Nuclear & Particle Physics
8 terms
Neutrino
Nuclear & Particle Physics
eV/c² (Mass Limit)
An extremely light, electrically neutral spin-1/2 elementary lepton that interacts almost exclusively via the weak nuclear force.
m_ν < 0.1 eV/c², Spin = ½, Charge = 0
Neutrino Oscillations
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Probability (0 to 1)
A quantum mechanical phenomenon in which a neutrino created with a specific lepton flavor changes flavor as it propagates through space.
P(ν_α → ν_β) = sin²(2θ) sin²(1.27 Δm² L / E)
Nuclear Binding Energy
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MeV (Mega-electronvolts)
The minimum energy required to completely disassemble an atomic nucleus into its constituent protons and neutrons.
E_b = Δm c² = [Z m_p + (A - Z) m_n - M_nucleus] c²
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MeV (Mega-electronvolts)
A nuclear reaction in which a heavy nucleus splits into two or more smaller daughter nuclei accompanied by the release of neutrons and substantial energy.
¹₀n + ²³⁵₉₂U → ²³⁶₉₂U* → ¹⁴¹₅₆Ba + ⁹²₃₆Kr + 3 ¹₀n + Q (~200 MeV)
Nuclear Fusion
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MeV (Mega-electronvolts)
A nuclear reaction in which two light atomic nuclei collide and combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing vast amounts of energy.
²₁H + ³₁H → ⁴₂He + ¹₀n + 17.6 MeV
Nuclear Reactor
Nuclear & Particle Physics
MWth or MWe (Power Capacity)
An engineered facility in which a controlled self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction is maintained to generate thermal energy for electrical power generation.
Multiplication Factor k = Neutrons in generation (i+1) / Neutrons in generation i
Nuclear Shell Model
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Quantized Energy Shells
A quantum nuclear model describing nuclear energy levels in terms of individual nucleons moving inside a central potential well with strong spin-orbit coupling.
Magic Numbers: 2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126
Nuclear Stability
Nuclear & Particle Physics
Dimensionless N/Z Ratio
A measure of a nuclide's resistance to spontaneous radioactive decay, determined by the balance between nuclear strong attraction and proton Coulomb repulsion.
N/Z ≈ 1 (for light nuclei), N/Z ≈ 1.5 (for heavy nuclei)