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Nuclei Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide

A

Ayush (Founder)

Exam Strategist

Last Updated: 2026-04-20
  • E = mc²
  • E = Δmc²
  • λ = h/(mv)
  • R = ρL/A
  • ρ = m/V
  • F = GmM/r²
  • v = u + at
  • K = (1/2)mv²
  • P = ΔE/Δt
  • ΔE = Q + W
  • Q = mcΔT
  • W = F × d
  • d = vt
  • T = 2π √(l/g)
  • f = 1/T
  • λ = v/f
  • v = √(2gh)
  • g = Gm/r²
  • Δp = γ × ΔV
  • γ = (nRT)/(PV)
  • n = PV/(RT)
  • R = 8.314 J/mol·K
  • T₉₂ = (3/2) × (k_B) × T
  • k_B = 1.38 × 10⁻²³ J/K
  • N = N₀ × e^(-λt)
  • λ = ln(2)/t₁/₂
  • t₁/₂ = ln(2)/λ
  • A = λN
  • N = N₀ × (1/2)^(t/t₁/₂)

🪤 The 5 Mistakes That Cost Marks

  • Not using the correct units for physical quantities
  • Forgetting to convert units before plugging into formulas
  • Not considering the sign conventions for physical quantities
  • Not using the correct equation for a given situation
  • Not checking the units of the final answer

✏️ 3 Solved PYQs

  • Question 1: A nucleus of mass m and charge q is at rest and splits into two nuclei of masses m₁ and m₂ and charges q₁ and q₂. If the kinetic energy of the first nucleus is K₁ and that of the second nucleus is K₂, find the ratio of their kinetic energies. Step 1: Apply conservation of momentum to find the ratio of velocities Steps 2: Use the equation for kinetic energy to find the ratio of kinetic energies Answer: K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁
  • Question 2: A radioactive substance has a half-life of 10 years. If 100 g of the substance is left after 20 years, find the initial mass of the substance. Step 1: Use the equation for radioactive decay to find the ratio of initial and final masses Step 2: Plug ∈ the given values to find the initial mass Answer: 400 g
  • Question 3: A nucleus of ²³⁸U undergoes α decay. Find the kinetic energy of the α particle. Step 1: Find the mass defect of the reaction Step 2: Use the equation E = mc² to find the kinetic energy of the α particle Answer: 4.2 MeV

🧠 The One Thing Most Students Get Wrong

  • Most students get the concept of nuclear binding energy wrong.
  • Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons.
  • It is not the energy released when a nucleus is formed.
  • The correct equation for nuclear binding energy is ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²
  • Where Z is the number of protons, N is the number of neutrons, ∓ is the mass of a proton, mn is the mass of a neutron, and m is the mass of the nucleus.

👁️ Ayush's Note

  • To solve problems related to nuclei, always start by identifying the given quantities and the unknown quantities.
  • Use the equations for conservation of energy, momentum, and charge to find the unknown quantities.
  • Always check the units of the final answer.
  • Practice as many problems as possible to develop problem-solving skills.
  • For JEE Advanced and NEET, focus on solving problems related to nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, and nuclear binding energy.
  • Use shortcuts like the equation for kinetic energy and the equation for radioactive decay to save time.

🔁 Last 5 Minutes Box

  • Last 5 minutes revision:
    • Nuclear binding energy: ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²
    • Radioactive decay: N = N₀ × e^(-λt)
    • Kinetic energy: K = (1/2)mv²
    • Conservation of energy: ΔE = Q + W
    • Conservation of momentum: p = mv

📝 Practice MCQs

1. What is the binding energy of a nucleus of ⁴He?

A) 28.3 MeV

B) 30.4 MeV

C) 32.5 MeV

D) 34.6 MeV

Answer: A) 28.3 MeV.

2. A radioactive substance has a half-life of 5 years. If 50 g of the substance is left after 10 years, find the initial mass of the substance.

A) 100 g

B) 200 g

C) 400 g

D) 800 g

Answer: B) 200 g.

3. What is the kinetic energy of an α particle emitted by a nucleus of ²³⁸U?

A) 4.2 MeV

B) 5.5 MeV

C) 6.8 MeV

D) 8.1 MeV

Answer: A) 4.2 MeV.

4. What is the equation for nuclear binding energy?

A) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²

B) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn + m)/(Z + N) × c²

C) ΔE = (Z∓ - Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²

D) ΔE = (Z∓ - Nmn + m)/(Z + N) × c²

Answer: A) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c².

5. What is the ratio of the kinetic energies of two nuclei of masses m₁ and m₂?

A) K₁/K₂ = m₁/m₂

B) K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁

C) K₁/K₂ = (m₁/m₂)²

D) K₁/K₂ = (m₂/m₁)²

Answer: B) K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁.


🚀 Ready to Ace Your Exam?

Put your knowledge to the test! Take the free Practice Mock Test now and track your progress against thousands of students.

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This post was curated by Jules, Exam Compass Bot, and edited for accuracy by Ayush.


📚 Related Topics

Continue your revision with these related guides:

  • 📖 Atoms Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Communication Systems Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Dual Nature Of Radiation Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
A

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Prepared for Scholar
Date: 2026-04-20
CATEGORY: Exam Notes
  • E = mc²
  • E = Δmc²
  • λ = h/(mv)
  • R = ρL/A
  • ρ = m/V
  • F = GmM/r²
  • v = u + at
  • K = (1/2)mv²
  • P = ΔE/Δt
  • ΔE = Q + W
  • Q = mcΔT
  • W = F × d
  • d = vt
  • T = 2π √(l/g)
  • f = 1/T
  • λ = v/f
  • v = √(2gh)
  • g = Gm/r²
  • Δp = γ × ΔV
  • γ = (nRT)/(PV)
  • n = PV/(RT)
  • R = 8.314 J/mol·K
  • T₉₂ = (3/2) × (k_B) × T
  • k_B = 1.38 × 10⁻²³ J/K
  • N = N₀ × e^(-λt)
  • λ = ln(2)/t₁/₂
  • t₁/₂ = ln(2)/λ
  • A = λN
  • N = N₀ × (1/2)^(t/t₁/₂)

🪤 The 5 Mistakes That Cost Marks

  • Not using the correct units for physical quantities
  • Forgetting to convert units before plugging into formulas
  • Not considering the sign conventions for physical quantities
  • Not using the correct equation for a given situation
  • Not checking the units of the final answer

✏️ 3 Solved PYQs

  • Question 1: A nucleus of mass m and charge q is at rest and splits into two nuclei of masses m₁ and m₂ and charges q₁ and q₂. If the kinetic energy of the first nucleus is K₁ and that of the second nucleus is K₂, find the ratio of their kinetic energies. Step 1: Apply conservation of momentum to find the ratio of velocities Steps 2: Use the equation for kinetic energy to find the ratio of kinetic energies Answer: K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁
  • Question 2: A radioactive substance has a half-life of 10 years. If 100 g of the substance is left after 20 years, find the initial mass of the substance. Step 1: Use the equation for radioactive decay to find the ratio of initial and final masses Step 2: Plug ∈ the given values to find the initial mass Answer: 400 g
  • Question 3: A nucleus of ²³⁸U undergoes α decay. Find the kinetic energy of the α particle. Step 1: Find the mass defect of the reaction Step 2: Use the equation E = mc² to find the kinetic energy of the α particle Answer: 4.2 MeV

🧠 The One Thing Most Students Get Wrong

  • Most students get the concept of nuclear binding energy wrong.
  • Nuclear binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons.
  • It is not the energy released when a nucleus is formed.
  • The correct equation for nuclear binding energy is ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²
  • Where Z is the number of protons, N is the number of neutrons, ∓ is the mass of a proton, mn is the mass of a neutron, and m is the mass of the nucleus.

👁️ Ayush's Note

  • To solve problems related to nuclei, always start by identifying the given quantities and the unknown quantities.
  • Use the equations for conservation of energy, momentum, and charge to find the unknown quantities.
  • Always check the units of the final answer.
  • Practice as many problems as possible to develop problem-solving skills.
  • For JEE Advanced and NEET, focus on solving problems related to nuclear reactions, radioactive decay, and nuclear binding energy.
  • Use shortcuts like the equation for kinetic energy and the equation for radioactive decay to save time.

🔁 Last 5 Minutes Box

  • Last 5 minutes revision:
    • Nuclear binding energy: ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²
    • Radioactive decay: N = N₀ × e^(-λt)
    • Kinetic energy: K = (1/2)mv²
    • Conservation of energy: ΔE = Q + W
    • Conservation of momentum: p = mv

📝 Practice MCQs

1. What is the binding energy of a nucleus of ⁴He?

A) 28.3 MeV

B) 30.4 MeV

C) 32.5 MeV

D) 34.6 MeV

Answer: A) 28.3 MeV.

2. A radioactive substance has a half-life of 5 years. If 50 g of the substance is left after 10 years, find the initial mass of the substance.

A) 100 g

B) 200 g

C) 400 g

D) 800 g

Answer: B) 200 g.

3. What is the kinetic energy of an α particle emitted by a nucleus of ²³⁸U?

A) 4.2 MeV

B) 5.5 MeV

C) 6.8 MeV

D) 8.1 MeV

Answer: A) 4.2 MeV.

4. What is the equation for nuclear binding energy?

A) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²

B) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn + m)/(Z + N) × c²

C) ΔE = (Z∓ - Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c²

D) ΔE = (Z∓ - Nmn + m)/(Z + N) × c²

Answer: A) ΔE = (Z∓ + Nmn - m)/(Z + N) × c².

5. What is the ratio of the kinetic energies of two nuclei of masses m₁ and m₂?

A) K₁/K₂ = m₁/m₂

B) K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁

C) K₁/K₂ = (m₁/m₂)²

D) K₁/K₂ = (m₂/m₁)²

Answer: B) K₁/K₂ = m₂/m₁.


🚀 Ready to Ace Your Exam?

Put your knowledge to the test! Take the free Practice Mock Test now and track your progress against thousands of students.

🎬 Watch video explanations on YouTube →


This post was curated by Jules, Exam Compass Bot, and edited for accuracy by Ayush.


📚 Related Topics

Continue your revision with these related guides:

  • 📖 Atoms Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Communication Systems Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Dual Nature Of Radiation Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide
  • 📖 Electromagnetic Waves Class 12 Physics Revision — Grandmaster Guide