22.02 | Spring 2012 | Undergraduate

Introduction to Applied Nuclear Physics

Tools

Mathematica Demos

These CDF files run in the Wolfram CDF Player, available as a free download.

TOPICS / LECTURES DEMONSTRATIONS NOTES

1. Introduction to Nuclear Physics

(Lectures 1–2)

Binding Energy from SEMF (CDF) SEMF and Liquid Drop Model: B vs. A
Binding Energy (B/A) from SEMF (CDF) SEMF and Liquid Drop Model: B/A vs. A
Radioactive Decay Chain (CDF)  

2. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

(Lectures 3–6)

Uncertainty Principle for Waves (CDF) Standing/Propagating wave vs. Wavepacket
Wave Packet (CDF) Wave packet and its Fourier transform

3. Radioactive Decay, Part I

(Lectures 7–8)

Scattering and Tunneling (CDF) Scattering and tunneling for a finite barrier. Change barrier height and length to change to probability of transmission.
Alpha decay (CDF) Calculate the Coulomb barrier for various parent nuclide and fragments. Compare alpha to other decays. Find the decay rate (from tunneling probability and frequency) from Gamow theory.
Alpha decay and alternative decays (CDF) Tunneling through the Coulomb barrier. The barrier height depends on Z. Vary the alpha’s Q value.

4. Energy Levels

(Lectures 9–13)

Bound States in an Infinite Potential Well (CDF) Energy eigenstates for an infinite well, between [0,L]
Bound States in a Square Potential Well (CDF) Energy eigenvalues and energy eigenstates for a finite well, between [-a/2, a/2]
Spherical Harmonics (CDF) Absolute value and real part of spherical harmonics
5. Nuclear Structure (Lectures 14–16) Shell Filling in the Nuclear Shell Model (CDF) Filling of the shell model levels. (Note that some level order is different than in Krane.)

6. Time Evolution in Quantum Mechanics

(Lectures 17–18)

Sinc Function for Fermi’s Golden Rule (CDF) Delta function as a limit of the sinc function

7. Radioactive Decay, Part II

(Lectures 19–20)

No demos  

8. Applications of Nuclear Science

(Lectures 21–25)

Neutron Scattering (CDF)  
Coulomb (Rutherford) Scattering (CDF)  

Other Demos

Quantum Tunneling and Wave Packets, from the PhET Interactive Simulations Project at the University of Colorado.

Course Info

As Taught In
Spring 2012
Learning Resource Types
Problem Sets
Exams with Solutions
Lecture Notes
Simulations