(i) Plot proton number (Z) versus neutron number (N). What is the inference from the plot with regards to light and heavy nuclides ? (ii) Which nucleus would you expect to be more stable, ^{7}_{3}\text{Li} or ^{8}_{3}\text{Li} ? Justify your answer.

What do you understand by the reproduction factor of a fission reactor? What is the maximum value of the reproduction factor in a uranium fission reaction?

By applying the conservation laws, state about the following decay equations, whether they are allowed or not allowed :

(i) \Sigma^+ \rightarrow p + \pi^0

(ii) \Sigma^0 \rightarrow \Lambda^0 + \gamma

(iii) \Lambda^0 \rightarrow n + \pi^0

On the basis of liquid-drop model, write the semi-empirical mass formula for the total binding energy. Also explain their each term.

Calculate the decay rate of ^{14}\text{C} per gram of carbon in a living organism, assuming the ratio ^{14}\text{C} / ^{12}\text{C} = 1\cdot 35 \times 10^{-12}. The half-life of ^{14}\text{C} is 5730 years.

Explain the salient features of nuclear shell model. What are the magic numbers? Write the experimental facts in support of shell model of nuclei.

In the following nuclear reactions, what particles are possible for the unknown particle X?

(i) \pi^- + p \rightarrow K^0 + X

(ii) p + p \rightarrow \pi^+ + n + \Lambda^0 + X

What are the properties of the particles made up of the following quarks? Also write the names of particles :

(i) u\bar{d}

(ii) \bar{u}d

(iii) dds

(iv) uss

Draw the baryon octet according to Murray Gell-Mann.

What is the source of the Sun's energy ? Explain with proper nuclear reaction.

The nuclear radius of {}_8\text{O}^{16} is 3 fermi. What will be the nuclear radius of \text{U}^{235} ?

What do you mean by nuclear reactors ? With a neat diagram, describe the essential parts of a nuclear reactor and discuss about its applications.

An atomic power reactor can deliver 300\text{ MW}. If due to fission of each atom of {}_{92}\text{U}^{235}, the energy released is 200\text{ MeV}, calculate the mass of uranium fissioned per hour.

Write the quark contents and the quantum numbers (B, J, s, I_3) of the following hadrons : \bar{\Sigma}^-, \Xi^\circ, \Pi^+, \bar{K}^\circ

What is meant by quark confinement ? Why are the masses of hadrons larger than the sum of the masses of their constituent quarks ?

How much energy is required to separate {}_8^{16}\text{O} nucleus into its constituent nucleons ? What is the binding energy per nucleon for this nucleus ?

What are noncentral nuclear forces ? Discuss qualitatively how the presence of a small noncentral component in the nuclear force can account for the nonvanishing quadrupole moment of deuteron.

Describe the main features of the shell model of the nucleus. Explain how it can account for the magic numbers of nuclei.

Predict the spin and parity for the ground state of the following nuclei on the basis of the shell model : {}_8^{15}\text{O}, {}_8^{16}\text{O}, {}_8^{17}\text{O}, {}_8^{18}\text{O}

Write down the semiempirical mass formula for nuclei and sketch the variation of isobaric masses with atomic number for both odd and even values of A. How many stable isobars would be there in each case ?