Modern Physics MCQs set 3 for NTS NAT-IM (Medical / Pre-Medical Track) Physics — 20 solved questions.
Q1. A photon with wavelength λ collides with an electron at rest. What formula governs the change in photon wavelength after scattering?
Answer: Δλ = h/(mc)(1 - cosθ)
Explanation: Compton effect formula uses (1 - cosθ). Option B incorrectly adds cosθ.
Q2. An electron is accelerated through 100 V. What formula calculates its de Broglie wavelength?
Answer: λ = h/(√(2meV))
Explanation: Relativistic acceleration uses √(2meV). Option B assumes classical velocity.
Q3. The half-life of a radioactive isotope is 10 days. What is its decay constant?
Answer: 0.0693 day⁻¹
Explanation: λ = ln(2)/T½ ≈ 0.0693. Option B ignores natural log.
Q4. A nucleus has binding energy 8 MeV per nucleon. What formula gives total binding energy?
Answer: E = (Δm)c²
Explanation: Mass-energy equivalence is universal. Option B misuses nucleon count.
Q5. In nuclear fission, 0.1% mass is converted to energy. What formula calculates energy released?
Answer: E = Δmc²
Explanation: Einstein's formula directly relates mass loss to energy. Option D ignores c².
Q6. A sample of 1000 atoms decays to 250 in 12 hours. What is its half-life?
Answer: 6 hours
Explanation: Decays by 1/4 in 12 hours → 2 half-lives. Option C ignores exponent.
Q7. A nucleus emits a photon with energy 5 MeV. What formula gives mass defect?
Answer: Δm = E/(c²)
Explanation: Mass defect is energy divided by c². Option B misses c denominator.
Q8. A particle's position is measured with uncertainty Δx. What formula bounds its momentum uncertainty?
Answer: Δp ≥ ħ/(2Δx)
Explanation: Heisenberg's principle uses ħ/2. Option B doubles the threshold.
Q9. What minimum photon energy is required for pair production?
Answer: 1.02 MeV
Explanation: Pair production needs 2mc² (2×0.51 MeV). Option B is single electron mass.
Q10. Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5730 years. What formula calculates age of a sample with 25% remaining?
Answer: t = 2 × 5730
Explanation: 25% remains after 2 half-lives. Option B uses incorrect logarithm.
Q11. An X-ray tube produces Kα radiation. What formula relates photon energy to atomic number?
Answer: E = 13.6(Z - 1)² eV
Explanation: Moseley's law uses (Z - 1)² for Kα. Option D subtracts 2 instead.
Q12. Photoelectrons are stopped by 3 V potential. What formula gives photon frequency?
Answer: f = (eV + Φ)/h
Explanation: Work function must be overcome first. Option B subtracts Φ instead.
Q13. A nucleus has 60 neutrons and 45 protons. What is its N/Z ratio?
Answer: 1.33
Explanation: N/Z = 60/45 = 1.33. Option B swaps numerator/denominator.
Q14. In β⁻ decay, which particle is emitted alongside an electron?
Answer: Antineutrino
Explanation: Antineutrino conserves lepton number. Option A is for β⁺ decay.
Q15. A photon of wavelength 0.1 nm collides with an electron at rest. If the scattering angle is 60°, what is the change in wavelength? Use λ' - λ = (h/m_e c)(1 - cosθ)
Answer: 1.22 pm
Explanation: Compton shift formula gives 1.22 pm. Option D doubles the correct value.
Q16. An electron moving at 2 × 10⁶ m/s has a de Broglie wavelength of... (h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s, m_e = 9.11 × 10⁻³¹ kg)
Answer: 3.64 nm
Explanation: λ = h/(mv) = 3.64 nm. Option B divides by 1000 incorrectly.
Q17. Relativistic mass of a particle moving at 0.8c is... (m₀ = rest mass)
Answer: 1.67m₀
Explanation: m = m₀/√(1 - v²/c²) = 1.67m₀. Option C uses 0.6 instead of 1.67.
Q18. Binding energy of a nucleus with mass defect Δm = 0.02 u is... (1 u = 931.5 MeV/c²)
Answer: 18.63 MeV
Explanation: E = Δm × 931.5 = 18.63 MeV. Option B multiplies by 1000 unnecessarily.
Q19. Uncertainty in position Δx = 1 nm for a particle. Minimum Δp is... (h = 6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
Answer: 5.28 × 10⁻²⁶ kg·m/s
Explanation: Δp ≥ h/(4πΔx) = 5.28 × 10⁻²⁶ kg·m/s. Option B divides by 1000 incorrectly.
Q20. Energy released in fusion of ²¹H + ³¹H → ⁴²He + n is... (Q = 17.6 MeV)
Answer: 17.6 MeV
Explanation: Q-value is directly given as 17.6 MeV. Option B doubles the correct value.