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).
Teaching method
Theoretical sessions in the classroom, with complementary multimedia presentation.
Practical experimental sessions in the laboratory using nuclear instrumentation.
Evaluation method
The evaluation has 3 components relative to: Questions solved during theoretical classes (respective grade NTP); tests (respective grade NT); laboratorial work (respective grade NP).
With some exceptions indicated previously by the teacher, for the grade of each question enter the evaluation of what the group accomplished to do during the respective class and the evaluation of what was done after the class till the next one. The second part is penalized by a 0,5 factor.
The grade relative to the tests is the average of 3 tests to be performed during the semester.
The practical grade is the pratical exam grade.
Condition to obtain attendance: NP>10
Conditions to obtain approval: NP>10 and NT>8 and (0,4 x NT+0,2 x NTP)/0,6>10
The final grade of continuous evaluation is given by the following expression, with partial grades approximated to the first decimal:
NAC = 0,4 x NP+0,4 x NT+0,2 x NTP
The tests may be replaced by the exam
The final grade is given by
NF = 0,4 x NP+0,4 x NE+0,2 x NTP
where NE is the exam grade.