University of Lagos, Nigeria , PHS 405, Nuclear Physics

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Title:

PHS 405, Nuclear Physics

Institution:

University of Lagos, Nigeria

Level:

Degree.

Description:

1. Static Properties of the Nucleus:
A brief discussion of Elementary particles. The Nuclear Structure Nuclear Size: Methods of determination, detailed description of the isobaric transitions method. Nuclear charge, spin and statistics. Nuclear mass: the semi-impirical mass formula. Mass defect, packing fraction, Binding Energy, binding fraction, separation energy. Qualitative description of Nuclear forces: nature; range, Saturation: Exchange forces i.e. the Majorana, the Bartlett and the Heisenberg exchange forces. A brief mention of tensor forces and velocity dependent forces in the nucleus. Nuclear angular momentum, nuclear magnetism. Nuclear stability. Models of the nucleus: The Shell - model and the liquid model drop.

2. Nuclear reactions:
The nature of nuclear reactions. Elastic and inelastic collisions in the L-frame and C-frame. Energetics of the reaction A (a, b) B. Models of nuclear reactions; detailed description of the C- nucleus model and the single-channel Breit-Wigner formula. Types of Nuclear reaction: Photo disintegration, radiative capture, stripping fission etc.

Radioactivity and Radioactive decay:
Decay law for successive decays. Dual decay e.c. of the Radioactive equilibrium, Measurement of short half-lives. The B-decay and K-capture: Review of the experimental characteristics of B-spectrum: the Neutrino. Fermi theory of B-decay. Ft-values values and selection rules. Determination of nuclear angular momentum and parity from Ft-values. The X-decay: Experimental characteristics of the X-Spectrum, the Geiger - Nuttall law. Theoretical treatment of X-decay probability rate. The tunnelling effects.

3. Interaction of Nuclear Radiation with Matter:
Energy loss by charged particles: Energy loss per unit path length, Range and Range-Energy relationship. Ionisation in gaseous media: the grain density. Interaction of X-rays with matter: Linear and mass attenuation coefficients. Photo electric effect, compton Scatterin, pair-production. Cross-sections and their variations.

4. Detection of Nuclear Radiations:
General principles of detection. Visual detectors: cloud chamber, bubble chamber and the Nuclear emulsion. Gas-filled detectors: Ionisation chamber, proportional chamber, Geiser Counter, electron-multiplier and scintillation detectors. Semi conductor devices and the Cerenkov detectors. Arrangement and function of auxilliary equipments. Such as preamplifiers, overhead amplifiers, channel analysers, purse shapers and descriminators, the scaler and the register. Obtaining a decade scaler from a superposition of binary scalers. Detectors for X-rays and neutrons.

5. Nuclear Energy Sources:
Discussion of nuclear fission in some details. Qualitative ideas about nuclear reactors.

Thermo nuclear reactions and laser-induced nuclear fusion. Nuclear fuels.

Assessment is by assignments and examination.

Prerequisite: PHS 304.

Programmes for which this course is required or in which it can be included:
Bachelor of Science Honours in Education/Physics.

Languages:

English

Media and methods employed: Printed text, tV broadcast, radio broadcasts, face-to-face tutorials.

Printed correspondence texts prepared by institution, face-to-face tuition, radio, television via cable.

Administrative information:

This course is equivalent to 2 hours of instruction per week. It is a 1 semester course (15 weeks) and awards 2 units.

Classification:

070430 PHYSICS

Date:

01 September 1992 bb
Source: COSIT Brochure

[About the Institution][Courses][Programmes]

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