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IIT JEE Physics Practice Paper – Nuclei & Semiconductor (Set 15) Notes
Nuclei
Atomic Structure Basics
- Nucleus contains protons and neutrons
- Atomic number Z = number of protons
- Mass number A = protons + neutrons
Mass Defect
Definition
Difference between total mass of nucleons and actual nuclear mass
Formula
Δm=(sum of masses)−(actual mass)
Binding Energy
Concept
Energy required to break nucleus into individual nucleons
Formula
E=Δmc2
Key Insight
Higher binding energy → more stable nucleus
Binding Energy Curve
Observations
- Maximum at iron (Fe)
- Light nuclei → fusion
- Heavy nuclei → fission
Radioactive Decay Law
Formula
N=N0e−λt
Half-Life
Definition
Time required for quantity to reduce to half
Formula
T1/2=λln2
Activity of Radioactive Substance
Formula
A=λN
Unit
- Becquerel (Bq)
Types of Radioactive Decay
Alpha Decay
- Emits helium nucleus
- Mass decreases by 4
Beta Decay
- Emits electron
- Neutron → proton
Gamma Decay
- Emits electromagnetic radiation
- No change in mass or charge
Nuclear Force
Properties
- Very strong
- Short range
- Independent of charge
Nuclear Energy
Fission
- Heavy nucleus splits into smaller nuclei
Fusion
- Light nuclei combine to form heavier nucleus
Semiconductors
Definition
Materials with conductivity between conductors and insulators
Intrinsic Semiconductor
Concept
- Pure semiconductor
- Equal electrons and holes
Extrinsic Semiconductor
Concept
Doped semiconductor
Types
- n-type → electrons majority
- p-type → holes majority
PN Junction
Formation
Joining p-type and n-type materials
Depletion Region
Region without free charge carriers
Barrier Potential
Definition
Potential difference across PN junction preventing current flow
Biasing of Diode
Forward Bias
- Allows current flow
Reverse Bias
- Blocks current (very small leakage)
Zener Diode
Function
Used for voltage regulation
LED (Light Emitting Diode)
Working
Emits light when forward biased
Transistor
Uses
- Amplification
- Switching
Relation
IE=IB+IC
Logic Gates
AND Gate
Output = 1 only if both inputs = 1
OR Gate
Output = 1 if any input = 1
NOT Gate
Output is opposite of input
Band Theory
Semiconductors
- Small band gap
Temperature Effect
- Conductivity increases with temperature
Important Formulas
Mass-Energy Relation
E=mc2
Decay Law
N=N0e−λt
Half-Life
T1/2=λln2
Activity
A=λN
Common Mistakes
Concept Errors
- Confusing decay types
- Mixing n-type and p-type
Formula Errors
- Forgetting exponential decay
- Misusing half-life formula
Quick Revision Tips
Nuclei
- Binding energy → stability
- Decay is exponential
Semiconductor
- Diode works in forward bias
- Doping increases conductivity
Conclusion
Focus Areas
- Radioactive decay formulas
- Nuclear reactions
- PN junction behavior
- Logic gates
👉 This chapter is high scoring and easy to master with revision.