Physics · Modern Physics

Atoms and Nuclei formulas for JEE

Every Atoms and Nuclei formula you need for JEE, grouped by concept.

27 formulas2 concepts
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QuestionState the formula — Coulomb Force on Alpha Particle
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Coulomb Force on Alpha ParticleF=14πϵ0(2e)(Ze)r2F = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(2e)(Ze)}{r^2}Electrostatic force between an incoming alpha particle and a target nucleus.applies whenAssuming the heavy target nucleus remains stationary.atomic-modelrutherfordforce
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All 27 Atoms and Nuclei formulas
01

Atomic Models and Spectra

15 formulas

Coulomb Force on Alpha Particle

F=14πϵ0(2e)(Ze)r2F = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{(2e)(Ze)}{r^2}

Electrostatic force between an incoming alpha particle and a target nucleus.

applies whenAssuming the heavy target nucleus remains stationary.
atomic-modelrutherfordforce

Energy of Electron in Bohr Orbit

En=me48ϵ02h2n2=13.6 eVn2E_n = -\frac{me^4}{8\epsilon_0^2 h^2 n^2} = -\frac{13.6 \text{ eV}}{n^2}

Total energy of the electron in the nth stationary state.

applies whenHydrogen atom. For hydrogen-like ions, total energy scales as Z^2/n^2.
bohrenergy

Bohr Quantization of Angular Momentum

L=mvr=nh2πL = mvr = \frac{nh}{2\pi}

The angular momentum of an electron in a stable orbit is an integral multiple of h/2π.

applies whenCircular allowed orbits in the Bohr model.
bohrangular-momentumquantization

Bohr Orbit Radius

rn=n2h2ϵ0πme2=a0n2r_n = \frac{n^2 h^2 \epsilon_0}{\pi m e^2} = a_0 n^2

Radius of the nth allowed stationary orbit in a hydrogen atom.

applies whenHydrogen atom. For hydrogen-like ions (Z > 1), the radius scales as 1/Z.
bohrradius

Distance of Closest Approach

d=14πϵ02Ze2Kd = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{2Ze^2}{K}

The minimum distance an alpha particle reaches from the nucleus before reversing direction.

applies whenHead-on collision (impact parameter b=0).
rutherfordclosest-approachscattering

De Broglie Standing Wave Condition

2πrn=nλ=n(hmv)2\pi r_n = n\lambda = n\left(\frac{h}{mv}\right)

The circumference of an allowed orbit equals an integral multiple of the electron's de Broglie wavelength.

applies whenResonant standing waves on a circular orbit.
de-brogliewave-particleorbit

Impact Parameter

b=14πϵ0Ze2cot(θ/2)Kb = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0} \frac{Z e^2 \cot(\theta/2)}{K}

Perpendicular distance of the initial velocity vector of the alpha particle from the central axis of the nucleus.

applies whenPure Coulomb scattering without penetration of the nucleus.
rutherfordimpact-parameterjee-advanced

Kinetic and Potential Energy Relations

K=E,U=2EK = -E, \quad U = 2E

Relationship between kinetic energy (K), potential energy (U), and total energy (E) for a bound electron.

applies whenInverse-square central force (Coulomb field).
bohrenergy-relations

Moseley's Law for Characteristic X-Rays

ν=a(Zb)\sqrt{\nu} = a(Z - b)

Empirical law relating the frequency of characteristic X-rays to the atomic number.

applies whenApplies to characteristic X-ray emission spectra.
x-raymoseleyjee-advanced

Energy Levels with Reduced Mass

En=μe48ϵ02h2n2E_n = -\frac{\mu e^4}{8\epsilon_0^2 h^2 n^2}

Modified Bohr energy levels taking into account the finite mass of the nucleus.

applies whenWhen the mass of the nucleus is comparable to the electron mass. μ=mMm+M\mu = \frac{mM}{m+M}.
bohrreduced-massjee-advanced

Rydberg Formula

1λ=RHZ2(1nf21ni2)\frac{1}{\lambda} = R_H Z^2 \left( \frac{1}{n_f^2} - \frac{1}{n_i^2} \right)

Calculates the wavelength of emitted light for transitions between orbital levels.

applies whenHydrogenic atoms transitioning from n_i to n_f.
spectrumrydbergjee-advanced

Maximum Number of Emission Lines

N=n(n1)2N = \frac{n(n-1)}{2}

Maximum possible number of emission lines when a gas of atoms is excited to the nth state.

applies whenA large sample of atoms.
spectrumlinesjee-advanced

Energy of Emitted Photon

hν=EiEfh\nu = E_i - E_f

Energy of a photon emitted when an electron transitions to a lower energy state.

applies whenTransition from a higher initial state (E_i) to a lower final state (E_f).
bohrspectrumphoton

Fine Structure Velocity Relation

vn=c137Znv_n = \frac{c}{137} \frac{Z}{n}

Speed of the electron expressed as a fraction of the speed of light.

applies whenHydrogenic atoms.
bohrvelocityjee-advanced

Electron Velocity in Bohr Orbit

vn=e22ϵ0hnv_n = \frac{e^2}{2\epsilon_0 h n}

Speed of the revolving electron in the nth Bohr orbit.

applies whenHydrogen atom. For hydrogen-like ions, velocity scales as Z/n.
bohrvelocity
02

Nuclear Structure and Size

12 formulas

Radioactive Activity

R=dNdt=λN=R0eλtR = \left| \frac{dN}{dt} \right| = \lambda N = R_0 e^{-\lambda t}

The instantaneous rate of disintegration of a radioactive sample.

radioactivityactivityjee-advanced

Kinetic Energy of Alpha Particle

Kα=A4AQK_\alpha = \frac{A-4}{A} Q

Kinetic energy of the emitted alpha particle in radioactive decay, derived from momentum conservation.

applies whenParent nucleus initially at rest.
alpha-decaykinematicsjee-advanced

Binding Energy per Nucleon

Ebn=EbAE_{bn} = \frac{E_b}{A}

The average energy per nucleon needed to separate a nucleus. This determines true nuclear stability.

binding-energystability

Total Binding Energy

Eb=ΔMc2E_b = \Delta M c^2

Energy required to completely separate a nucleus into its constituent free nucleons.

binding-energy

Radioactive Decay Law

N(t)=N0eλtN(t) = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}

Formula representing the exponential decay of a radioactive sample over time.

applies whenSpontaneous decay process.
radioactivitydecayjee-advanced

Nuclear Density

ρ=3mavg4πR03\rho = \frac{3m_{avg}}{4\pi R_0^3}

Density of nuclear matter, roughly constant for all nuclei.

applies whenAssuming a uniform spherical drop approximation; independent of mass number A.
nucleusdensity

Half-Life

T1/2=ln2λ0.693λT_{1/2} = \frac{\ln 2}{\lambda} \approx \frac{0.693}{\lambda}

Time taken for exactly half the active nuclei in a given sample to decay.

radioactivityhalf-lifejee-advanced

Mass Defect

ΔM=[Zmp+(AZ)mn]Mnucleus\Delta M = [Z m_p + (A-Z)m_n] - M_{nucleus}

The difference between the sum of the masses of individual nucleons and the actual mass of the nucleus.

binding-energymass-defect

Mass-Energy Equivalence

E=mc2E = mc^2

Einstein's relation showing that mass is another form of energy.

relativitymass-energy

Mean Life

τ=1λ=T1/2ln2\tau = \frac{1}{\lambda} = \frac{T_{1/2}}{\ln 2}

The average lifespan of a radioactive nucleus, at which the population reduces to 1/e of the initial value.

radioactivitymean-lifejee-advanced

Q-Value (Disintegration Energy)

Q=(mreactantsmproducts)c2Q = (\sum m_{reactants} - \sum m_{products}) c^2

The net energy released or absorbed in a nuclear reaction due to mass difference.

applies whenIf Q>0Q > 0, the reaction is exothermic. If Q<0Q < 0, it is endothermic.
nuclear-reactionq-value

Nuclear Radius

R=R0A1/3R = R_0 A^{1/3}

Empirical formula for the radius of a nucleus based on its mass number.

applies whenR01.2 fmR_0 \approx 1.2 \text{ fm}.
nucleusradius
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