Structure of the nucleus: JAMB Physics Past Questions and Answers

What the JAMB syllabus covers in Structure of the nucleus

Our summary: Radioactive decay and half-life, the alpha, beta and gamma rays, and fusion, fission and binding energy.

• Properties and applications of alpha, beta and gamma rays
• Half-life and decay constant
• Simple ideas of production of energy by fusion and fission
• Binding energy, mass defect and Einstein's energy equation ($\Delta E = \Delta M c^2$)

Objectives

• analyse elementary radioactivity;
• distinguish between stable and unstable nuclei;
• identify isotopes of an element;
• compare the properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays;
• relate half-life and decay constant of a radioactive element;
• determine the binding energy, mass defect and Einstein's energy equation;

Syllabus content © The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (UTME).