MODERN PHYSICS

Single Type
1. According to Bohr correspondence principle when quantum
number is very large –
(A) frequency of revolution of electron on an orbit is equal
to the frequency of photon emitted when electron jumps
from that orbit to next lower orbit.
(B) classical physics approaches quantum physics.
(C) wavelength of electron De-Broglie wavelength does not
depend on kinetic energy of electron.
(D) energy of electrons are not quantized.
Ans: (A)
Frequency of revolution of electron is f  n1 frequency of 3

photon emitted
  (n 11)  n1 
2 2
 

  n[n(n(n 1)]1) 

2 2

2 
 

 n[(2(nn 11)])

2 2

When n >> 1
 2n
n4

 2
n3
1

n3

1
2. The wavelength of first line of Balmer series is 6563 Å. The
wavelength of first line of Lyman series will be –
(A) 1215.4 Å (B) 2500 Å
(C) 7500 Å (D) 600 Å
Ans: (A)
1  1 1 
 R –
  n2 n2 
 1 2

 
1 1 1 1 1 5R
 R –  = R –  =
1  2 2 32  4 9 36
 
1 1  3
1
2
 R –  = R 
4
= 34 R
1 4 

  2 5 / 36
1

3/ 4
= 5
36
× 4
3
= 5
27

 2 = 5
27
1

2 = 5
27
 6563Å = 1215.4Å

3. The mean lives of a radioactive substance are 1620 year and

405 year for -emission and -emission respectively. Find the
time during which three-fourth of a sample will decay if it is
decaying both by -emission and -emission simultaneously.
(A) 249 years (B) 449 years
(C) 133 years (D) 99 years
Ans: (B)
The decay constant  is the reciprocal of the mean life .
Thus, = 1620
1
per year and  = 405
1
per year
 Total decay constant,  or = 1

1

1
1620 405 324

per year

2
 We know that N = N0 e– t
When 34 th part of the sample has disintegrated, N = N0/4
 N0
4
= N0e– t
or e t=4
Taking logarithm of both sides, we get
t = loge 4 or t = 1 loge 22 = 2 loge 2
= 2 × 324 × 0.693 = 449 year

4. In uranium (Z = 92) the K absorption edge is 0.107 Å and

the K line is 0.126 Å the, wavelength of the L absorption
edge is -
(A) 0.7 Å (B) 1 Å
(C) 2 Å (D) 3.2 Å
Ans: (A)
n = 
N
M
E(L)
L
E(K) E(K)
K

hc 12.4
E(K) = K
= 0.107
= 115.9 KeV
E(K) = E(K) – E(L) = hc

= 98.4 KeV
EL = E(K) – E(K ) = 115.4 – 98.4
EL = 17.5 KeV
L = EL
hc
= 1217.4.5KeVÅ
KeV
= 0.709Å

5. For the decay of Nucleus, the possible reason is

3
 (A) Neutron-proton ratio too high
(B) Neutron-proton ratio too low
(C) Size of nucleus very large
(D) All of the above
Ans: (D)
* When Neutron-proton ratio is too high, beta decay takes
place.
* When Neutron-proton ratio is too low, positron emission
takes place.
* When size of nucleus is very large, alpha-decay takes
place.

6. Find the de Broglie wavelength of Earth. Mass of Earth is 6

× 1024 kg. Mean orbital radius of Earth around Sun is 150 ×
106 km -
(A) 3.7 m (B) 3.7 × 10–63 m
(C) 3.7 × 1063 m (D) 3.7 × 10–63 cm
Ans: (B)
The Earth revolves around the Sun once a year and its orbit
has a mean radius 150 × 106 km. Hence its average orbital
speed is
2 150 10
= 3 × 104 m s–1
9
v = 365  24  3600

As the Earth has mass 6 × 1024 kg, its average momentum is

p = mv=1.8 × 1029 kg m s–1 and so its de Broglie wavelength
is
 = hp = 61.63.8 10
34

29
10
= 3.7 × 10–63 m,
If the Sun can be considered stationary.
4
7. When a metal surface is illuminated by light of wavelengths
400 nm and 250 nm, the maximum velocities of the
photoelectrons ejected are v and 2v respectively. The work
function of the metal is - (h = Planck's constant, c = velocity
of light in air)
(A) 2 hc × 106 J (B) 1.5 hc × 106 J
(C) hc × 106 J (D) 0.5 hc × 106 J
Ans: (D)
1
2
mv = K.E.max =
2
max
hc

–W
1
2
mv12 = hc
1
–W ….(1)
1
2
mv22 = hc
2
–W ….(2)
hc
2 W
  v1 
2
1
=  2vv 
n
eq (1)
  =
eq n (2)  v2  hc
W  
2
 hc 
hc
–W=4   W 
2  1 

3W = 4hc
1
– hc
2

hc  4 1 
W=   
3  1  2 
hc  4 1 
= 3  400  10 9  250  10 9 
 

= hc
3
× 109 × 150
100  250

= 0.5 hc × 106 J

8. The radiation emitted, when an electron jumps from n = 3 to

n = 2 orbit is a hydrogen atom, falls on a metal to produce
photoelectron. The electrons from the metal surface with
maximum kinetic energy are made to move perpendicular to
5
 a magnetic field of 1
320
T in a radius of 10–3m. Find the work
function of metal-
(A) 1.03 eV (B) 1.89 eV
(C) 0.86 eV (D) 2.03 eV
Ans: (A)
E3 – E2 = 13.6  21  31 
 2 2

13.6  5
= 36
= 1.89 eV
Photoelectrons with kEmax are moving on circular path.
r = mv
qB

mv = qBr
P = qBr = 1.6 × 10–19 × 1
3200
× 10–3
1
2
× 10–24 = 5 × 10–25 kg m/s
P2
Energy of photoelectron = KEmax = 2m
25 10 50
= 2  9.110 31 1.6 10 19
eV
= 0.86 eV
Now use Einstein equation
h =  + kEmax
1.89 = 0.56 +  = 1.03 ev

9. The ratio of minimum wavelength of Lyman and Balmer

series will be -
(A) 1.25 (B) 0.25
(C) 5 (D) 10
Ans: (B)

6
 For Lyman;
1 1 1 

= R 1    = R
min  

min = 1
R

For Balmer;
1  1 1 R

= R    =

min 2  2
 4

min = 4
R

 ( min ) Lyman
( min ) Balmer
= 0.25

10. The mean lives of a radioactive substance are 1620 years and
405 years for -emission and -emission respectively. Find
the time during which three-fourth of a sample will decay if it
is decaying both by -emission and -emission
simultaneously -
(A) 249 years (B) 449 years
(C) 133 years (D) 99 years
Ans: (B)
The decay constant  is the reciprocal of the mean life .
Thus,  = 1620
1
per year
and  = 1
405
per year
 Total decay constant, 
or  = 1620
1

1

1
405 324
per year
We know that N = N0 e–t
When 34 th part of the sample has disintegrated, N = N0/4

7
  N0
4
= N0e–t or et = 4
Taking logarithm of both sides, we get
t = loge 4 or t = 1 loge 22 = 2 loge 2
= 2 × 324 × 0.693 = 449 year

Multiple Correct Type

11. X ray from a tube with a target A of atomic number Z shows
strong K lines for target A and weak K lines for impurities.
The wavelength of K lines is z for target A and 1 and 2
for two impurities.
z  1
 4 and z  .
1 2 4

Screening constant of K lines to be unity. Select the correct

statement(s)
(A) The atomic number of first impurity is 2z – 1.
(B) The atomic number of first impurity is 2z + 1.
(C) The atomic number of second impurity is (z  1) .
2
z
(D) The atomic number of second impurity is 1 .
2
Ans: (A, C)
Mosley’s law:
1
 2
(z  1)
 z (z1  1) 2

1 (z  1) 2

z1 – 1 = (z – 1) 2
z1 = 2z – 1

8
 2
z 1  z2 1 
   .
2 4  z 1 

12. Suppose the potential energy between electron and proton at

Ke2
a distance r is give by  . Application of Bohr's theory of
3r 3
hydrogen atom in this case shows that
(A) energy in the nth orbit is proportional to n6
(B) energy is proportional to m–3 (m : mass of electron)
(C) energy in the nth orbit is proportional to n–2
(D) energy is proportional is proportional to m3 (m=mass of
electron)
Ans: (A, D)
ke 2
U
3r 3
d 3ke2 ke2
F  4  4
dr 3r r
mv 2 ke 2 ke 2
Now,  4  mv 2  3 ….(i)
r r r

Now, mvr  nh ….(ii)

2
nh
r
2mv
From (i) and (ii)
ke2
mv 2  3
 nh 
 
 2mr 
 v  n3

 KE  n 6

9
13. When a hydrogen atom is excited from ground state to first
excited state then -
(A) its kinetic energy increases by 10.2 eV.
(B) its kinetic energy decreases by 10.2 eV.
(C) its potential energy increases by 20.4 eV.
(D) its angular momentum increases by 1.05 × 10–34 J-s
Ans: (B, C, D)
Ground state n = 1
First excited state n = 2
2
KE = 41 e2r (Z = 1)
0

 KE = 14.4  10 –10
2r
eV
Now r = 0.53 n2 Aº (Z = 1)
–10
.4  10
(KE)1 = 214
 0.53  10
eV = 13.58 eV
–10

(KE)2 = 14.4 10 –10

2  0.53 10 –10  4
eV = 3.39 eV
KE decreases by = 10.2 eV
–10
Now PE = 4–1 er = – 14.4 r10 eV
2

(PE)1 = – 14.4  10 –10

0.53  10 –10
eV = –27.1 eV
– 14.4  10 –10
(PE)2 = 0.53  10 –10  4
= –6.79 eV
PE increases by = 20.4 eV
nh
Now Angular momentum ; L = mvr = 2
6.6  10 –34
L2 – L1 = h
2
= 6.28
= 1.05 × 10–34 J-sec.

10
14. In radioactivity decay according to law N = N0e–t which of
the following is/are true?
(A) Probability that a nucleus will decay is 1 – e–t.
(B) Probability that a nucleus will decay four half-lives is
15/16.
(C) Fraction nuclei that will remain after two half-lives is
zero.
(D) Fraction of nuclei that will remain after two half-lives is
¼.
Ans: (A, B, D)
N
N
fraction of nuclei that will not decay
0

1 – N/N0 fraction of nuclei that will decay

1 – N/N0  1 – e–t  Probability that a nucleus will decay
n
1
Also, N/N0 =  
2

where n is the number of half lives

4
N 1 1
=   =
N0 2 16

1– N
N0
=1– 1
16
= 15
16
;
Probability that a nucleus will decay
2
N 1 1
=   = ;
N0 2 4

Fraction of nuclei that will remain after two half-lives.

15. In an x-ray tube the voltage applied is 20 kV. The energy

required to remove an electron from L shell is 19.9 KeV. In
the x-rays emitted by the tube -
(A) minimum wavelength will be 62.1 pm
11
 (B) energy of the characteristic x-rays will be equal to or less
than 19.9 KeV
(C) L x-ray may be emitted (D) L x-ray will have energy
19.9 KeV
Ans: (A, B, C)
N
M
L L
–19.6KeV L
K

min = 12400
V0
Å
12400
V0
Å
12400
20000
= .62 Å

16. Light of wavelength 496 nm is incident on a metal surface

causing ejection of photoelectrons for which stopping
potential is 1.5 volt, then –
(A) The work function of the surface is 1 eV
(B) De Broglie wavelength of fastest photoelectron is 100
nm
(C) To move the fastest electron in a circle of radius 1m,
perpendicular magnetic field B required is 4.1 × 10–6 Tesla
(D) This fastest electron if strikes zinc target can produce X-
rays
Ans: (A, C)
Kmax = 1.5 eV
dB = h = 1 nm
2mK
1241
E of incident photon = 496
~_ 2.5 eV

12
 = 2.5 – 1.5 = 1 eV
2
qvB = mvr
mv 2mK max 2  9.1 10 –31  e  1.5
B= qr
= qr
= e 1

3  9.110 –31
B= 1.6 10 –19
= 4.13 × 10–6 Tesla
X-rays are of order of 0.1 nm 12.4 KeV ~
–

17. In an experiment of photoelectric effect, light from a point

source of monochromatic light of wavelength 3000 Å is
incident on a metal surface. The kinetic energies of
photoelectrons range from zero to 4.0 × 10–19 J, then –
(A) Stopping potential for this light is 2.5 V.
(B) Threshold wavelength for the material is 7590Å.
(C) Stopping potential will be doubled on reducing the
distance and the wavelength of light source to half.
(D) Saturation current will be doubled on reducing the
distance of source to half.
Ans: (A, B)
–19
Kmax = 4 × 10–19 J = 14.61010 = 2.5 eV –19

 Stopping potential = 2.5 eV

Kmax = hc  1  1 
 0 

2.5 = 1240
300
– 1240


 = 759 nm

13
18. Energy liberated in the de–excitation of hydrogen atom from
3rd level to 1st level falls on a photo–cathode. Later when the
same photo–cathode is exposed to a spectrum of some
unknown hydrogen like gas, excited to 2nd energy level, it is
found that the de–Broglie wavelength of the fastest
photoelectrons, now ejected has decreased by a factor of 3.
For this new gas, difference of energies of 2nd Lyman line
and 1st Balmer line is found to be 3 times the ionization
potential of the hydrogen atom. Select the correct
statement(s):
(A) The gas is lithium.
(B) The gas is helium.
(C) The work function of photo–cathode is 8.5 eV.
(D) The work function of photo–cathode is 5.5 eV.
Ans: (B, C)
 1  1 1
E0 z2  1    E0 z2     3E0
 9 4 9
z=2
1
3
2
 1
KE1  E0  1    
 9
 1
KE2  E0 z2 1    
 4
1
KE 
2
= 8.5 eV.

19. The electron in a hydrogen atom makes a transition n1n2,

where n1 and n2 are the principal quantum numbers of two
states. Assume the Bohr model to be valid. The time period

14
 of the electron in the initial state is eight times that in the
final state. The possible values of n1 and n2 are:
(A) n1 = 4, n2 = 2 (B) n1 = 8, n2 = 2
(C) n1 = 8, n2 = 1 (D) n1 = 6, n2 = 3
Ans: (A, D)
Time period, Tn = 2vr (in nth state)
n

i.e., Tn  vr n

But rn n2
and vn  n1
Therefore, Tnn3
Given T = 8T
n1 n2

Hence, n1 = 2n2
Therefore, options (A) and (D) are correct.

20. The potential energy of a particle of mass 4 kg is given as

U  4 x 2  8 x 4 , where x is the position of the particle along
positive x-axis from origin. The particle moves along x-axis
Then
(A) the potential energy of the particle is maximum at x = 0
1
(B) the potential energy of the particle is minimum at x
2
(C) the time period of small oscillations of the particle about a
point of minima is 2 s
(D) the time period of small oscillations of the particle about
a point of minima is  s
Ans: (A, B, D)
15
U  4 x 2  8 x 4

 8 x  32x 3  0  32x 3  8 x 
dU 1
x0 ; 
dx 2
d 2U
2
 8  96 x 2
dx
 d 2U 
 2   8  0
 dx  x 0
 at x = 0, U is maximum
 d 2U  96
 2   8   16  0
 dx  x 1 9
2

 at x
1
, U is minimum
2
dU
F   8 x  32 x 3
dx
Let the displacement of particle from position of minima be
x .

 x  1  x
2
1  
2
 1 1
3
 1 
 8 x    32 x    8  32 x    x  
 2  2    2  2

   1  1
  8  8  32x x 
1
 8  32 x 2   x  x 
  4  2  2 

 32x 2  16x
F  16x

4a  16x

a  4x

 2
2
T  s


16
 Numeric Type
21. Consider a hydrogen like atom whose energy in nth excited
state is given by
13.6 2
En   Z
n2
when this excited atom makes a transition from an excited
state to ground state. The most energetic photons have
energy Emax = 52.224 eV and the least energetic photons
have energy Emin = 1.224 eV. Find the atomic number of
atom.
Ans: (2)
Maxn energy is liberated for transition En  E1 and
minimum energy for En  En–1
Hence,
E1 E1
  52.224 eV
n 2 12
E1 E1
and   1.224 eV
n 2
(n  1) 2

Solving we get,
E1 = – 54.4 eV
and n = 5
hence,
13.6Z2
E1    54.4
12
Z = 2.

22. Radiation from hydrogen gas excited to first excited state is

used for illuminating certain photoelectric plate. When the
radiation from some unknown hydrogen like gas excited to

17
 the same level is used to expose the same plate, it is found
that the de–Broglie wavelength of the fastest photoelectron
has decreased 2.3 times. It is given that the energy
corresponding to the longest wavelength of the Lyman series
of the unknown gas is 3 times the ionization energy of
hydrogen gas (13.6 eV). Find the work function of
photoelectric plate in eV. (Take (2.3)2 = 5.25.)
Ans: (3)
We have,
10.2 = W + Kmax, 1 …(i)
and 10.2 Z2 = W + Kmax, 2
…(ii)
Also deBroglie  h  h
 2mK
1 K2
   2.3  K 2  5.25 K1 …(iii)
2 K1

Also 10.2 Z2 = energy corresponding to longest wavelength

of the Lyman series = 3 × 13.6
Z = 2.
 From equations (i), (ii) and (iii)
W = 3 eV.

23. A hydrogen atom collides inelastically with another

stationary hydrogen atom. Before collision both are at
ground state and after collision one of them gets excited. The
minimum kinetic energy of initial moving hydrogen atom is
what times of minimum excitation energy of ground state
hydrogen atom.

18
Ans: (2)
According to conservation of momentum
u
mu  2mV  V 
2
According to conservation of energy
2
1 1 1 u
mu 2  2  mv 2  E  mu 2  m    E
2 2 2 2
1
 mu 2  E  10.2eV
4
1
 EK  mu 2  20.4eV
2
So Ans. (2)

24. A radioactive sample contains two radio nucleoids A and B

having decay constant  hr–1 and 2 hr–1. Initially 25% of
total decay comes from A. How long (in hr) will it take
before 75% of total decay comes from A. [Take  = ln 3].
Ans: (2)
Initially let no. of molecules of A = NA and that of B = NB
N A
= 25
 N A  2 N B 100

 100 NA = 25 NA + 50 NB

NA = 2 NB
3

Now, NA' = NA e–t = 2 NBe–t

3

NB' = NB e–2t
2
 N B e – t
 2
3 = 75 = 3
100 4
N Be – t  2N Be –2 t
3

19
  1
= 3
 1 = 9e–t
1  3e – t 4

et = 9
2 ln(3)
So, t = ln(9) hr = hr = 2 hr
 ln(3)

25. A radioactive sample decays with an average-life of 20 ms.

A capacitor of capacitance 100 F is charged to some
potential and then the plates are connected through a
resistance R. What should be the value of R /40 so that the
ratio of the charge on the capacitor to the activity of the
radioactive sample remains constant in time?
Ans: (5)
The activity of the sample at time t is given by A = A0 e–t
where  is the decay constant and A0 is the activity at time t
= 0 when the capacitor plates are connected. The charge on
the capacitor at time t is given by
Q = Q0 e–t/CR
where Q0 is the charge at t = 0 and C = 100 F is the
Q Q0 e  t / CR
capacitance. Thus,  .
A A 0 e t

It is independent of t if  = 1
CR
20  103 s
or, R= 1
= t av
= = 200 .
C C 100  106 F

20
26. A 100 eV electron collides with a stationary helium ion
(He+) in its ground state and excites to a higher level. After
the collision, He+ ions emits two photons in succession with
wavelength 1085 Å and 304 Å. Also the energy of the
electron after the collision is 6 × ….. eV (approximately).
Given h = 6.63 × 10–34 Js.
Ans: (8)
The energy of the electron in the nth state of He+ ion of
atomic number Z is given by
En = – (13.6)eV Z
2

2
n

for He+ ion Z – 2. Therefore

En = – (13.6eVn )  (2) =  54n .4 eV
2

2 2

The energies E1 and E2 of the two emitted photons in eV are

E1 = 12431
1085
eV = 11.4 eV
12431
and E2 = 304
eV = 40.9 eV
Thus total energy E = E1 + E2 = 11.4 + 40.9 = 52.3 eV
Let n be the principle quantum number of excited state. Now
we have for the transition from n = n to n = 1
E = – (54.4) eV  11  n1 
 2 2


But E = 52.3 eV.

 1 
Therefore 52.3 eV = 54.4eV × 1  2 
 n 

or 1 – 1
n 2
= 52.3
54.4
= 0.96
which gives n2 = 25 or n – 5
The energy of the incident electron = 100eV
(given). The energy supplied to He+ ion = 52.3eV.

21
 Therefore, the energy of the electrons left after the collision
= 100 – 52.3 = 47.7eV

27. The De-Broglie wavelength of electron in the third Bohr

orbit of hydrogen in 10–9 m is (given radius of first Bohr orbit
is 5.3 × 10–11 m) –
Ans: (1)
r = r0 nz = 5.3 × 10–11 m × 9 = 47.7 × 10–11 m
2

3 ×  = 2 × 47.7 × 10–11  = 99.9 × 10–11 m

28. The wavelength of light incident on a metal surface is

reduced from 300 nm to 200 nm (both are less than threshold
wavelength). What is the change in the stopping potential for
photoelectrons emitted from the surface?
(Take h = 6.6 × 10– 34 J-sec)
Ans: (2)
eV1 = hc – 
1

eV2 = hc
2
–
 1   2 
e(V2 – V1) = hc  
 1 2 

V2 – V1= hc  1   2 
 
e  1 2 
6.6 10 –34  3 108 100
= 1.6 10 –19
× 6 10 –5

= 66
32
× 10–34 + 8 + 2 + 19 + 5
= 33
16
= 2.0625 volt  2 volt

22
29. The potential difference across Coolidge tube is 20 kv and
10 mA current flows through the voltage supply. Only 0.5%
of the energy carried by electrons striking the target is
converted into X-ray. Then the power carried by X-ray beam
in watts is –
Ans: (1)
P = VI
Total power drawn by tube = PT = VI = 200 W
As 0.5% of energy is carried by electrons power earned by
X-ray = 0.5% of PT = 1W.

30. Assuming that the mass of proton is nearly equal to mass of

neutron the minimum kinetic energy in 101 eV of a neutron
for inelastic head on collision with a ground state hydrogen
atom at rest is –
Ans: (2)
Let V = speed of neutron before collision
V1 = speed of neutron after collision
V2 = speed of hydrogen atom after collision
E = energy of excitation
From conservation of momentum
mV = mV1 + mV2 …(1)
From conservation of energy
1 + mV2 + E …(2)
1 2 1 2 1 2
2
mV = 2
mV 2

From (1) and (2)

2V1V2 = 2mE

23
 (V1 – V2)2 = (V1 + V2)2 – 4V1 V2 = V2 – 4E
m

As V1 – V2 must be real
 V2 – 4 mE  0
 12 mV2  2E
 1
2
2
mVmin = 2 × 10.2 = 20.4 eV

24