Nuclear Science

Lecturer: A/Prof Martin Ebert

Director of Physics Research
Department of Radiation Oncology
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Hospital Avenue
Nedlands WA 6009
Tel: (08) 93461195
Fax: (08) 93463402
Email: Martin.Ebert@health.wa.gov.au

Overview

Nuclear science is one of the most prominent areas of physics in society. With a renewed global interest in nuclear processes and their applications, an understanding of this science is essential for informed participation in social development. In addition, nuclear physics is an essential part of many areas of physics and other sciences.

This course will develop an understanding of nuclear theory and the role of nuclear science in society. In particular, the emphasis is on nuclear reactions and the nuclear fuel cycle including the use of nuclear power. Contemporary applications of nuclear science in materials analysis and medicine will be examined, together with issues in radiation safety. The historical context of nuclear science is explored including the resulting political, scientific and sociological consequences, together with the current place of nuclear science in the global environment.

A basic summary of topics covered in each lecture and sample questions is provided (Lecture Summary and Sample Questions)

Course structure

1. Overview of course structure. Review of nuclear physics (nucleons, nuclear structure, isotopes, nuclear reactions and interactions). Historical development to 1945. A is for Atom.
2. The nuclear force. Binding energy and stability. Liquid drop model. Characteristics of individual nucleons. Nuclear shell model. Collective states.
3. Decay processes. Alpha, beta, gamma decay, transitions, spectra and models.
4. Nuclear reactions. Reaction processes, energies and product particles. Reference frame conversion. Cross sections.
5. Interactions with matter. Energy loss and interaction cross-sections.
6. Radiation and health. Biological radiation effects. Risk assessment.
7. Fission and the chain reaction. Neutron scattering. Diffusion and continuity equations.
8. Reactor fuels. Reactor design, kinetics and poisoning. Time-dependence. Commercial reactors. Breeder reactors.
9. The nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear waste. Nuclear accidents.
10. Historical development 1945 – 2000. Nuclear science promotion video. Social implications of nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Weapons proliferation and non-proliferation treaty. Anti-nuclear movement. International regulation and establishment of the IAEA. Nuclear power in Australia. Proposed civil, military and research nuclear industries. 2006 Task Force.
11. Nuclear physics in medicine. Isotope production. Magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine.
12. Materials analysis. Commercial nuclear applications – geology, tracing and gauging, sterilization, activation analysis. Nuclear terrorism (Litvinenko example) and dirty bombs. Review.

Assessment

One assignment (50% of mark). One 2 hour exam (50% of mark).

• Assignment (Nuclear Physics Assignment.pdf)
• Assignment Materials
• • Debate published in ‘The Age’ in 2001 between Colin Keay and Peter Garret (NuclearPowerDebate.pdf)
  • Mettler paper on medical radiation exposure in the U.S. (Medical exposure paper 2008.pdf)

References

Principal reference:

• Lilley JS, Nuclear Physics: Principles and Applications Wiley 2001

Other useful references:

• Eisberg & Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles, Wiley 1985
• BR Martin, Nuclear and Particle Physics: An introduction, Wiley 2006
• WM Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, 2nd edn, Wiley 2007
• E Lewis, Fundamentals of Nuclear Reactor Physics, Elsevier 2008
• D Bodansky, Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices, and Prospects, 2nd edn, Springer 2005
• S Dowd and E Tilson, Practical Radiation Protection and Applied Radiobiology 2nd edn, Elsevier/Saunders 1999
• Dyson NA Nuclear Physics with Applications in Medicine & Biology, 1981
• Murray RL Nuclear Energy, 1980
• Bennet DJ and Thomson JR The Elements of Nuclear Power, 3rd edn
• Sorenson JA, Physics in Nuclear Medicine, Orlando 1987
• Caldicott H, Nuclear Power is Not the Answer to Global Warming or Anything Else, Melbourne University Publishing 2006