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Most Repeated MDCAT Physics: Nuclear Physics MCQs

The most repeated Nuclear Physics questions in MDCAT Physics, measured from 377 real past papers. Nuclear Physics contributed 529 questions across those papers, and 12 distinct questions recurred with the same verified answer across 2 or more different exam years — listed below (ranked by how many years each recurs in), with the answer, an explanation, and the exact years.

Measured from 377 real past papers · updated July 2026

  1. 1
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    A low energy neutron has RBE factor of 10. How much energy is absorbed by a man of mass 80 Kg. if the value of equivalent dose is 400 rem?

    • A16 J
    • B32 J
    • C48 J
    • D64 J

    Explanation

    Explanation:Equivalent dose (rem) = RBE factor × Absorbed dose (rad) Absorbed dose (rad) = Equivalent dose (rem) / RBE factor = 400 rem / 10 = 40 rad.1 rad = 0.01 J/kg.Total absorbed energy (J) = Absorbed dose (rad) × Mass (kg) × 0.01 J/kg/rad = 40 rad × 80 kg × 0.01 J/kg/rad = 32 J.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2022, 2023

  2. 2
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    Two radioactive elements X and Y have half-lives of 25 minutes and 75 minutes respectively. Sample of X and Y initially contain equal number of atoms. After 150 minutes, what is the value of the following fraction?No. of nuclei of X unchanged/No. of nuclei of Y unchanged

    • A1: 16
    • B16: 1
    • C1: 8
    • D8: 1

    Explanation

    Number of half-lives = 150 min / 25 min = 6 half-livesSimilarly, for element Y, with a half-life of 75 minutes, after 150 minutes, we can calculate the number of half-lives as follows:Number of half-lives = 150 min / 75 min = 2 half-livesFor element X: (1/2) ^ 6 = 1/64 For element Y: (1/2) ^ 2 = 1/4Therefore, the fraction of the number of nuclei of X remains unchanged to the number of nuclei of Y remains unchanged is:(1/64) / (1/4) = 1/64 * 4/1 = 1/16 This can be simplified to: 1:16So, the correct answer is option (a) 1:16.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2009, 2015

  3. 3
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    During the process of nuclear disintegration, when beta particle emission occurs, atomic no. of the atom changes by _ and the mass number changes by _.

    • AOne unit ; one unit
    • BOne unit ; no units
    • CNo units ; one unit
    • DNo units ; no units

    Explanation

    Option A: This option is incorrect. When a beta particle is emitted, the atomic number of the atom changes by one unit, but the mass number of the atom does not change. Option B: The correct answer is one unit; no units. When a beta particle is emitted, a neutron in the nucleus decays into a proton and an electron. The electron is emitted as a beta particle, and the proton remains in the nucleus. This changes the atomic number of the atom by one unit, since the number of protons is one more than the number of neutrons. The mass number of the atom does not change, since the mass of the electron is very small compared to the mass of the neutron or proton. Option C: This option is incorrect.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2016, 2023

  4. 4
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    A _ is a positively charged particle with properties similar to the α-particle. Its mass is one fourth and charge is one half of that of an α-particle. It is smaller in size and carries less energy at the same velocity.

    • ABeta particle
    • BGamma ray
    • CNeutron
    • DProton

    Explanation

    The correct answer is a proton. A proton is a positively charged particle with a mass that is one fourth that of an alpha particle and a charge that is one half of an alpha particle, making it the particle described in the question.Beta particles are incorrect as they are negatively charged particles akin to electrons. Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation and do not have mass or charge. Neutrons have no charge, so they do not fit the description of a positively charged particle.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2017, 2023

  5. 5
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    The lightest element which exhibits radioactivity is:

    • ATritium
    • BHydrogen
    • CHelium
    • DLithium

    Explanation

    This is the correct answer. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It has one proton and two neutrons in its nucleus, making it the lightest radioactive element. Tritium undergoes beta decay, emitting an electron and becoming helium-3.Therefore, tritium is the lightest element that exhibits radioactivity.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2017, 2023

  6. 6
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    The process of natural decay of some heavy nuclides is because of the phenomenon:

    • AEmission Spectra
    • BNuclear fusion
    • CNuclear fission
    • DRadioactivity

    Explanation

    Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation in the form of particles or high-energy photons resulting from a nuclear reaction. It is also known as radioactive decay, nuclear decay, nuclear disintegration, or radioactive disintegration.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2018, 2023

  7. 7
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    Radiations are dangerous to living organisms because they damage the cell by:

    • ABy producing ions in the cells
    • BBy increasing the temperature of cells
    • CBy decreasing the number of cells
    • DBy destroying the cells

    Explanation

    Radiations are damaging to living organisms because cause ionisation of living cells. STB Pg-341 Hence, option A is correct.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024

  8. 8
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    In beta positive decay, the nuclear number is:

    • AConserved
    • BNot conserved
    • CUnstable
    • DStable

    Explanation

    In beta positive decay, the number of electron is increased by one, but the number of nucleons i.e., neutrons and protons remain constant. Hence, option A is correct.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024

  9. 9
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    The phenomenon in which certain elements emit invisible radiations is called:

    • ARadioactivity
    • BFluorescence
    • CPhosphorescence
    • DLuminescence

    Explanation

    This is the correct answer. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from the nuclei of unstable atoms. This radiation can take various forms, including alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, which are all invisible to the human eye.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2023, 2024

  10. 10
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    Nuclear fusion in the sun is increasing in supply of:

    • AHydrogen
    • BHelium
    • CNucleons
    • DPositrons

    Explanation

    Nuclear fusion in the sun involves the transformation of hydrogen into helium. This process increases the supply of helium as hydrogen nuclei (protons) are fused to form helium nuclei. Although nucleons are involved in this process, they are not increased in number, just rearranged. Positrons are indeed produced in small amounts during fusion, but they do not represent an increasing supply as helium does.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2015, 2016

  11. 11
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    A reaction in which a heavy nucleus like that of uranium splits up into two nuclei of roughly equal size along with the emission of energy during the reaction is called a:

    • AFission reaction
    • BFusion reaction
    • CCounter reaction
    • DChemical reaction

    Explanation

    Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. The fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy even by the energetic standards of radioactive decay.So the correct option is A.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015

  12. 12
    Repeated in 2 yearsNuclear Physics

    If a process cannot be retracted in the backward direction by reversing the controlling factors. It is a/an:

    • AReversible process
    • BIrreversible process
    • CEfficient process
    • DEntropic process

    Explanation

    An irreversible process can be defined as a process in which the system and the surroundings do not return to their original condition once the process is initiated.So the correct option is B.

    Appeared in the past papers of: 2014, 2015

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