Description

This module is an introduction to nuclear and particle physics delivered as a series of lectures and integrated self-study packs presenting topics as a series of keynote areas forming the foundations of the subject. This is a core module for all Physics programmes and is supported by Stage 3 tutorials and problems classes.

Module Aims

Investigations of the atomic nucleus and, of the fundamental forces that determine nuclear structure, offer fascinating insights into the nature of the physical world. The tools for probing these systems are high-energy particle accelerators and, more recently, colliding-beam systems. This module, aims to give students a broad overview of the subject matter, and encouragement to seek further information.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. describe the key properties of the atomic nucleus and explain these properties with the aid of an underlying theoretical framework;
  2. identify sequences of particles as energy excitations of a ground state;
  3. identify the quantum numbers that distinguish these sequences and use their conservation to analyse production processes;
  4. state the relevant conservation laws and use them in analysing meson decays;
  5. describe the basic weak interaction processes and the significant experiments that elucidate the nature of these;
  6. describe the quark model and be able to construct the quark composition of particles;
  7. explain the significance of symmetry to the multiplet structure of elementary particles;
  8. solve problems on topics included in the syllabus;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  9. identify significant applications which make use of nuclear physics, and explain the role of nuclear physics in these applications;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  10. give qualitative descriptions of complicated theories;
  11. reason logically within a set of given constraints;
  12. identify significant strands in a mass of confusing data.

Syllabus Plan

1. Nuclear structure
   Nuclear forces; liquid-drop model; Segrè curve and interpretation. Shell model; evidence for 'magic' numbers;
2. Nuclear spin (SS1)
   Conservation of spin and parity in nuclear decays. Nuclear spin resonance and magnetic resonance imaging.
3. Instability and modes of decay
   α-decay, simple version of tunnelling theory; β-decay, neutrino theory, summary of Fermi theory; Kurie plot. γ-decay; nuclear decay schemes.
4. Beta decay theory (SS2)
   Fermi theory of beta decay. Selection rules. Breaking of parity conservation in beta decay.
5. Nuclear reactions
   Energetics; Q-values; reaction thresholds. Compound nucleus model, partial widths. Resonance reactions; Breit-Wigner formula. Fission and Fusion.
6. The neutrino (SS3)
   Neutrino mixing angles and oscillation lengths. Neutrino masses. Dirac vs Majorana neutrinos
7. Introduction to particle physics
   Leptons, nucleons, hadrons, quarks and baryons. Symmetries and groups.
8. QED
   Relativistic quantum theory of electromagnetic interactions; antiparticles, electrodynamics of spinless particles, Dirac equation, electrodynamics of spin-1/2 particles.
9. The Casimir force and QED (SS4)
   Origin of the Casimir force. Zero point energy. High order corrections to interaction strengths in QED. Calculating interactions strengths in QED. Extensions to strong and weak forces.
10. Partons
    Structure of hadrons, gluons.
11. QCD
    Relativistic quantum theory of the strong interactions of quarks and gluons.
12. Symmetry in the Standard Model (SS5)
    Local symmetry in the Standard Model. Discrete symmetry: parity, charge conjugation and time reversal, CPT theorem. CP violation in the weak and strong forces.
13. Weak-interactions
    General structure, non-conservation of parity, massive neutrinos, neutrino experiments. Inverse β-decay. Two-neutrino experiment. CP violation in β-decay.
14. Gauge symmetries
    Gauge bosons

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

• Williams W.S.C. (1991), Nuclear and Particle Physics, Clarendon, ISBN 0-198-52046-8 (UL: 539.7 WIL)

Supplementary texts:

• Cottingham W.M. and Greenwood D.A. (1998), An Introduction to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-58832-4 (UL: 539.72 COT)
• Halzen F. and Martin A.D. (1984), Quarks and Leptons: An Introductory Course in Modern Particle Physics, John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-88741-2 (UL: 539.721 HAL)
• Krane K.S. (1987), Introductory Nuclear Physics, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-80553-X (UL: 539.7 KRA)
• Lilley J. (2001), Nuclear Physics: Principles and Applications, John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-97935-X (UL: 539.7 LIL)

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy3052

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Notes: See Physics Assessment Conventions.

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous