✓ Board-verified
Physics · 2025 · 3 marks
CBSE 2025 · Region 6 · Set 3 · Q23
(a) Differentiate between 'nuclear fission' and 'nuclear fusion'. Briefly discuss one example of each. (b) Draw a graph of potential energy between a…
(a)
Differentiate between 'nuclear fission' and 'nuclear fusion'. Briefly discuss one example of each.
(b)
Draw a graph of potential energy between a pair of nucleons as a function of their separation.
Marking-scheme solution
(a)
Nuclear fission is the process of splitting up of a heavy nucleus into lighter ones with a release of energy.
\[{}^{235}_{92}U + {}^{1}_{0}n \;\rightarrow\; {}^{236}_{92}U \rightarrow {}^{144}_{56}Ba + {}^{89}_{36}Kr + 3\,{}^{1}_{0}n\]
Nuclear fusion is the process of fusing of two lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus with the release of energy.
\[{}^{1}_{1}H + {}^{1}_{1}H \;\rightarrow\; {}^{2}_{1}H + e^{+} + \nu + 0.42\,\text{MeV}\]
(b)
More from Nuclei
- Calculate the energy released/absorbed in the following nuclear reaction: _6^12 C+_6^12 C →_10^20 Ne+_2^4 He Given: m(_6^12 C)=12 · 000000 u m(_10^20…2024 · asked 2×
- Two nuclei have their mass numbers in the ratio of 8: 1. The ratio of their nuclear densities is:2023
- Briefly explain how energy is produced in stars, giving two examples of the nuclear reactions involved.2025
- A narrow beam of protons, each having 4.1 MeV energy is approaching a sheet of lead (Z=82). Calculate: (i) the speed of a proton in the beam, and…2022
- Explain the terms mass defect and binding energy. How are they related?2026
- Deuterium undergoes the following fusion reaction: _1^2 H+_1^2 H →_2^3 He+_0^1 n+3.27 MeV How long an electric bulb of 200 W will glow by using the…2024
- (i) Prove that the nuclear density is same for all nuclei. (ii) Draw a plot of potential energy of a pair of nucleons as a function of their…2023
- Calculate the binding energy per nucleon (in MeV ) of a helium nucleus ( _2^4 He ). Given: m(_2^4 He)=4 · 002603 u m_n=1.008665 u; m_H=1.007825 u; 1…2025
CBSE Class 12 Physics past-paper question from the 2025 board exam, with the answer as CBSE’s own marking scheme gives it. Where our answers come from.