Page 28 - CatalogNEP-PS

Phys.321 Nuclear and Particle Physics-I 3+1*

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of this course is to:
 impart the understanding of the general properties of nucleus, models for the nucleus,
various theories of the nuclear decay, basics of nuclear reactions and its types and the
interaction of the radiation with matter to understand the construction and working of the
nuclear radiation detectors.
 Brief introduction to the world of the fundamental particles.
 It will emphasize to gain knowledge about the different nuclear techniques and their
applications in different branches Physics and societal application.
 The course will focus on the developments of problem based skills.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
 understand the basic properties of nuclei as well as knowledge of experimental
determination of the same, the concept of binding energy, its various dependent
parameters, N-Z curves and their significance
 To appreciate the formulations and contrasts between different nuclear models such as
Liquid drop model, Fermi gas model and Shell Model and evidences in support.
 Knowledge of radioactivity and decay laws. A detailed analysis, comparison and
energy kinematics of alpha, beta and gamma decays.
 Familiarization with different types of nuclear reactions, Q- values, compound and
direct reactions.
 To know about energy losses due to ionizing radiations, energy losses of electrons,
gamma ray interactions through matter and neutron interaction with matter. Through
the section on accelerators students will acquire knowledge about Accelerator facilities
in India along with a comparative study of a range of detectors and accelerators which
are building blocks of modern day science.
 It will acquaint students with the nature and magnitude of different forces, particle
interactions, families of sub- atomic particles with the different conservation laws,
concept of quark model.
 The acquired knowledge can be applied in the areas of nuclear medicine, medical
physics, archaeology, geology and other interdisciplinary fields of Physics and
Chemistry. It will enhance the special skills required for these fields.

THEORY (45 Hours)

UNIT 1 (10 Hours)

General Properties of Nuclei: Constituents of nucleus and their Intrinsic properties, quantitative
facts about mass, radii, charge density, matter density (experimental determination of each),
binding energy, average binding energy and its variation with mass number, main features of
binding energy versus mass number curve, N/Z plot, angular momentum, parity, magnetic
moment, electric moments.
UNIT 2 (6 Hours)

Nuclear Models: Liquid drop model approach, semi empirical mass formula and significance of
its various terms, condition of nuclear stability, nucleon separation energies (up to two nucleons),
Fermi gas model (degenerate fermion gas, nuclear symmetry potential in Fermi gas), evidence for
nuclear shell structure and the basic assumptions of shell model.

13