Nuclear & Particle Physics
8 terms
Neutrino
An extremely light, electrically neutral spin-1/2 elementary lepton that interacts almost exclusively via the weak nuclear force.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNeutrino Oscillations
A quantum mechanical phenomenon in which a neutrino created with a specific lepton flavor changes flavor as it propagates through space.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Binding Energy
The minimum energy required to completely disassemble an atomic nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Fission
A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller daughter nuclei accompanied by the release of neutrons and…
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Fusion
A nuclear reaction in which two light atomic nuclei collide and combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy.
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Reactor
An engineered facility in which a controlled self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is maintained to generate thermal energy for electrical…
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Shell Model
A quantum nuclear model describing nuclear energy levels in terms of individual nucleons moving inside a central potential well with strong…
Nuclear & Particle PhysicsNuclear Stability
A measure of a nuclide's resistance to spontaneous radioactive decay, determined by the balance between nuclear strong attraction and…