Nuclear Reactions (Part - 1)

Q.249. An alpha-particle with kinetic energy Tα =7 .0 MeV is scattered elastically

by an initially stationary Li6 nucleus. Find the kinetic energy of the recoil nucleus
if the angle of divergence of the two particles is = 60°.
Ans. Initial momentum of the a particle is is a unit vector in the

incident direction). Final momenta are respectively Conservation of

momentum reads

Squaring (1)

where is the angle between

Also by energy conservation

(m & M are respectively the masses of a particle and ) So

(2)

Substracting (2) from (1) we see that

Thus if

Since pα, pLi are both positive number (being magnitudes of vectors) we must have

This being understood, we write

Hence the recoil energy of the Li, nucleus is

As we pointed out above recoil energy of Li = 6 MeV

Q.250. A neutron collides elastically with an initially stationary deuteron. Find the
fraction of the kinetic energy lost by the neutron (a) in a head-on collision; (b) in
scattering at right angles.

Ans. (a) In a head on collision

Where pd and pn are the momenta of deuteron and neutron after the collision. Squaring

or since pd = 0 in a head on collisions

Going back to energy conservation

So

This is the energy lost by neutron. So the fraction of energy lost is

(b) In this case neutron is scattered by 90°. Then we have from the diagram

Then by eneigy conservation

The energy lost by neutron in then

or fraction of energy lost is

Q.251. Find the greatest possible angle through which a deuteron is scattered as a
result of elastic collision with an initially stationary proton.

Ans. From conservation of momentum

From energy conservation

(M = mass of denteron, m = mass of proton)

So

Hence

For real roots

Hence

i.e.
For deuteron-proton scaltering

Q.252. Assuming the radius of a nucleus to be equal to pm, where A is

its mass number, evaluate the density of nuclei and the number of nucleons per
unit volume of the nucleus.

Ans. This problem has a misprint Actually the radius R of a nucleus is given by

where

Then the number of nucleous per unit volume

is

The corresponding mass density is (1.09 x 10 -38 x mass of a nucleon) per cc = 1.82 x
1011kg/cc

Q.253. Write missing symbols, denoted by x, in the following nuclear reactions: (a)
B10 (x, α) Be8
(b) O17 (d, n) x; (c) Na23 (p, x) Ne20; (d) x (p, n) Ar37.

Ans. (a) The particle x must carry two nucleons and a unit of positive charge.
The reaction is

(b) The particle x must contain a proton in addition to the constituents of O 17. Thus the
reaction is

(c) The particle x must carry nucleon number 4 and two units of +ve charge. Thus the
particle must be x = α and the reaction is
(d) The particle x must carry mass number 37 and have one unit less of positive charge.
Thus x = Cl 37 and the reaction is

Q.254. Demonstrate that the binding energy of a nucleus with mass number A and
charge Z can be found from Eq. (6.6b).

Ans. From the basic formula

We define
AH = mH - 1 amu
An = - 1 amu
A = M - A amu
Then clearly Eb - Z A# + (A - Z ) An - A

Q.255. Find the binding energy of a nucleus consisting of equal numbers of protons
and neutrons and having the radius one and a half times smaller than that of
A127 nucleus.

Ans. The mass number of the given nucleus must be

Thus the nucleus is Be8. Then The binding eneigy is

E b - 4 x 0-00867 + 4 + x 0-00783 - 0-00531 amu
= 0-06069 amu = 56-5 MeV
On using 1 amu = 931 MeV.

Q.256. Making use of the tables of atomic masses, find: (a) the mean binding
energy per one nucleon in O16 nucleus; (b) the binding energy of a neutron and an
alpha-particle in a B11 nucleus; (c) the energy required for separation of an
O16 nucleus into four identical particles.

Ans. (a) Total binding eneigy of Ihe O 16 nucleus is

Eb = 8 x .00867 + 8 x .00783 + 0.00509 amu
= 0.13709 amu = 127.6 MeV
So B.E. per nucleon is 7.98 Mev/nucleon
(b) B.E. of neutron in B 11 nucleus

(since on removing a neutron from B 11 we get B10)

= 0.01231 amu = 11.46 MeV

B.E. of ( an α-particle in B11)
= B.E. of B1 - B.E. of Li7 - B.E. of α
(since on removing an a from B 11 we get Li7 )

= - 0.00930 + 0.01601 + 0.00260

= 0.00931 amu = 8.67 MeV

(c) This eneigy is

[B.E. of O16 + 4 (B.E. of a particles)]

= 4 x 0-00260 + 0.00509
= 0.01549 amu - 14.42 MeV

Q.257. Find the difference in binding energies of a neutron and a proton in a

B11 nucleus. Explain why there is the difference.

Ans. B.E. o f a neutron in B11 - B.E. of a proton in B 11

= 0.00867 - 0.00783

+ 0.01294 - 0.01354 = 0.00024 amu = 0.223 MeV

The difference in binding energy is essentially due to the coulomb repulsion between
the proton and the residual nucleus Be 10 which together constitute B11.
Q.258. Find the energy required for separation of a Ne 20 nucleus into two alpha-
particles and a C12 nucleus if it is known that the binding energies per one nucleon
in Ne20, He4, and C12 nuclei are equal to 8.03, 7.07, and 7.68 MeV respectively.

Ans. Required energy is simply the difference in total binding energies

= B.E. of Ne20 - 2 (BE. of He4) - B.E. of C12

(ε is binding energy per unit nucleon.) Substitution gives 11.88MeV .

Q.259. Calculate in atomic mass units the mass of (a) a Li8 atom whose nucleus has
the binding energy 41.3 MeV; (b) a C10 nucleus whose binding energy per nucleon
is equal to 6.04 MeV.

Ans. We have for

41.3 MeV = 0.044361 amu = 3Δ H + 5Δn - Δ

Hence Δ = 3 x 0.00783 + 5 x 0.00867 - 0.09436 - 0.02248 amu

(b) For C10 10 x 6.04 = 60.4 MeV

- 0-06488 amu

Hence Δ = 6 x 0.00783 + 4 x 0-00867 - 0.06488 = 0.01678 amu

Hence the mass of C10 is 10.01678 amu

Q.260. The nuclei involved in the nuclear reaction A 1 + A2 → → A3 + A4 have the

binding energies E1, E2, E3, and E4. Find the energy of this reaction.

Ans. Suppose M1 , M2 , M3 , M4 are the rest masses of the nuclei A1 lf A2 , A3 and

A4participating in the reaction

Here Q is the energy released. Then by conservation of energy.

Now

Z1 + Z2 = Z3 + Z4 (conservation of change)
A1 + A2 = A3 + A4 (conservation of heavy particles)
Hence Q = (Es + E4) - (Ex + E2)

Q.261. Assuming that the splitting of a U 236 nucleus liberates the energy of 200
MeV, find: (a) the energy liberated in the fission of one kilogram of U236 isotope,
and the mass of coal with calorific value of 30 kJ/g which is equivalent to that for
one kg of U235; (b) the mass of U235 i sotope split during the explosion of the atomic
bomb with 30 kt trotyl equivalent if the calorific value of trotyl is 4.1 kJ/g.

Ans. (a) the energy liberated in the fission of 1 kg of U 235 is

6.023 x 1023 x 200MeV = 8.21 x 10 10kJ

The mass of coal with equivalent calorific value is

= 2.74 x 106 kg

(b) The required mass' is

Q.262. What amount of heat is liberated during the formation of one gram of
He4 from deuterium H2? What mass of coal with calorific value of 30 kJ/g is
thermally equivalent to the magnitude obtained?

Ans. The reaction is (in effect).

Then

= 0.02820-0.00260
= 0.02560 amu = 23.8 MeV
Hence the energy released in 1 gm of He 4 is

23.8 x 16.02 x 10 -13 Joule = 5.75 x 108 kJ

This eneigy can be derived from

=1.9 x 104 kg of Coal.

Q.263. Taking the values of atomic masses from the tables, calculate the energy
per nucleon which is liberated in the nuclear reaction Li 6 + H2 → 2He4. Compare
the obtained magnitude with the energy per nucleon liberated in the fission of
U235 nucleus.

Ans. The energy released in the reaction

is

= 0.01513 + 0.01410 - 2 x 0.00 260 amu

= 0.02403 amu = 22.37 MeV

2.796 MeV/nucleon.

This should be compared with the value = 0.85 MeV/nucleon

Q.264. Find the energy of the reaction Li7 + p → 2He4 if the binding energies per
nucleon in Li7 and He4 nuclei are known to be equal to 5.60 and 7.06 MeV
respectively.

Ans. The eneigy of reaction

is, 2 x B.E. of He4 - B.E. of Li7

= 8εα - 7εLi = 8 x 7.06 - 7 x 5.60 = 17.3 MeV

Q.265. Find the energy of the reaction N14 (α, p) O17 if the kinetic energy of the
incoming alpha-particle is Tα = 4.0 MeV and the proton outgoing at an angle θ =
60° to the motion direction of the alpha-particle has a kinetic energy Tp = 2.09
MeV.
Ans. The reaction is N14(a, p)O17
It is given that (in the Lab frame where N 14 is at rest) Tα = 4.0MeV. The momentum of
incident α particle is
The momentum of outgoing proton is

Where

and mo is the mass of O17

The momentum of O17 is

By energy conservation (conservation of energy including rest mass energy and kinetic
energy)

Hence by definition of the Q of reaction

Q.266. Making use of the tables of atomic masses, determine the energies of the
following reactions: (a) Li7 (p, n) Be7; (b) Be9 (n,γ) Be10; (c) Li7 (α, n) B10); (d)
O16 (d, α) N14.
Ans. (a) The reaction is and the energy of reaction is

=-1.64 MeV
(b) The reaction is

Mass of γ is taken zero. Then

= (0.01219 + 0.00867 - 0.01354)

= 6.81 MeV

(c ) The reaction is Li2 (α,n) B10. The energy is

= (0.01601 + 0.00260 - 0.00867 - .01294) amu x c2

= - 2.79 MeV

(d) The reaction is O 16 (d , α) N14 The energy of reaction is

= (- 0.00509 + 0.01410 - 0.00260 - 0.00307) amu x c2
= 3.11 MeV

Q.267. Making use of the tables of atomic masses, find the velocity with which the
products of the reaction B10 (n, α) Li7 come apart; the reaction proceeds via
interaction of very slow neutrons with stationary boron nuclei.

Ans. The reaction is B10 (n, ct) Li1. The energy of the reaction is

= (0.01294 + 0-00867 - 0.00260 - 0.01601) amu x c2

= 2-79 MeV

Since the incident neutron is very slow and B 10 is stationary, the final total momentum
must also be zero. So the reaction products must emerge in opposite directions. If their
speeds are, repectively, va and vLi

then 4va = 7vLi

and = 2.79 x 1.602 x 10-6

So 2.70 x 1018 cm2/s2

or va = 9.27x106 m/s

Then vLi = 5.3 x 106 m/s

Q.268. Protons striking a stationary lithium target activate a reaction Li 7 (p, n) Be7.
At what value of the proton's kinetic energy can the resulting neutron be
stationary?

Ans. Q of this reaction (Li 7(p, n)Be7) was calculated in problem 266 (a). If is - 1.64
MeV.
We have by conservation of momentum and energy P p = PBe (since initial Li and final
neutron are both at rest)
Then

Hence = 1.91MeV

Q.269. An alpha particle with kinetic energy T = 5.3 MeV initiates a nuclear
reaction Be9 (α, n) C12 with energy yield Q = + 5.7 MeV. Find the kinetic energy of
the neutron outgoing at right angles to the motion direction of the alpha-particle.

Ans. It is understood that Be9 is initially at rest. The moment of the outgoing neutron is

The momentum of C12 is

Then by energy conservation

Q.270. Protons with kinetic energy T =1.0 MeV striking a lithium target induce a
nuclear reaction p + Li7 → 2He4. Find the kinetic energy of each alpha-particle and
the angle of their divergence provided their motion directions are symmetrical
with respect to that of incoming protons.
Ans. The Q value of the reaction Li7 (p, α) He4 is

= (0.01601 + 0.00783 - 0.00520) amu x c2

= 0.01864 amu x c2 - 17.35 MeV
Since the direction of He 4 nuclei is symmetrical, their momenta must also be equal. Let
T be the K.E. of each He 4. Then

(pp is the momentum of proton). Also

Hence

Hence

Substitution gives θ = 170.53°

Also
 Nuclear Reactions (Part - 2)

Q.271. A particle of mass m strikes a stationary nucleus of mass M and activates

an endoergic reaction. Demonstrate that the threshold (minimal) kinetic energy
required to initiate this reaction is defined by Eq. (6.6d).

Ans. Energy required is minimum when the reaction products all move in the direction
of the incident particle with the same velocity (so that the combination is at rest in the
centre of mass frame). We then have

(Total mass is constant in the nonrelativistic limit).

or

Hence

Q.272. What kinetic energy must a proton possess to split a deuteron H 2 whose
binding energy is Eb = 2.2 MeV?

Ans. The result of the previous problem applies and we End that energy required to
split a deuteron is

Q.273. The irradiation of lithium and beryllium targets by a monoergic stream of

protons reveals that the reaction Li7(p, n)Be7 -- 1.65 MeV is initiated whereas the
reaction Be9 (p, n) B9 — 1.85 MeV does not take place. Find the possible values of
kinetic energy of the protons.
Ans. Since the reaction is initiated, the incident proton
energy must be
since the reaction is not initiated,

= 2.06 MeV Thus 1.89 MeV ≤ Tp ≤ 2.06 MeV

Q.274. To activate the reaction (n, a) with stationary B 11 nuclei, neutrons must
have the threshold kinetic energy T th = 4.0 MeV. Find the energy of this reaction.

Ans. We have

or -3.67 MeV

Q.275. Calculate the threshold kinetic energies of protons required to activate the
reactions (p, n) and (p, d) with Li7 nuclei.

Ans. The Q o f the reaction Li 7 (p, n ) Be7 was calculated in problem 266 (a). It is - 1.64
MeV Hence, the threshold K.E. of protons for initiating this reaction is

For the reaction Li7 (p, d) Li6

we find

= (0.01601 + 0.00783 - 0.01410 - 0.01513) amu x c2

= - 5 02 MeV

The threshold proton energy for initiating this reaction is

5.73 MeV

Q.276. Using the tabular values of atomic masses, find the threshold kinetic energy
of an alpha particle required to activate the nuclear reaction Li 7 (α, n) Be9. What is
the velocity of the B10 nucleus in this case?
Ans. The Q of Li7 (a, n) B10 was calculated in problem 266 (c). It is Q = 2.79 MeV Then
the threshold energy of a-particle is

4.38MeV

The velocity of B10 in this case is simply the volocity of centre of mass

This is because both B10 and n are at rest in the CM frame at theshold. Substituting the
values of various quantities
we get v = 5.27 x 106 m/s

Q.277. A neutron with kinetic energy T = 10 MeV activates a nuclear reaction

C12 (n, α) Be9 whose threshold is T th = 6.17 MeV. Find the kinetic energy of the
alpha-particles outgoing at right angles to the incoming neutrons' direction.

Ans. The momentum of incident neutron is that of α particle

is and of

By conservation of energy
(M is the mass of Be 9). Thus

Using

we get

M’ is the mass of C 12 nucleus.

or = 2.21MeV

Q.278. How much, in per cent, does the threshold energy of gamma quantum
exceed the binding energy of a deuteron (Eb = 2.2 MeV) in the reaction Y + H2 →
n + p?

Ans. The formula of problem 6.271 does not apply here because the photon is always

reletivistic. At threshold, the energy of the photon Ey implies a momentum The

velocity of centre of mass with respect to the rest frame of initial H 2 is

Since both n & p are at rest in CM frame at threshold, we write

by conservation of energy. Since the first term is a small correction, we have

Thus

or nearly 0.06%

Q.279. A proton with kinetic energy T = 1.5 MeV is captured by a deuteron H2.
Find the excitation energy of the formed nucleus.

Ans. The reaction is

Excitation energy of He 3 is just the energy available in centre of mass. The velocity of
the centre of mass is

In the CM frame, the kinetic energy available is (md ≈ 2 mp)

The total energy available is then

where

= c2 x (0.00783 + 0.01410 - 0.01603) amu

= 5.49 McV
Finally E = 6.49 MeV.

Q.280. The yield of the nuclear reaction C13 (d, n)N14 has maximum magnitudes at
the following values of kinetic energy T1 of bombarding deuterons: 0.60, 0.90, 1.55,
and 1.80 MeV. Making use of the table of atomic masses, find the corresponding
energy levels of the transitional nucleus through which this reaction proceeds.
Ans. The reaction is

Maxima of yields deteimine the eneigy levels of N 15 *. As in the previous problem the
excitation eneigy is

where EK = available kinetic eneigy. This is found is as in the previous problem. The
velocity of the centre of mass is

so

Q is the Q value for the ground state of N 15 : We have

= c2 x (0.01410 + 0.00335 - 0.00011) amu

= 16.14 MeV
The excitation energies then are
16.66 MeV, 16.92 MeV
17.49 MeV and 17.70 MeV.

6.281. A narrow beam of thermal neutrons is attenuated η = 360 times after passing
through a cadmium plate of thickness d = 0.50 mm. Determine the effective cross-
section of interaction of these neutrons with cadmium nuclei.
Ans. We have the relation

Here attenuation factor

n = no. of Cd nuclei per unit volume

σ = effective cross section
d = thickness of the plate

Now

(p = density, M = Molar weight of Cd, N A = Avogadro number.)

Thus

Q.282. Determine how many times the intensity of a narrow beam of thermal
neutrons will decrease after passing through the heavy water layer of thickness d =
5.0 cm. The effective cross-sections of interaction of deuterium and oxygen nuclei
with thermal neutrons are equal to σ1 = 7.0 b and σ2 --- 4.2 b respectively.

Ans. Here

where 1 refers to O 1 and 2 to D nuclei

Using n2 = 2n, n1 = n = concentration of O nuclei in heavy water we get

Now using the data for heavy water

3.313 x 1022 per cc

Thus substituting the values

Q.283. A narrow beam of thermal neutrons passes through a plate of iron whose
absorption and scattering effective cross-sections are equal to σa = 2.5b and σ8 =
11b respectively. Find the fraction of neutrons quitting the beam due to scattering
if the thickness of the plate is d = 0.50 cm.

Ans. In traversing a distance d the fraction which is either scattered or absorbed is

clearly
by the usual definition of the attenuation factor. Of this, the fraction scattered is (by
definition of scattering and absorption cross section)

In iron

Substitution gives w = 0.352

Q.284. The yield of a nuclear reaction producing radionuclides may be described

in two ways: either by the ratio w of the number of nuclear reactions to the
number of bombarding particles, or by the quantity k, the ratio of the activity of
the formed radionuclide to the number of bombarding particles, Find: (a) the half-
life of the formed radionuclide, assuming w and k to be known; (b) the yield w of
the reaction Li7(p, n)Be7 if after irradiation of a lithium target by a beam of
protons (over t = 2.0 hours and with beam current I = 10μA) the activity of
Be7 became equal to A = = 1.35.108 dis/s and its half-life to T = 53 days.

Ans. (a) Assuming of course, that each reaction produces a radio nuclide of the same
type, the decay constant α of the radionuclide is k/w . Hence

(b) number of bombarding particles is

(e = charge on proton). Then the number of Be7 produced is

If λ = decay constant of , then the activity is

Hence

Q.285. Thermal neutrons fall normally on the surface of a thin gold foil consisting
of stable Au197 nuclide. The neutron flux density is J = 1.0.1010 part./(s- cm2). The
mass of the foil is m = 10 mg. The neutron capture produces beta-active
Au188 nuclei with half-life T = 2.7 days. The effective capture cross-section is σ = 98
b. Find: (a) the irradiation time after which the number of Au 187 nuclei decreases
by = 1.0%; (b) the maximum number of Au198nuclei that can be formed during
protracted irradiation.

Ans. (a) Suppose - No. of Au197 nuclei in the foil. Then the number of Au 197 nuclei
transformed in time t is

For this to equal ηN 0, we must have

= 323 years

(b) Rate of formation of the Au 198 nuclei is N0 • J • a per sec

and rate of decay is λn, where n is the number of Au 198 at any in stant
Thus

The maximum number of Au 198 is clearly

because if n is smaller, and n increase further and if n is larger

and n will decrease. (Actually nmax is approached steadily as )

Substitution give susing

Q.286. A thin foil of certain stable isotope is irradiated by thermal neutrons falling
normally on its surface. Due to the capture of neutrons a radionuclide with decay
constant λ appears. Find the law describing accumulation of that radionuclide N
(t) per unit area of the foil's surface. The neutron flux density is J, the number of
nuclei per unit area of the foil's surface is n, and the effective crosssection of
formation of active nuclei is α.

Ans. Rate of formation of the radionuclide is n.J.σ per unit area per-sec. Rate of decay
is λN.
Thus
 per unit area per second

Then or

Hence

The number of radionuclide at t = 0 when the process starts is zero. So

constant

Then

Q.287. A gold foil of mass m = 0.20g was irradiated during t = 6.0 hours by a
thermal neutron flux falling normally on its surface. Following ζ = 12 hours after
the completion of irradiation the activity of the foil became equal to A =
1.9.107 dis/s. Find the neutron flux density if the effective cross-section of
formation of a radioactive nucleus is σ = 96b, and the half-life is equal to T = 2.7
days.

Ans. We apply the formula of the previous problem except that have N = no. of radio
nuclide and no. of host nuclei originally.

Here 6.115 x1020

Then after time t

T = half life of the radionuclide.

After the source of neutrons is cut off the activity after time T will be

Thus
Q.288. How many neutrons are there in the hundredth generation if the fission
process starts with No = 1000 neutrons and takes place in a medium with
multiplication constant k = 1.05?

Ans. No. of nuclei in the first generation = No .of nuclei initially = N 0

N0 in the second generation = N 0 x multiplication factor = N 0.k

N0 in the the 3rd generation

N0 in the nth generation

Substitution gives 1.25 x 10 5 neutrons

Q.289. Find the number of neutrons generated per unit time in a uranium reactor
whose thermal power is P = 100 MW if the average number of neutrons liberated
in each nuclear splitting is v = 2.5. Each splitting is assumed to release an energy E
= 200 MeV.

Ans. No- of fissions per unit time is clearly P/E. Hence no. of neutrons produced per
unit time to

Substitution gives 7.80 x 10 18 neutrons/sec

Q.290. In a thermal reactor the mean lifetime of one generation of thermal

neutrons is ζ = 0.10 s. Assuming the multiplication constant to be equal to k =
1.010, find: (a) how many times the number of neutrons in the reactor, and
consequently its power, will increase over t = 1.0 min;
(b) the period T of the reactor, i.e. the time period over which its power increases
e-fold.

Ans. (a) This number is kn - 1 where n = no. of generations in time t = t/T

Substitution gives 388.

(b) We write

or and