Nuclear & Particle Physics
7 terms
Cherenkov Radiation
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Blue Light Photons (~400 nm)
The characteristic blue optical shockwave radiation emitted when a charged particle travels through a dielectric medium faster than the phase velocity of light in that medium.
cos θ = c / (n v) = 1 / (n β)
Cloud Chamber
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Visual Particle Tracks
A historic particle detector consisting of a sealed chamber containing supersaturated vapor where passing ionizing radiation forms visible condensation trails.
Condensation droplets forming along ion trails
Control Rods
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Reactivity Control (pcm)
Movable rods composed of high-neutron-capture elements (like cadmium, boron, or hafnium) inserted into a nuclear reactor core to regulate chain reaction rates.
Neutron Capture Reaction: ¹⁰B + n → ⁷Li + α
Cosmic Rays
Nuclear & Particle Physics
eV or GeV (Particle Energy)
High-energy relativistic atomic nuclei and subatomic particles originating from outer space that strike Earth's atmosphere.
Primary Energies up to 10²⁰ eV (Extreme Relativistic Protons)
Coupling Constant
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Dimensionless Parameter
A dimensionless number quantifying the relative interaction strength between particles or fields in a fundamental force interaction.
α_EM = e² / (4π ε₀ ℏ c) ≈ 1 / 137, α_s(Q²)
Critical Mass
Nuclear & Particle Physics
kg (Kilograms)
The minimum mass of fissile material required to sustain a continuous self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
Neutron Leakage Rate = Neutron Production Rate (k = 1)
Cyclotron (Particle Physics)
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MeV (Beam Energy)
A circular particle accelerator using a perpendicular magnetic field to bend charged particles into spiral paths while high-frequency AC electric fields accelerate them.
f_c = (q B) / (2π m), KE_max = (q² B² R²) / (2 m)