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Syllabus

Nuclear Physics — Syllabus

Tamil Nadu Board · Class 10 · Science

What Nuclear Physics covers in Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 Science: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Topics include Radioactivity - Discovery.

45 questions30 flashcards2 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 Science · 2026-27

Topics in Nuclear Physics

1

1. Radioactivity - Discovery and Definition

  • Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in 1896 by accidentally leaving uranium near a photographic plate
  • Marie Curie and Pierre Curie discovered radium and identified radioactivity in pitchblende
  • Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from unstable nuclei
2

2. Natural vs Artificial Radioactivity

  • Natural radioactivity: spontaneous process in heavy elements (atomic number > 82)
  • Artificial radioactivity: induced process discovered by Irene Curie and F. Joliot in 1934
  • Natural radioactivity emits alpha, beta, and gamma rays
3

3. Alpha (α), Beta (β), and Gamma (γ) Rays

  • Alpha rays: helium nuclei (He-4) consisting of 2 protons and 2 neutrons; charge = +2e
  • Beta rays: electrons from the nucleus; charge = -e; can travel at 0.9c
  • Gamma rays: electromagnetic radiation; photons; charge = 0; travel at speed of light
4

4. Radioactive Displacement Laws (Soddy and Fajan's Laws)

  • Alpha decay: mass number decreases by 4, atomic number decreases by 2
  • Beta decay: mass number remains same, atomic number increases by 1
  • Gamma decay: no change in mass number or atomic number; only energy level changes

Key Concepts

Radioactivity is the spontaneous emissionNatural radioactivity is the spontaneous emissionArtificial radioactivity is the processAlpha rays are positively charged particlesBeta rays are negatively charged electrons

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Nuclear Physics for Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 Science?
Key topics in Nuclear Physics include Radioactivity - Discovery and Definition, Natural vs Artificial Radioactivity, Alpha (α), Beta (β), and Gamma (γ) Rays, Radioactive Displacement Laws (Soddy and Fajan's Laws). Study these first, then practise questions on each for the Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 board exam.
How should I revise Nuclear Physics for the Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on Nuclear Physics. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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All Tamil Nadu Board Class 10 Science Syllabus

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