Nuclear Reactions and Radiations

On completion, the student should be able to: 1. have an in-depth knowledge of the composition of the atomic nucleus; 2. identify the interplay of the forces that operate within the atomic nucleus; 3. explain the energetics and nucleon interactions within the nucleus; 4. relate the meaning of stable and unstable nucleus and the resultant decay schemes leading to emission of particles and/or radiation; alpha, betas, gammas and neutrons; 5. define the meaning of fission, fission products and energy release; and 6. analyse model and estimate the transition probabilities of nuclear disintegration and their technological/industrial applications.

Energetics and kinetics of nuclear reactions and radioactive decay, fission, fusion, and reactions of low-energy neutrons; energy levels, cross sections, decay processes, range/energy relationships for alphas, betas, gammas, neutrons, and properties of the fission products and the actinides. Ionization, scattering, and radioactive energy exchange processes; nuclear models and transition probabilities. Effect of radiation on typical materials used in the nuclear industry; both theory and application will be presented.