 13 - NUCLEI

In this chapter, you’ll study Nuclei in detail. The previous chapter was about the atom and formation of the nucleus in the middle of the atom. It is interesting to know that the size of the nucleus is extremely small as compared to an atom; however, the nucleus consists of more than 99.9% of the mass of an atom. In this chapter, you’ll learn about the structure of a nucleus, different characteristics of a nucleus, atomic masses and composition of a nucleus, mass-energy formula (E = mc2 ) as proposed by Einstein, nuclear binding energy, nuclear force, fission, the discovery of radioactivity and the three famous laws of radioactivity decay, nuclear reactors and production and usage of nuclear energy.

Thus, an in-depth study of Class 12 Physics NCERT Solutions Chapter 13 will give you a good understanding of significant aspects of Nuclei.

Let’s take a look at topics and sub-topics of Class 12 Physics Chapter 13 – NUCLEI

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Atomic Masses and Composition of Nucleus

13.3 Size of the Nucleus

13.4 Mass-Energy and Nuclear Binding Energy

13.4.1 Mass – Energy

13.4.2 Nuclear binding energy

13.5 Nuclear Force

13.6 Radioactivity

13.6.1 Law of radioactive decay

13.6.2 Alpha decay

13.6.3 Beta decay

13.6.4 Gamma decay

13.7 Nuclear Energy

13.7.1 Fission

13.7.2 Nuclear reactor

13.7.3 Nuclear fusion – energy generation in stars

13.7.4 Controlled thermonuclear fusion

In Class 12 Physics Chapter 13, you will learn – 

Section 13.2 – In this section, you will study about atomic masses and composition of the nucleus, the atomic masses of various elements, how accurate measurement of atomic masses is carried out, what does the measurement of atomic masses reveal, the discovery of the neutron and what are isobars all about.

Section 13.3 – In this section, you’ll acquire knowledge about the size of the nucleus and the classic experiments made by Geiger and Marsden on the scattering of α-particles from thin gold foils.

Section 13.4 – In this section, you’ll learn about the famous mass-energy equivalence relation E = mc2 given by Einstein and also Einstein’s theory of special relativity revealing the necessity to treat mass as another form of energy. You’ll also study nuclear binding energy, mass defect and binding energy per nucleon.

Section 13.5 – In this section, you will study about Coulomb force, various features of the nuclear binding force and saturation of forces.

Section 13.6 – In this section, you’ll learn about radioactivity in detail discovered by A. H. Becquerel in 1896. You’ll also study what radioactive decay is and three types of radioactive decay that occurs in nature, the law of radioactive decay and what alpha decay, beta decay and gamma decay are.

Section 13.7 – In this section, you’ll learn about nuclear energy, what happens in a nuclear reaction by bombarding nuclei with other nuclear particles such as proton, neutron, α-particle, etc, what is fission, example of fission, what is a nuclear reactor, how it works and source of energy in nuclear reactors. You’ll also acquire knowledge about moderators, multiplication factor, coolant and nuclear fusion.

In this chapter, you are provided with several examples with their solutions for a clear understanding of Nuclei. To know more about NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 13, you should explore the exercises mentioned in this chapter. You can also download the NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 13 PDF, solved by our science experts.