1. SylabUZ
2. Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
3. winter term 2018/2019
4. Physics - First-cycle studies leading to Bachelor's degree
5. Monographic lecture

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Monographic lecture - course description

Aim of the course

Student has a thorough knowledge of fundamental concepts of physics for micro world, in particular nuclear physics. He understands conceptionally the spontaneous and stimulated nuclear processes, in particular nuclear fission and fusion which lead to atomic weapons and nuclear power stations. He understands also both of the elementary interactions of nuclear radiation with matter and chemical, biological effects caused by them.

Prerequisites

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A thorough knowledge of mathematics and physics at the previous period of first degree study

Scope

course contents:

1. Structure of matter and atomic nuclei

   • Quantum nature of microworld, particle-wave duality

   • Fundamental constituents of matter: quarks and leptons, intermediate bosons as the quanta of the fields representing fundamental interactions, in particular photons as quanta of the electromagnetic field.

   • Model of atoms, level scheme of atomic systems

   • Quantum numbers and the conservation laws related to them

   • Atom in the framework of old quantum theory (Bohr’s Model) and Schroedinger’s Theory: Atomic shell model and Mendeleev’s Periodic Table

   • Hadrons in theory of quarks, in particular protons and neutrons as binding system of quarks

   • Nucleus as a binding system of nucleons (protons and nucleons interacting with gluons which are the quanta of strong-interaction field)

   • Fundamental features of nucleons and atomic nuclei, units in nuclear physics

   • Binding energy

   • Nuclear models: Drop Model, Shell Model and Model of Fermi’s Gas

2. Spontaneous processes

   • Exponential Decay Law

   • Decay constant and level width

   • Cross-sections

   • Tunneling effect

   • Alpha, Beta and Gamma decays

   • Spontaneous decays of heavy nuclei

3. Stimulated processes: nuclear reactions

   • Reactions with the creation of complex nuclei

   • Reactions with alpha particle

   • Reactions with neutrons

   • Cosmic rays

4. Fission reactions of heavy nuclei

   • Fission of uranium

   • Outline of fission theory

   • Energy of nuclear fission

   • Chain reaction of nuclear fission for uranium and plutonium, critical mass

5. Nuclear weapons

   • Manhattan Project: uranium and plutonium atomic bombs

   • Nuclear fusion and thermonuclear bombs

6. Controlled nuclear reactions. Nuclear energy

   • Different types of nuclear reactors

   • Scheme of nuclear power station

   • Projects in the realization of controlled nuclear fusion

7. Interactions of nuclear radiation with matter

   • Interactions of Alpha particles with matter

   • Interactions of Beta particles with matter

   • Interactions of photons (gamma and X) with matter

8. Elements of Dose Measurements

   • Absorbed dose and units

   • Quality factor Q (or radiation weighting factor R)

   • Equivalent dose and units

9. Chemical and biological effects of nuclear radiation

   • Chemical effects: molecular decay

   • Interaction with living organisms: biochemical and biological effect

   • Linear Hypothesis

   • Risk assessment

   • Radiophobia

Teaching methods

Conventional lecture with the application of multimedia devices.

Learning outcomes and methods of theirs verification

Outcome description	Outcome symbols	Methods of verification	The class form

Assignment conditions

Passing the written exam.

Recommended reading

[1] B. Dziunikowski, O fizyce i energii jądrowej, Wydawnictwo AGH, Kraków 2001.

[2] Z. Celiński, Energia jądrowa, PWN, Warszawa 1991.

[3] W. N. Cottingham, D. A. Greenwood, An Introduction to Nuclear Physics, Cambridge University Press 2001.

[4] H. A. Enge, Introduction to Nuclear Physics , Addison-Wesley Publishing Company 1972.

Further reading

[1] J. Kubowski, Broń jądrowa, Wydawnictwo Naukowo-Techniczne, Warszawa 2008.

[2] W. Greiner, J. A. Maruhn, Nuclear Models, Springer-Verlag 1996.

Notes

Modified by dr hab. Piotr Lubiński, prof. UZ (last modification: 01-08-2018 15:30)