Course Name: Introduction to Nuclear Physics (I)

原子核物理導論（一）

Course code : 3297

Instructor: 李秉政老師

“1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2But the
earth became waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the
surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was brooding upon the
surface of the waters. “ (Genesis 1:1 ~2)
Recommended Textbooks:

1. “Nuclear and Particle Physics”

by W.S.C. Williams, Oxford University Press, New York
士華圖書公司(02)27033016

2. “Introductory Nuclear Physics”

by Kenneth S. Krane, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

3. “Introductory Nuclear Physics”

by Samuel S.M. Wong, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York
民權書局有限公司(02)23651662, (02)23657999

4. “Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics”

by Fujia Yang, Joseph H. Hamilton
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Contents

1. Introduction 8. Nuclear Models

2. Some Quantitative Formalities 9. Forces and Interactions

3. The Size and Shape of Nuclei 10. Hadrons and the Quark-Parton Model

4. The Masses of Nuclei 11. The Electromagnetic Interaction

5. Nuclear Instability 12. The Weak Interaction

6. Alpha Decay 13. Particles: Summary and Outlook

7. Nuclear Collisions and Reactions 14. Nuclear and Particle Astrophysics

Nuclear Physics ≠ Nuclear Bomb !!
Aims
•To study the general properties of nuclei
•To examine the characteristics of the nuclear force
•To introduce the principal models of the nucleus
•To discuss the spontaneous decay of nuclei including
those far from the region of stability
•To study nuclear reactions, in particular fission and fusion
•To introduce detectors
•To discuss the practical applications of nuclear physics
•To develop problem solving skills in the above areas
 Why Do Nuclear Physics?

Nuclear physics is fundamental to

understanding our lives and the
physical world around us

What is the origin of the Universe?

What is the origin of nuclei - H, He,
Li...Fe...U,Th?

stars, supernova, the Big Bang

the creation of chemical elements
production of energy in stars and on Earth
nuclear astrophysics

We are all made from the products of exploding

stars

→ the study of nuclear cross sections

 Why Do Nuclear Physics?

Building matter and matter falling apart

building with quarks and leptons

-neutrons, protons, deuterons...
-Nuclei
→ how many elements, why?
→ stars, neutrino mass and the cosmos

matter decays - splitting the atom...

-alpha, beta, gamma
-fission particles
 Why Do Nuclear Physics?

Nuclear processes are used all around

us and there are key applications in
many aspects of our lives

Nuclear fission (fusion?) for generation of power

a not topic now - no CO2 emissions - but it is safe?

Radioactivity in medicine, industry and research

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (cancer),

Security (e.g. mine detection),
Fundamental studies such as neutrino properties (double
beta decay)...
 Why Do Nuclear Physics?

Medical applications

Cancer therapy using radiation

Historic use to kill cells - e.g. radium

Modern use with ion beams (e.g. GSI)

Medical imaging

MRI (Nuclear magnetic imaging)

Positron Emission Tomography
X-ray imaging
etc
 Why Do Nuclear Physics?
Other applications
The environment
Carbon dating - 12C/14C ratio
Argon gas dating
Rb/Sr dating of rocks

Biology
Archaeology (dating by isotope ratios)
Use of radioactivity to trace fluids in organs
Forensic

Security and industry

Oil well logging
Detection of bomb material
etc