PHYS8701 Nuclear and Statistical Physics GE

This topic provides an introduction to Nuclear Physics and Statistical Mechanics. Lectures are supplemented with laboratory classes to aid learning outcomes.

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