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Syllabus
Atomic and Nuclear physics — Syllabus
Tamil Nadu Board · Class 12 · Physics
What Atomic and Nuclear physics covers in Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.
44 questions25 flashcards5 concepts
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4 Topics · Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics · 2026-27
Topics in Atomic and Nuclear physics
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1. Electric Discharge Through Gases and Cathode Rays
- Gases at normal atmospheric pressure are poor conductors of electricity due to lack of free electrons
- Gas discharge tubes operate at pressures around 0.01 mm of Hg where cathode rays are produced
- Cathode rays are streams of electrons moving with velocities up to 10^7 m/s
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2. Atomic Models: Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr
- Thomson's watermelon model: atoms as uniform positive sphere with embedded electrons - failed to explain atomic stability
- Rutherford's alpha scattering experiment revealed nucleus exists with most mass concentrated at center
- Rutherford model: nucleus contains protons, electrons orbit at large distances - failed because orbiting electrons should radiate and collapse
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3. Atomic Spectrum and Hydrogen Spectrum
- Atomic spectrum shows discrete lines unique to each element - acts like fingerprint for identification
- Emission spectrum: discrete wavelengths emitted when excited electrons return to lower states
- Absorption spectrum: dark lines where atom absorbs specific wavelengths to excite electrons
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4. Nuclear Structure and Properties
- Nucleus contains protons (positive, mass ≈ 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ kg) and neutrons (neutral, mass ≈ 1.67 × 10⁻²⁷ kg)
- Atomic number Z = number of protons; defines element identity
- Neutron number N = number of neutrons; varies within same element (isotopes)
Key Concepts
When high voltage (approximately 50 kV)JRobert Millikan suspended charged oil dropletsThomson proposed that atoms consistRutherford's alpha particle scattering experiment revealed
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Start This ChapterFrequently Asked Questions
What are the important topics in Atomic and Nuclear physics for Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Physics?
Key topics in Atomic and Nuclear physics include Electric Discharge Through Gases and Cathode Rays, Atomic Models: Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr, Atomic Spectrum and Hydrogen Spectrum, Nuclear Structure and Properties. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise Atomic and Nuclear physics for the Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 44 practice questions on Atomic and 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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