| Unit name | Introduction to Nuclear Physics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYSM0039 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1A (weeks 1 - 6) |
| Unit director | Professor. Heath |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one | |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This course will give students who have not completed an undergraduate Physics degree an introduction to the fundamentals of 20th century physics needed for graduate study in the area of nuclear science.
Students will be able to
1) Describe the constituents of subatomic particles, including nucleons and the interactions that they underfo
2) Use the relativistic energy momentum relationship, and the principles of conservation of momentum and energy, to perform caculations of the kinematics in nuclear collisions and understand the conditions under which non-relativisitc expressions may be applied.
3) Calculate mass defects and binding energies in nuclei from experimental data, make predictions of these quantities using the Semi-Empircal mass formula and described the principles behind the formula and the problems with it. Describe how Binding energy affects the stability of nuclei.
4) Understand the relationships between decay constants, lifetimes and activity and perform calculations using these quantities and describe transformations that take place in the main types of radioactive decay including quantum tunnelling.
5) Describe cross-sections and a differential cross-sections and link them to luminosity. Understand that subatomic collisions are governed by quantum mechanics and calculate collision probabilities.
6) Understand that the shell model of the nucleus can explain the magic numbers if spin-orbit coupling is included. State the meaning of the labels of nuclear levels and be able to calculate the number of nucleons in a level with given quantum numbers.
7) Outline the various stages of nucleosynthesis in the Universe and describe how the processes involved and the stability of different nuclei explain the observed distribution of the chemical elements.
The unit will be taught through a combination of
Formative assessment – online tests, workshop exercises.Summative assessment – five online timed tests (20% each)
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYSM0039).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
