Nuclear Physics
Code
1525
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia
Department
Departamento de Física
Credits
6.0
Teacher in charge
Maria Adelaide de Almeida Pedro de Jesus, Rui Manuel Coelho da Silva
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Português
Objectives
The students will learn about the structure of the nucleus, the properties and mutual interaction between nucleons and the way their organization determines the nuclei properties. Students will get acquainted with radioactivity as a natural process and its applications. Some aspects of applied nuclear physics will also be discussed as medical applications and material characterization.
In laboratory sessions, the students will become acquainted with practical aspects of radiation detection, involving different kind of detectors, the associated electronics and data acquisition.
Prerequisites
Elementary Calculus;
Elementary Quantum Mechanics;
Elementary Electromagnetism;
Elementary Atomic Physics.
Subject matter
Fundamental particles and interactions. The weak interaction. The interaction between nucleons.
Angular, magnetic dipolar and electric quadrupolar moments.
Nuclear properties: the nuclear radius, charge and mass distributions. Mass, binding energy, semi-empirical mass formula.
The shell model of the nucleus; predictions and failures. Reference to collective models.
Radioactivity. Types of radioactive decay. Concepts and laws of radioactive decay. Natural radioactivity. Radioactive chains. Radioactive dating.
Alpha decay: energetics and experimental data. The theoretical model. Conservation of angular momentum and parity: selection rules. Alpha spectrometry.
Beta decay: energetics and experimental data. The Fermi model. Selection rules. Beta spectrometry.
Gamma decay: energetics. Classic and quantum models of radiation. Selection rules and internal conversion. Gamma spectrometry.
Nuclear Fission. Properties: prompt and delayed neutrons; instability of fragments.
Radiation detection; detectors; nuclear spectrometries.
Bibliography
Introductory Nuclear Physics – Kenneth S. Krane, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1988), ISBN 0-471-85914-1
Nuclear Physics – Principles and Applications, John S. Lilley, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2005), ISBN 0-471-97936-8
Radiation Detection and Measurement, 3rd ed. – Glenn F. Knoll, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2000), ISBN 0-471-07338-5
Física Nuclear – Theo Mayer-Kuckuk, ed. Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisboa (1979), ISBN 972-31-0598-5
Introdução à Física Atómica e Nuclear, Vol. II – L. Salgueiro e J.G. Ferreira, ed. Univ. Lisboa (1975).
Evaluation method
The evaluation comprises two components, theoretical subjects evaluation and laboratory evaluation.
The theoretical evaluation grade (NT) is calculated as a simple average of the results from two examination questionaires on the lectured subjects, due on the scheduled dates.
The practical evaluation grade (NP) is calculated as a weighed average of the results from one examination questionaire on the laboratory practice subjects (NPP), at the end of term, and evaluation of student performance along the laboratory practical sessions (NPL) as indicated: NP = 0.8 NPP + 0.2 NPL.
Requirements for approval
1. Having performed all laboratory practical sessions, filling in the working scripts and answering the questions therein, with a grade NP >= 10;
2. Condition for admission to recovery examination: NP >= 10;
3. Condition for approval: NP >= 10 and NT >= 10;
4. Final grade: NF = 0.5 NP + 0.5 NT.