CHAPTER-9

MODERN PHYSICS

Concepts covered: Radioactivity , Isotope, Isobar, Isotone

Revision Notes
¾¾Atomic number : The atomic number (Z) of an atom is the number of protons in its nucleus (which is the same as
the number of electrons in a neutral atom).
¾¾Mass number : The mass number (A) of an atom is the total number of nucleons (i.e., number of protons and
neutrons combined) in its nucleus.
¾¾Isotopes : The atoms belonging to the same element, having same atomic number Z, but different mass number
A, are called isotopes.
Examples include : 11H, 21H and 31H which are the three isotopes of hydrogen.
¾¾Isotones : The atoms having a different number of protons but same number of neutrons, i.e., different Z and A,
but same A – Z, are called isotones. They have a different number of electrons.
Examples of isotones include : 23 11
Na and 24
12
Mg.
¾¾Isobars : The atoms of different elements which have the same mass number A, but a different atomic number
(Z), are called isobars.
Examples of isobars include : 2311
Na and 23
12
Mg.
¾¾The substances which disintegrate (or decay) by the spontaneous emission of radiations, are called the radioactive
substances, e.g., uranium, radium, polonium, thorium, actinium, etc.
¾¾Radioactivity is the process of spontaneous decay of unstable nuclei emitting a or b particles and g rays from the
nucleus of atoms.
¾¾Effect on atomic number (Z) and mass number (A) due to alpha, beta and gamma emissions :
Quantity a emission b emission g emission
(i) Z decreases by 2 increases by 1 no change
(ii) A decreases by 4 no change no change

¾¾Properties of a-particles :
¾¾a-particle consists of a helium nucleus. It is denoted by 2He4 (Atomic number 2 and mass number 4). It is a
positively charged particle.
¾¾It has least penetration power and highest ionization power.
¾¾They can’t penetrate the skin but is harmful to the human body.
¾¾a-particles effect a photographic plate.
¾¾a-particles cause fluorescence on striking a fluorescent material.
¾¾These are affected by electric and magnetic fields.
¾¾Properties of b-particles :
¾¾b-particles are highly energetic electrons, which are released from inside of a nucleus. It is denoted by –1b0
(atomic number–1 and mass number 0) and +1b0 (atomic number 1 and mass number 0).
 ¾¾b-particles may be either negatively or positively charged, and it has negligible mass.
¾¾For the emission of negative b-particle, a neutron changes into a proton and an electron, inside the nucleus
and for +b-particle, a proton converts into neutron and a positron.
¾¾b-particle has 100 times penetration power as compared to a-particle.
¾¾It has less ionization power but is still harmful.
¾¾b-particles effect a photographic plate.
¾¾b-particles cause fluorescence on striking a fluorescent material.
¾¾These are affected by electric and magnetic fields.
¾¾Properties of g-Rays :
¾¾The waves from the high frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum which don’t have mass and moves
with speed of light are called g-rays.
¾¾It is neutral in nature and denoted by 0γo (Charge 0 and mass 0).
¾¾It is 1000 times and 100 times penetrating in nature as compared with a and b-particles respectively. It is very
harmful to the living cell.
¾¾These radiations affect a photographic plate.
¾¾These radiations cause fluorescence when they strike a fluorescent material.
¾¾These rays are not affected by electric and magnetic fields.
¾¾Uses of Radioisotopes :
¾¾Medical use - in treatment of leukemia , cancer
¾¾Scientific use - Carbon dating
¾¾Industrial use - as fuel for atomic energy reactors
¾¾Sources of harmful radiations are radioactive fallout from nuclear power plants, nuclear waste and other sources
(Cosmic radiations, X-rays).
¾¾Harmful effects of radiation include short term effects (diarrhoea, sore throat, loss of hair), long term effects
(leukemia, cancer) and genetic defects.
¾¾Safety measures to be taken while using nuclear energy :
¾¾While establishing a nuclear power plant : Nuclear plant must have a shield with lead and steel walls,
housing it in an airtight building with a back-up of a cooling system.
¾¾While handling Radioisotopes : People handling radioisotopes should put on lead-lined aprons and gloves
and handle the material with long lead tongs.
¾¾In safe disposal of nuclear waste : Nuclear waste must be kept in thick casks and must be buried in specially
constructed deep underground stores away from populated areas.
¾¾Background radiations are the radioactive radiations which exist even in the absence of actual radioactive source.
These are emitted both by internal and external sources.

Mnemonics

Concept: Isotope, Isotone and Isobar. Bar : Isobar

Mnemonics: Topewala Sales Pista. Tonebabu N : neither
Sales Nasta. Barbeque Nothing Sasta. S : same
Interpretation: Isotope has same number of protons and different
T : Isotope number of neutrons.
S : Same Isotone has same number of neutrons and
P : Proton different number of protons.
Tone : Isotone Isobar has neither same number of protons nor
S : Same same number of neutrons.
N : Neutron

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