Category: Physics

  • Nuclear Fusion

    Nuclear Fusion

    Let us look at the graph for the energy of various nuclei. Remember tht this graph is upside down and so Iron (Fe) has the […]

  • About Uranium

    About Uranium

    It would be useful at this point to talk a bit more about Uranium and its isotopes. Uranium naturally occurs as two isotopes details of […]

  • The Rate of Decay

    The Rate of Decay

    The rate at which these unstable isotopes undergo decay varies greatly between the different isotopes. The process is random for each atom. However there is […]

  • Gamma  Radiation

    Gamma Radiation

    When an atom undergoes alpha or beta decay it can leave the nucleus in a high energy state. The atom goes to a lower energy […]

  • Decay Chains

    Decay Chains

    When an atom undergoes radioactive decay the isotope produced is not necessarily stable itself. If it is not then that can undergo radioactive decay. This […]

  • Moderation

    Moderation

    We have discussed fission and neutron capture. Now we are going to talk about how we can increase the likelihood that fission or neutron capture […]

  • Neutron Capture

    Neutron Capture

    Before we talk any further about fission it is useful to have a look at what other things can happen to the neutrons. One thing […]

  • Very Heavy Atoms – Fission

    Very Heavy Atoms – Fission

    Spontaneous Fission For heavy elements (greater than mass 232) the nucleus can split into two smaller elements and a few spare neutrons. This is called […]

  • Atomic Mass and Stability – Alpha Decay

    Atomic Mass and Stability – Alpha Decay

    As atomic mass increases the stability of the nucleus increases but after a while they become too heavy and the stability decreases. The graph above […]

  • Proton to Neutron Ratios and the Stability of Nuclei – Beta Radiation

    Proton to Neutron Ratios and the Stability of Nuclei – Beta Radiation

    Adding more neutrons to the nucleus does not change the chemical properties of the atom. A hydrogen atom with one or even two neutrons has […]

  • What Is Radiation

    What Is Radiation

    Radiation is just the term for something that can travel through empty space. It could be a particle or a wave. There are many different […]

  • The Structure Of Matter

    The Structure Of Matter

    Before we go any further we have to understand what makes up the matter around us – the computer in front of me, the air […]

  • Introduction

    Introduction

    Before we start on the subject of nuclear physics there are a few fundamentals that we have to understand: Energy Without energy nothing would happen. […]

  • What is a Watt?

    What is a Watt?

    Energy and Power A lot of people get confused about the difference betwen energy and power. Power is the amount of energy per unit time. […]

  • Basic Dimensional Analysis

    Basic Dimensional Analysis

    I think this is often counted as an advanced topic but it is really useful so I shall go through it here.All physical formulas have […]

  • Units

    Units

    Most physical quantities have units. Often they have more than one unit. For example the unit for distance is metre although it can also be […]