Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QPages 440-441: Q4: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 The Nucleus Pages 440-441: Q4 Solution: The mass number of a nucleus is

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often equate the mass number $A$ with $Z+N$ and mistakenly think $N\ge1$ for every nucleus, concluding $A>Z$ always. Remember that $N$ can be zero (e.g., $^1\text{H}$), so $A$ may equal $Z$; only when neutrons are present does $A>Z$.

The mass number of a nucleus is

Multiple Choice Options

  • A always less than its atomic number
  • B always more than its atomic number
  • C equal to its atomic number
  • D sometimes more than and sometimes equal to its atomic number.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (d) sometimes more than and sometimes equal to its atomic number. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** For light nuclei, mass number � atomic number. For heavy nuclei, mass number > atomic number.

All Questions in this Chapter

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