What is Nuclear physics: Definition and 292 Discussions

Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies atomic nuclei and their constituents and interactions, in addition to the study of other forms of nuclear matter.
Nuclear physics should not be confused with atomic physics, which studies the atom as a whole, including its electrons.
Discoveries in nuclear physics have led to applications in many fields. This includes nuclear power, nuclear weapons, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging, industrial and agricultural isotopes, ion implantation in materials engineering, and radiocarbon dating in geology and archaeology. Such applications are studied in the field of nuclear engineering.
Particle physics evolved out of nuclear physics and the two fields are typically taught in close association. Nuclear astrophysics, the application of nuclear physics to astrophysics, is crucial in explaining the inner workings of stars and the origin of the chemical elements.

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  1. TJGilb

    Programs Deciding on a PhD, considering Nuclear Physics

    Greetings to everybody. I'm currently in my 3rd year of pursuing a physics undergrad, and I'm considering where I might want to focus, what field I might want to enter. As the title suggests I'm seriously considering something with regards to nuclear physics. My primary interests lie in space...
  2. C

    A Fullerene confined metal particles and increasing pressure

    Hello, I would like to ask a question regarding possible change of orbital conformation of a fullerene particle filled with metal. Is there any basis to the assumption that for if you encase a metal, such as a round nanoparticle of lead cooled to minimal thermodynamical state, just so it fits...
  3. Faisal Moshiur

    Nuclear Nuclear Physics Book recommendations

    I'm a BS Hons (in Physics) student. We've a course named nuclear physics where we had taken help from book named Elements of Nuclear Physics. However, it seems insufficient to (not elaborately explained) read. So would you please help me with recommendations of books which has plethora of info...
  4. M

    Programs Starting a Nuclear Program, trying to get the news out.

    I'm a student at Purdue University Northwest and we recently started a Nuclear Physics program and I want to help get the news out but I don't know how. Currently I am the only student in the program, but we are trying to grow it. My professor for all things Nuclear is talking to the ANS...
  5. AndresPB

    I Acceleration of a Particle Because of a Wave

    Hello all, I would like to know why an electron is accelerated in a linear accelerator because of the microwaves emitted by a magnetron?. Can someone tell me what are the relevant physics equations and what is the role of skin-effect here? Thanks a lot.
  6. E

    Programs Advice on majoring in physics and more

    Hello my names Ethan, I am a senior in high school and i plan on attending West Virginia University the coming fall of 2017. I want to acquire a PhD in nuclear physics and also I've been reading about, I believe the name is a complementary degree, other degrees to go along with nuclear physics...
  7. A

    Nuclear Physics and energy levels

    Homework Statement A unknown nuclide emits four alpha particles with energies 8.54, 7.04, 6.38, and 5.10 MeV a) what are the nuclear energy levels of this nuclide b) What are the possible gamma ray energies that should be observed[/B]Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I was trying...
  8. lippyka

    Rutherford Scattering: Finding Cross Section & Solid Angle

    Hi I am revising for an exam and am a bit confused with Rutherford Scattering - Finding the cross section (is the cross section different to the differential cross section?) - Finding the solid angle. So here is a past question: A beam of 6MeV alpha particles is incident on a platinum foil. A...
  9. Chandler

    Studying What background is needed for nuclear physics

    Hello. I am currently just a 2nd year undergrad, with nuclear physics being my end goal for study. However, as of now, I cannot even open an entry-level nuclear energy textbook without being totally lost. So I am asking: what background is needed (in terms of courses, materials, etc.) in order...
  10. D

    A How to calculate the threshold energy of (n,n') reactions?

    Let us take the example of 89Y(n,n')89mY reaction. In the calculation of Q value we require mass of reactants and products. Both are same here. Then how to calculate the Q value of this reaction or how to calculate the threshold energy of this type of reactions?
  11. A

    Determine half life from gamma radiation

    I'm working on a lab and the task is to determine the half life of an element studying the beta radiation or the gamma radiation (emitted from the daughter). I have all the data and I'm done with the beta part, that was pretty straight forward. I have no clue how to relate the gamma radiation to...
  12. O

    I How long can you be exposed to gamma radiation for

    So my question is, how long can you be exposed to a gamma radiation for? Specifically, I've been working with a sealed cobalt-60 source for a final presentation. Now my professor noted to me that these sources we're using aren't radioactive enough to cause us any harm. However, I've been...
  13. O

    Admissions Chances that a rising senior can make it into nuclear physics PhD programs?

    Hi PhysicsForums, I was hoping to get a little guidance on my chances for PhD programs. I am a second-semester junior. I feel like I'm going at this totally blind and am starting to get nervous, I'd mostly like to know how strong my credentials are so far, what kind of GRE score I might need...
  14. G

    B What are some modern issues in the world of Nuclear physics?

    Hello! I was just wondering what this community is aware of in the world of modern nuclear physics. To be specific, for my assignment I am asked to research a topic or issue that is related to nuclear physics (and has relations to our daily lives). Some examples provided are: The use of...
  15. T

    Can I Become a Research Assistant in Nuclear Physics in Vietnam?

    Hi everyone, I'm from Vietnam ( a developing country as you know ). I have graduated since August 2015. Bachelor's in Physic ( Nuclear Physic). I joined many social activities and also was a students' leader in my department. I did 2 researchs during my university. Now I really want to make my...
  16. D

    Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy, Counting Statistics

    Homework Statement I am given a numerical example (to be solved with pen, paper and calculator only) of an RBS spectrum of a AuAgCu-alloy on a glass-substrate. The question is "Can you get the composition? How accurate is the result?Homework Equations All the Rutherford Backscattering...
  17. A

    Particle What are some recommended books for self-studying nuclear and particle physics?

    Hi! I'm a high school student and I want to get into nuclear and particle physics. So, I would like some suggestions on good quality books on the topic. If it helps to know, I have self-studied mechanics (D. Morin), electromagnetism (Purcell and Morin), thermodynamics (Sears and Zemanski), but...
  18. Z

    What is the binding energy of H-1?

    Hello Friends ! I have a question regarding binding energy... Trying to calculate the binding energy of H-1 (hydrogen nucleus). Well it is obvious that the binding energy is zero since there is no other nucleons that the proton is bound to. But after having collected the best possible data of...
  19. S

    Schools Universities for nuclear physics

    suggest some top universities in India and abroad for nuclear physics
  20. Rath123

    Calculating Initial Mass for Nuclear Reactor Operation

    Homework Statement What initial mass of 23592U is required to operate a 350 MW reactor for 3 yrs? Assume 46% efficiency. Homework Equations I used Mass* C* efficiency as a decimal= power (e^-6) * time (in seconds) and got 800 as the mass, however, this was incorrect The Attempt at a...
  21. B

    Radioactive Decay Chernobyl reactor accident

    Among the radioactive products emitted in the 1986 Chernobyl reactor accident were 131I ( t1/2 = 8.0 d) and 137Cs (t1/2 = 30 y). There are about five times as many 137Cs atoms as 131I atoms produced in fission. (a) Which isotope contributes the greater activity to the radiation cloud? Assume the...
  22. D

    Nuclear Fusion Idea: Using Magnetic Fields

    I was wondering if you could use a very strong magnetic field to produce nuclear fusion. The basic idea is a spherical cavity containing Deuterium (and possibly tritium) nuclei whose walls will be electromagnets whose fields slowly increase in strength and will repel the nuclei and thus the ball...
  23. J

    Partial Half-Life of 22Na: Ec & β+ Emission

    Homework Statement What are the partial half of 22Na for decay by a)Ec b) β+ emission Homework Equations λ=ln2/T1/2 The Attempt at a Solution this what I do T1/2 =2.602 Yr λ=ln2/2.602 λ=0.266 yr-1what is the difference between a)Ec b) β+ emission there is no Percentage of each decay type.!
  24. J

    What is the mass of the activity?

    Homework Statement what is the mass in g of the activity? (a)1μCi 241Am Homework Equations A = λN λ = ln2 / T1/2 The Attempt at a Solution A = λN 1μCi = λN N=1μCi/λ N = ( x /241 mol) × (6.022 × 1023 nuclei mol-1 ) 1μCi/λ=( x /241 mol) × (6.022 × 1023 nuclei mol-1 ) X=1μCi (241)/λ(6.022×...
  25. J

    What is the weight of a radioactive sample with a given half-life and activity?

    Homework Statement If a radioactive sample of 59Fe (t1/2= 44.496 d) has an activity of 1000 disintegrations per minute, what weight of 59Fe is present? Homework Equations
  26. J

    Which Element Produces Lower Energy Ka X-rays in an Experiment?

    In an experiment one observes the characteristic Ka X-rays of two elements at energies of 6.930 and 7.478 eV. The higher energy line is due to Ni. What element is responsible for the lower energy line?
  27. A

    What is this notation? I haven't seen it before

    X5(p,α)X6 This is an equation/part of a question in my nuclear physics unit, where X5 represents the reactant nucleus and X6 is the product nucleus. The alpha symbol is most likely alpha decay, but I have no idea what it means in conjunction with 'p' like that. The rest of the question is: In...
  28. Vinci128

    Hi all I'm italian, i'm graduating

    Hi everyone, my name is Vincenzo, i come from puglia in Italy and I'm studying physics at th university La Sapienza in rome. I'm writing a dissertation about the discovery of the violation of CP symmetry in the neutral K mesons system. I 'd love to discuss about these themes, and i hope i'll...
  29. D

    Can I persue PhD in nuclear physics after studying applied physics

    I am currently studying in msc applied physics ..now from here I want to make my career as j.r.f or r.a. in institute like d.r.d.o , prl ahmedabad. If I clear the exam like ugc net jrf then does it mean that I am equally eligible for certain post as compared to pure physics students in real life...
  30. BUI TUAN KHAI

    Optical Properties of scintillator detector

    Dear all, I would like to study more about the optical properties of scintillator detector in nuclear physics experiment. Is there any good reference for this? If the reference is discussed deeply in solid-state-physics, that is really nice. Actually, I am attending a "optical properties of...
  31. U

    What is the expected rate of reactions in the detector?

    Homework Statement A reactor fires out ##10^{21}## neutrinos per second. A detector containing ##10m^3## of liquid which contains 30 carbon atoms every 60 hydrogen atoms. The detector-reactor distance is ##1000##. The cross section for the reaction is ##\sigma = 10^{-46} m^2##, and the density...
  32. LadyAkatosh

    Deciding Between Physics or Nuclear Physics

    I just returned to college to finish my degree in Physics! My advisor and I have been talking about how by the Spring semester, I should have a general idea about which track to go in the Physics program. My options are the pure physics track or the nuclear physics track. We've gone over the...
  33. U

    Why doesn't Rubidium decay to Strontium?

    Both ##^{87}_{37}Rb## and ##^{87}_{38}Sr## are odd-even nuclei, so we can ignore the pairing term ##\delta##. I tried to calculate the most stable Z for a given A by finding ##\frac{\partial B}{\partial Z} = 0##. That gives the most Z-stable value of ##Z_0 = \frac{2\gamma A}{4\gamma + \epsilon...
  34. C

    Relativity Exploring Graduate-Level Physics: Stars, Nuclear Physics, and Relativity

    I am done with the first year calculus and physics courses and I think maybe I should be going on one subject to improve in that field. What actually is in my mind is I want to learn about a subject in graduate level then go on on this topic in my physics career. I am interested in the...
  35. D

    Nuclear physics or theoretical physics?

    From which branch of physics like nuclear physics or theoretical physics the PhD will be more beneficial for career?
  36. M

    Programs What are the ups and downs of these two degrees

    I am looking to do something in the nuclear field. I can get a mechanical engineering and physics double major then get a masters in nuclear physics or nuclear engineering, or should I just get the physics degree and masters in Nuclear physics/engineering? I'm currently at a branch college...
  37. R

    Trying to relate nuclear physics to solid state (fermi gas)

    In nuclear physics we have talked about the liquid drop model and the fermi gas model. My question is can a Fermi liquid and a Fermi gas be directly described using these models? Are they the same thing? i.e. If I wanted to decribe the difference between a fermi gas and a fermi liquid could I...
  38. U

    Form Factor - Simply take the real part?

    Homework Statement Show that the Form factor is ##\frac{3(sin x - x cos x)}{x^3}##. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] I know that the form factor is simply the Fourier transform of the normalized charge density: F(q) = \int \frac{\rho}{Z} e^{-i (\Delta \vec k) \cdot \vec r}...
  39. U

    Cobalt decays to Nickel - Why is this suppressed?

    Homework Statement (a) Show maximum energy transferred in compton scattering is as such. (b) Identify what the peaks are and why some decays are suppressed. (c) How do you distinguish between these 2 decays[/B] Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Part(a) Bookwork. For completeness...
  40. X

    Average Dose Rate of 1.11x108 Bq 131I in Thyroid

    Homework Statement A patient receives an injection of 1.11×108 Bq of 131I,30% of which goes to the thyroid, having a mass of 20 g.What is the average dose rate in the organ? Homework Equations D=1.60×10–10AE Gy s–1 The Attempt at a SolutionA=(1.11x108x(30/100))/20=1.665x106Bqg-1 E=0.192Mev...
  41. X

    How Do You Calculate Radiation Dose and Beam Current from Proton Exposure?

    Homework Statement A worker inadvertently puts his hand at right angles into a uniform, parallel beam of 50-MeV protons with a fluence rate of 4.6×1010 protons cm–2 s–1. His hand was momentarily exposed for an estimated 0.5 s. (a) Estimate the dose that the worker received to the skin of his...
  42. B

    High energy electron in very deep potential well

    Why should a high energy electron have to remain in a deep potential well?
  43. U

    Simple expression for Coloumb energy

    How did they arrive at this expression? I understand the ##Q^2## term in the nominator and the ##r = r_0 (A)^{\frac{1}{3}}## term in the denominator. Where did the ##\frac{\alpha}{2}## term come from? Putting in Z=40, A=100 gives ##3.3 \times 10^{14} J##, not ##65 MeV##. The energy term...
  44. D

    Is a PhD in Nuclear Physics a Promising Career Path?

    Can a PhD holder in nuclear physics get good opportunity in next 8-9 years? Are there chances for good career?
  45. U

    Shell Structure in Atomic Nucleus

    Homework Statement (a) What shows the existence of shell structure? What are the other numbers? (b) Deduce the spin and parities. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution The shell model is given by: So for Li, 3 protons pair up with 3 neutrons, leaving an unpaired neutron in...
  46. H

    Why Is Krypton the Product in This Nuclear Reaction?

    Can someone please explain to me why the answer to the following question is Krypton? A step by step solution would be ideal please! (b)The following reaction occurs in a nuclear reactor: 235U+01n →141Ba+X+301n+202.5MeV (i) Identify the element X. Many thanks! (Question is Q12 b part i...
  47. J

    What would happen if a stream of electrons hits a conductor?

    I don't know much about particle physics, but out of curiosity I was wondering what would happen if a stream of electrons hit a conductor, say copper plating, an would it be detectible?
  48. X

    What is the specific activity of the air inside the sealed warehouse?

    Can anyone please guide me how to find solution of this problem A 0.2-g sample of 85Kr gas, which decays into stable 85Rb, is accidentally broken and escapes inside a sealed warehouse measuring 40×30×20 m. What is the specific activity of the air inside?
  49. P

    Nuclear Physics - Uranium decay chain and Bateman equation

    Homework Statement Calculate the activity of ##^{222}Rn## in an ore sample containing 5g of natural uranium. Homework Equations ##^{238}U## decay chain (to Radon): ##^{238}U\rightarrow^{234}Th\rightarrow^{234}Pa\rightarrow^{234}U\rightarrow^{230}Th\rightarrow^{226}Ra\rightarrow^{222}Ra##...
  50. M

    What kinds of nuclear physics should I focus?

    Hey everyone. I'm looking to study nuclear physics and want to look into new forms of every. So fusion would be cool but probibly new forms of fission or even using waste to make energy. But I don't know what I want to get into. Any dirrational help would be cool. Thanks!
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