PHYS3701 Nuclear and Statistical Physics

This topic provides an introduction to Nuclear Physics and Statistical Mechanics.

The material to be taught in this topic will consist of a selection from the following lists:

Nuclear Physics: Basic properties of Nuclei, Scattering Theory, Nucleon-Nucleon Forces, Nuclear Models, Radioactive Decay, Nuclear Reactions, Fission, Fusion, Nuclear Astrophysics, Elementary Particles.

Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum Distributions, Microcanonical, Canonical, and Grand Canonical Ensembles, Equipartition Theorem, Fermi Gas, Bose Gas, Blackbody Radiation, Debye Theory, Bose-Einstein Condensation

This topic aims to give students a sound understanding of Nuclear and Statistical Physics. In addition, it aims to enhance students understanding, while developing their problem solving abilities, by including topic-specific problem solving exercises. Similarly, the students laboratory based work is aimed to both enhance their understanding and to develop their experimental skills.

1. Statistical Mechanics: Derive the Maxwell-Boltzmann, Fermi-Dirac, and Bose-Einstein Distributions
2. Statistical Mechanics: Understand and use various Statistical Ensembles to calculate thermodynamic quantities
3. Statistical Mechanics: Define and use the Partition Function
4. Statistical Mechanics: Derive the Equation of State for classical and quantum gases
5. Statistical Mechanics: Use the Equipartition Theorem to predict energies of various systems
6. Statistical Mechanics: Describe Fermion gases at zero and finite temperatures
7. Statistical Mechanics: Describe Bose gases at zero and finite temperatures
8. Statistical Mechanics: Use and understand the concept of phonons to describe vibrational energies of solids
9. Nuclear Physics: Describe the basic features of nuclei
10. Nuclear Physics: Understand and be able to use scattering theory to describe 2-body elastic cross sections and phase shifts
11. Nuclear Physics: Make simple potential models of the nucleon-nucleon force
12. Nuclear Physics: Qualitatively describe the Nuclear Shell and Collective Models
13. Nuclear Physics: Describe the basic properties of alpha, beta, and gamma decays
14. Nuclear Physics: Demonstrate basic knowledge of nuclear fission and fusion and their applications
15. Nuclear Physics: Appreciate the role Nuclear Physics plays in Astrophysics
16. Nuclear Physics: Complete related laboratory experiments