Unit 7 : 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.

Unworked Example : p-p Chain#

Write out the the three reactions that make up the pp chain in the Sun in nuclear physics notation:

  1. \( p + p \to d + e^+ + \nu_e \)

  2. \( d + p \to ^{3}He + \gamma \)

  3. \( ^{3}He + ^{3}He \to ^{4}He + 2p \)

Unworked Example : Alpha Reactions#

If an \( (\alpha,n) \) reaction takes place on the following nuclei, what is the final nucleus in each case?

  1. \( ^{7}Li \)

  2. \( ^{12}C \)

  3. \( ^{63}Cu \)

Unworked Example : Particle Physics Notation#

Write out the following reactions in particle physics notation:

  1. \( ^{63}Cu(\alpha,2n)^{65}Ga \)

  2. \( ^{53}Cr(\alpha,p)^{56}Mn \)

  3. \( ^{34}S(\gamma,p)^{33}P \)

Unworked Example : Additional Q-Values#

Calculate the Q-values for:

  1. \( ^{63}Cu(p,n)^{63}Zn \)

  2. \( ^{59}Co(d,2n+d)^{57}Co \)

  3. \( ^{19}F(\alpha,n)^{22}Na \)

Calculate the Q-values for:

  1. \( ^{22}Na(n,p)^{22}Ne \)

  2. \( ^{23}Na(n,p)^{23}Ne \)

  3. \( ^{12}C(n,\gamma)^{13}C \)

  4. \( ^{13}C(n,2n)^{12}C \)

If you took samples of these isotopes (\( ^{22}Na, ^{23}Na, ^{12}C, ^{13}C \)) and irradiated them with thermal neutrons (\( \sim 0.025 \, \text{eV} \)), which reactions would take place?

Unworked Problem : Medical Isotope Reactions#

The medical isotopes \( ^{32}P \) and \( ^{89}Sr \) are produced in reactors by \( (n,p) \) processes. In each case:

  1. Identify the target nucleus.

  2. Estimate the minimum neutron energy required to initiate the reaction.