Course Info.#
The Nuclear Physics course will provide an introduction to the field of nuclear physics. Nuclei are the building blocks of everything we experience.
We will study their the theory behind their structure and properties and review some of the applications of nuclear physics. The course is organised in to 11 units with a rough aim to cover one unit each week
Unit 1 : Introduction
Unit 2 : Liquid Drop Model & SEMF
Unit 3 : The Shell Model
Unit 4 : Properties of Nuclei
Unit 5 : Excited States and Gamma Decay
Unit 6 : Alpha and Beta Decay
Unit 7 : Nuclear Reactions
Unit 8 : Compound Reactions
Unit 9 : Neutron Physics
Unit 10 : Nuclear Medicine
Unit 11 : Nuclear Power
Note that some of the more complex units later in the course (e.g. reactions) may be taught over multiple weeks.
Course Organisation#
The course consists of eleven units, each corresponding to about two weeks of learning. There will be two lectures per week with the relevant materal released each week following the timetable above. The final week (week 12) will be dedicated to a revision of the material.
Background knowledge#
Essential concepts will be reviewed, however some background knowledge is assumed from your previous physics studies. In particular:
Second year subatomic physics (PHY21004 or PHY251)
Third year particle physics (PHY304)
Atomic physics (PHY332)
Reading list#
We will be referring to two main textbooks:
Martin. Nuclear and particle physics. Available online
Krane. Nuclear Physics. Full book is available in the library. We will use its chapter 5, which is available online
The textbooks and additional reading material is available in the “Resource List” on the left of the blackboard page. Additional material, such as worked solutions and other examples will be released during the semester in the form of notes and videos.
Assessment#
The module is assessed by two components, homeworks and the end-of-semester examination. Two homeworks will be marked and returned, with comments. The total homework mark counts 15% towards the module.
The full timetable of the assessments is available in the Assessment tab on blackboard.
Feedback#
Comments, suggestions, or required clarifications on the course lectures or these notes are always welcome.
The general module feedback form can be found on the blackboard page.
Alternatively, just send us an email or pop by my office (E41, Hicks Building).
Timetable#
The 2024/25 version of this course is scheduled on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. An approximate timeline of the topics we will cover is as follows.
Week |
Date |
Time |
Location |
Unit |
Topic |
Lecturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
11/02/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 1 |
Introduction |
Patrick |
1 |
12/02/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 1 |
Introduction |
Patrick |
2 |
18/02/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 2 |
Liquid Drop Model & SEMF |
Patrick |
2 |
19/02/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 2 |
Liquid Drop Model & SEMF |
Patrick |
3 |
25/02/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 3 |
The Shell Model |
Patrick |
3 |
26/02/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 3 |
The Shell Model |
Patrick |
4 |
04/03/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 4 |
Properties of Nuclei |
Davide |
4 |
05/03/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 4 |
Properties of Nuclei |
Davide |
5 |
11/03/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 5 |
Excited States and Gamma Decay |
Davide |
5 |
12/03/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 5 |
Excited States and Gamma Decay |
Davide |
6 |
18/03/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 6 |
Alpha and Beta Decay |
Liz |
6 |
19/03/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 6 |
Alpha and Beta Decay |
Liz |
7 |
25/03/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 7 |
Nuclear Reactions |
Davide |
7 |
26/03/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 7 |
Nuclear Reactions |
Davide |
8 |
01/04/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 8 |
Compound Reactions |
Patrick |
8 |
02/04/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 8 |
Compound Reactions |
Patrick |
9 |
29/04/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 9 |
Neutron Physics |
Patrick |
9 |
30/04/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 9 |
Neutron Physics |
Patrick |
10 |
06/05/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 10 |
Nuclear Medicine |
Jon |
10 |
07/05/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 10 |
Nuclear Medicine |
Jon |
11 |
13/05/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 11 |
Nuclear Power |
Liz |
11 |
14/05/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Unit 11 |
Nuclear Power |
Liz |
12 |
20/05/25 |
15:00-16:00 |
LTTBC |
Catchup |
Patrick |
|
12 |
21/05/25 |
10:00-11:00 |
LTTBC |
Catchup |
Patrick |