CHEM 312 Fall 2014: Lecture 2 Nuclear Properties

A discussion on systematics of nuclear properties are presented. Mass, mass excess, and mass distribution within the nucleus is presented. Mass excess data are used to calculate energies in decays. Equations for determining nuclear radii are provided. Models that are used to describe the stability of nuclei are introduced. Nuclear shapes and structures are introduced.

CHEM 312 Fall 2014: Lecture 1 Introduction and Chart of the Nuclides

The class outcomes, expectations, and grading are explained. A history of radioelement discovery and radiation research is presented. The Chart of the Nuclides and Table of the Isotopes are discussed and used. Atomic properties, nuclear nomenclature, X-rays, types of decays and physical forces are introduced.

CHEM 312 Fall 2014: Lecture 0 Viewing online lectures

Using the online lecture format is presented. The lectures are available as notes without audio or animation, PowerPoint audio and animation, AVI video, and MOV video. AVI is a Microsoft video format and MOV is used with QuickTime. The use of multiple formats should permit viewing of lectures on a host of platforms.

CHEM 312 Final Exam

Posted 9-Dec-13
Comment by 13-Dec-13

Issues and topics related to radiochemistry are commonly found in the news.  Recent examples include the nuclear deal with Iran related to proliferation and the missing ⁶⁰Co source in Mexico.  The material and topics covered in the course should provide you with data and information to discuss these and other news items in more detail.

CNN recently showed Pandora’s Promise, a short movie on nuclear power.  Please review the movie and provide comments on the blog.  Your comments should include you overall opinion, comments on previous blogs posts, and some analysis or evaluation of presented topic matter based on material covered in the course. 

Pandora’s promise can be viewed at

http://alivemindcinema.com/pandoraspromise/

ticket number: radchemfinal

The location to enter the ticket number is under the watch now menu item.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Lecture 9, Part 2: Nuclear Reactions

The second part of the nuclear reactions lecture is posted.  This section covers the mechanisms and energy ranges of nuclear reactions of interests to radiochemists.  The lecture begins with scattering reactions, moves to low energy reactions, high energy reactions, then completes with photon based interactions.  High  energy reactions include spallation products, induced fission, and compound nucleus reactions.  The lecture ends with a discussion on reactions involved in the nucleosynthesis of elements.  

Lecture 9, Part 1: Nuclear Reactions

The first part of the lecture on nuclear reactions is posted.  The lecture begins with a general definition of terms describing nuclear reactions. An example of energetics is provided using the reaction of alpha particles on nitrogen.  A description of cross sections is provided.  This includes how cross sections can be larger than the relative nucleus area.  The first lecture ends with a description of how cross sections can be experimentally measured.

Lecture 8: Nuclear Models

This lecture covers nuclear force and nuclear models.  For nuclear force, a description of the strong force, how it is attractive, and how it equally effects neutrons and protons is provided.   Charge independent force in the strong force is described with mirror nuclei.  Information on the shell model is provided, covering how it is developed and the splitting of levels.  Trends in nuclei, magic numbers, and the role of unpaired nucleons are described.  The use of the shell model to determine the spin and parity of odd A and odd-odd nuclei is given.  Examples are provided for a number of nuclei types.  The use of the Nilsson diagram to determine oblate or prolate nuclear deformation is given.  The lecture ends with a description of the Fermi gas model for excited nuclei.