Unit 3 : Additional Problems

For those looking for additional problems outside of past exam questions and the worked problems in the lectures please consider the following in the reading list.

• Explain how the quantum number \(j\) comes about.

• Write out and explain the notation for the energy levels of nuclei in the basic shell model.

• How many nucleons (protons and neutrons) can fill the I=2 and 3 levels.

• Explain parity and how it is assigned to nucleons and nuclei.

• Explain spin-orbit coupling and how this may deepen or weak the depth of the potential well.

• Explain the plot of nuclear stability shown and list the half-lives of all A=121 isotopes from Xe to Ag (look these up).

• Use the fit to the stability curve to find the most stable isotope with A=121.

• What are mirror nuclei? What is the mirror nucleus of N-16?

• Explain the evidence for the shell model that comes from observation of interactions between neutrons and nuclei?

• Give a simple reason why Cd might have a high cross-section for neutron absorption.

• What can you say about fission in relation to neutrons and the shell?

• What is meant by reduced electric quadrupole moment?

• The U decay series ends with Pb-206 and the Th decay series in Pb-208. Both these isotopes are of course stable, but which is more abundant and why?

• What effect does assuming the Saxon-Woods potential have ont he energy levels compared with assuming a harmonic oscillator?

• Explain the nucleon level filling in a nucleus as based on the Saxon-Woods derived nuclear potential prior to application of spin-orbit coupling.

• How is the 1f level filled when spin-orbit coupling is applied?