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Nuclear Physics formula sheet

Every formula in the Nuclear Physics chapter for JEE Main, with one line on when it applies. Topic 1 is open to everyone; sign in free to read all 17 and download the PDF.

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How we count: 7× asked means 7 past JEE Main questions in the PrepWiser bank needed that formula, and "last" is the latest year one appeared. ★ marks formulas asked 8 or more times.

Composition and size of the nucleus

Composition
4× asked, last 2024
ZAX,N=A−Z1 u=1.66×10−27 kg≡931.5 MeV/c2\begin{aligned}&{}^A_ZX,\qquad N=A-Z\\&1\ \text{u}=1.66\times10^{-27}\ \text{kg}\equiv931.5\ \text{MeV}/c^2\end{aligned}
Isotopes: same ZZ; isobars: same AA; isotones: same NN. Average atomic mass =∑fiMi=\sum f_iM_i.
Nuclear radius
8× asked, last 2025
R=R0A1/3,R0≈1.2 fmR=R_0A^{1/3},\qquad R_0\approx1.2\ \text{fm}
Volume ∝A\propto A; R1/R2=(A1/A2)1/3R_1/R_2=(A_1/A_2)^{1/3}. Half the radius: A/8A/8.
Nuclear density
9× asked, last 2025
ρ=3mN4πR03≈2.3×1017 kg/m3\rho=\frac{3m_N}{4\pi R_0^3}\approx2.3\times10^{17}\ \text{kg/m}^3
Same for every nucleus (independent of AA); ~101410^{14} × water.

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14 more formulas in 4 topics

Mass defect and binding energy; Nuclear reactions and Q value; Fission and fusion; and Radioactivity (dropped 2024, still asked). Read the first part free. Sign in free with Google to read the rest and download the PDF.

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Mass defect and binding energy

  • Mass–energy5×
  • Mass defect and binding energy6×
  • Binding energy per nucleon7×
  • Nuclear force3×

Nuclear reactions and Q value

  • Balancing a reaction6×
  • Q value15×
  • Energy from fuel5×

Fission and fusion

  • Fission8×
  • Break-up of a nucleus at rest7×
  • Fusion (p–p cycle)6×

Radioactivity (dropped 2024, still asked)

  • Decay law and half-life35×
  • Activity
  • Alpha, beta and gamma decay8×
  • Parallel decay8×

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Version 1, October 2026. Free to share for study, as it is. Please don't sell it or remove the PrepWiser name.

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