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PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS
PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Lecture 1: General Introduction to Nuclear Physics
Prof. Kyle Leach
August 24, 2021

Slide 1
Course Goals and Objectives

• Introduction to subatomic physics focused on the atomic nucleus.
• Characterization and systematics of nuclear states, symmetries,
and shapes.
• Introduction to the electromagnetic, weak, and strong
interactions through nuclear decay.
• Providing the student with a complete background

understanding of nuclear physics for future applications
http://subatomic.mines.edu
http://nuclear.mines.edu
http://electroweak.mines.edu
Slide 2 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Course Expectations
• Students should have a basic understanding of modern physics,

quantum mechanics, and their applications
Source: xkcd.com

Course Expectations
• Do your best to keep up with the readings and lecture review, the
textbooks are there to help...and are an excellent resource.
• Recommended Textbook • Supplemental Textbook

Introductory Nuclear Physics, Basic Ideas and Concepts in
1st Edition Nuclear Physics, 3rd Edition
Kenneth S. Krane Kris Heyde
Course Information
• Office: CoorsTek 310
• email: kleach@mines.edu
• Nearly all of my research is performed at accelerator laboratories
outside of the United States, so I’m not always here. Email is the
best way to get a hold of me.
• Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 9-10am.

• Still best to email me to let me know you’ll be coming to office
hours on a given week if you know in advance.
• Course Website: inside.mines.edu/∼kleach/PHGN422

• The syllabus, lecture slides, assignments, and supplemental
material will be uploaded to this page.
• You’ll still need to take notes, problems and work done on the
chalkboard are the student’s responsibility

Course Evaluation
• Assignments - 40%
• Four assignments will be given in total, each worth 10% of the final
grade
• They will be designed to comprehensively cover all material
presented in the course
• Midterm Examination - 30%

• One midterm exam covering the first portion of the course
• Final Presentation - 30%

• Students will be required to make a research presentation (10
minutes + 2 minutes question) on a nuclear physics topic of their
choice
• Topics will be chosen after the midterm
• Final two weeks of the course will in-class be presentations

So...Where Do We Start?
We need a point of reference to start discussing nuclear physics.

Distance and Energy Scales in Physics
Source: Department of Physics, Princeton University

Distance and Energy Scales in Physics

The Atom
Atomic excitations:
∼ 1-105 eV
Atom is a neutral system
Caused by transitions
between electronic states
Electrons
Nucleus
∼ 10−10 m = Å

The Atomic Nucleus

Nuclear excitations:
∼ 105 -108 eV
between nuclear states
Proton (π)
+
+
∼ 10−15
+ m = fm
Neutron (ν) +
Interactions can be thought of as

either microscopic or collective
Inside the Atomic Nucleus
+
Positive Charge Neutral Charge
Proton Neutron
Mass= 938.27 MeV/c2 Mass= 939.56 MeV/c2

Protons and Neutrons
In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

the same object; The Nucleon


Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:



• They are spin 1/2 Fermions



• Radius: r ∼ 1 × 10−15 m, or 1 fm (fermi)




• Charge:
• p → +e
• n→0




• Charge:
• p → +e
• n→0
• Mass:
• p → 938.27 MeV/c2
• n → 939.56 MeV/c2




• Charge:
• p → +e
• n→0
• Mass:
• p → 938.27 MeV/c2
• n → 939.56 MeV/c2
We will discuss the nuclear radius in the next lecture, but for now let’s
look at some properties of the nucleon.
Nucleons and Isospin
Proton Neutron

Nucleons and Isospin
Isospin: t = 1/2
Nucleon Nucleon
|pi = | − 1/2i |ni = | + 1/2i
The Structure of Nucleons
Particle excitations:
> 109 eV
“Up” (u)
m = 2.4 MeV/c2
< 10−18 m q = +2/3
u u u d
d d
“Down” (d)
m = 4.8 MeV/c2
q = −1/3
Proton Neutron
u,u,d u,d,d

Elementary Particles of the Standard Model

The “History” of Subatomic Physics

Back to the Atomic Nucleus

Nuclear excitations:
∼ 105 -108 eV
between nuclear states
Proton (π)
+
+
∼ 10−15
+ m = fm
Neutron (ν) +
Interactions can be thought of as

either microscopic or collective
Terminology
Nuclei are typically referred to by the number of nucleons (protons

and neutrons) that they contain:
A=N+Z
The number of protons defines the chemical symbol, and is also

referred to as the nuclear charge

Terminology

A=N+ Z
• Number of Neutrons


Terminology

A=N+ Z
• Number of Neutrons • Number of Protons


Typical Notation
AX
Z N

Typical Notation
AX
Z N
• A is the number of nucleons, or the nuclear mass

Typical Notation
AX
Z N
• X is the chemical symbol, as used in the periodic table, and is

defined by the nuclear charge Z

Typical Notation
AX
Z N
• X is the chemical symbol, as used in the periodic table, and is

defined by the nuclear charge Z
• Therefore, N and Z are often omitted, since all of the relevant

information can be defined by A and X
AX
Example
What is the notation for a nucleus with Z = 30 and N = 32

(ie. 30 protons and 32 neutrons)?

Example

• What is the chemical symbol for an element with Z = 30?

Example

Example

30Zn

Example

• Now include the number of neutrons (recall: A = N + Z)

Example

• Now include the number of neutrons (recall: A = N + Z)
62Zn
30 32

Example

• And finally, into more standard notation:

Example

• And finally, into more standard notation:
62Zn
So, we end with the mass-62 zinc nucleus. As most nuclear
physicists are a bit cavalier with the term “mass”, so let’s briefly clarify
what we mean.

The Atomic Mass Unit (a.m.u. or u)
The atomic mass unit is defined by the mass of 12

6 C6 , such that its
mass in a.m.u is exactly 12.
1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12


1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12
† Note: this is not, in general, true for any other nucleus. The nuclear (atomic) mass is
not simply the sum of its constituent nucleons. One must account for the binding
energy to obtain the nuclear (atomic) mass. This will be discussed next week.


1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12
• Unit Conversions:
• 1 u = 931.494 MeV/c2 (most common for our purposes)


1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12
• Recall: E = mc2
• mp = 938.27 MeV/c2
• mn = 939.56 MeV/c2
• me = 0.511 MeV/c2


1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12
• Recall: E = mc2
• mp = 938.27 MeV/c2
• mn = 939.56 MeV/c2
• me = 0.511 MeV/c2
• 1 u = 1.660 × 10−27 kg


1
1u = · m(12 C) (1)
12
• Recall: E = mc2
• mp = 938.27 MeV/c2
• mn = 939.56 MeV/c2
• me = 0.511 MeV/c2
• 1 u = 1.660 × 10−27 kg
• Also referred to as a Dalton (although very rarely...). 1 u = 1 Da

How We Organize Nuclei
We need to find a convenient way to classify nuclei with different

numbers of protons and neutrons.


• We know that atomic systems are organized by the number of

electrons (and their orbital shells) in the Periodic Table.



• This model will not work for nuclei since the classification
characteristics are very different. Also, there are several
thousand nuclei that need to be classified.
† Aside: There are roughly 3000 known (experimentally observed) nuclei in the universe. Recent predictions suggest that there
may be more than 7000 bound nuclear systems that are able to exist....
† J. Erler et al., Nature 486, 509512 (2012)



• This model will not work for nuclei since the classification
characteristics are very different. Also, there are several
thousand nuclei that need to be classified.
† Aside: There are roughly 3000 known (experimentally observed) nuclei in the universe. Recent predictions suggest that there
may be more than 7000 bound nuclear systems that are able to exist....
• Typically, these classifications are done by neutron and proton

number, and nuclei are arranged in what we call:
The Nuclear Chart or The Nuclear Landscape.
† J. Erler et al., Nature 486, 509512 (2012)

The Nuclear Chart
Phil Walker, New Scientist Magazine, October 2011

Navigating the Nuclear Chart

• Stable Nucleus - A nuclear system that does not undergo
radioactive decay (ie. it is energetically unfavourable). This
region of the nuclear chart is often called the Valley of Stability or
Line of Stability.


Line of Stability.
• Radioactive Nucleus (or unstable) - A nucleus that is
spontaneously able to decrease its total energy by emmitting
ionizing radiation. This may result in a change in the total
number of protons and neutrons.


Line of Stability.
• Neutron-Rich Nucleus - A nucleus that has an excess of
neutrons relative to the stable isotope for a given Z. This is to the
right of the valley of stability.


Line of Stability.
• Neutron-Deficient Nucleus (also: Proton-Rich) - A nucleus that
has an excess of protons relative to the stable isotope for a given
Z. This is to the left of the valley of stability.


Line of Stability.
• Neutron-Deficient Nucleus (also: Proton-Rich) - A nucleus that
has an excess of protons relative to the stable isotope for a given
Z. This is to the left of the valley of stability.
• The Driplines (proton and neutron) - The limits of the nuclear
chart where bound nuclei can no longer exist. On the far left is
the proton dripline and the far right is the neutron dripline.
Isotopes, Isotones, and Isobars
• Isotope:

• Isotope:
Nuclei with the same number of protons (Z), but a different number
of neutrons (N) and a different mass (A)

• Isotope:
• Isotone:

• Isotope:
• Isotone:
Nuclei with the same number of neutrons (N), but a different
number of protons (Z) and a different mass (A)

• Isotope:
• Isotone:
• Isobar:

• Isotope:
• Isotone:
• Isobar:
Nuclei with the same number of nucleons (mass? not really...) (A),
but a different number of protons (Z) and neutrons (N)

The Nuclear Chart
Phil Walker, New Scientist Magazine, October 2011

Interesting Features of the Nuclear Chart
The nuclear chart can reveal some interesting effects based on what
we (as a community) have observed over several decades. The
following is just a brief taste of what we will explore over the next 16
weeks....


Example: Energy required to remove two neutrons from a nucleus
Two-neutron separation energies (S2n ), http://www.nndc.bnl.gov


Example: Energy required to remove two protons from a nucleus
Two-proton separation energies (S2p ), http://www.nndc.bnl.gov


Example: The binding energy per nucleon (ie. BE/A)
Nuclear binding energies (per nucleon) (BE/A), http://www.nndc.bnl.gov


Example: Energy released (or required) in α decay
Alpha decay Q value (Qα ), http://www.nndc.bnl.gov

Applications of Nuclear Physics
Since nuclei close to each other often have similar characteristics, we

can also take a brief look at which regions of the nuclear chart are
relevant for various forms of physics and engineering.

Nuclear Astrophysics
Source: The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB)

Nuclear Fission: Energy and Engineering
http://www.nndc.bnl.gov

Our World for the Next 16 Weeks...
J. Erler et al., Nature 486, 509512 (2012)

Next Class...
Reading Before Next Class
• Introduction and Chapter 1 of Krane
Next Class Topics
• The fundamental interactions of nature
• The strong nuclear force and nuclear binding

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PHGN 422: NUCLEAR PHYSICS

PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Prof. Kyle Leach

August 24, 2021

Course Goals and Objectives

• Providing the student with a complete background

Slide 2 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

• Students should have a basic understanding of modern physics,

Slide 3 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

• Recommended Textbook • Supplemental Textbook

• Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - 9-10am.

• Course Website: inside.mines.edu/∼kleach/PHGN422

Slide 5 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

• Midterm Examination - 30%

• Final Presentation - 30%

Slide 6 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

We need a point of reference to start discussing nuclear physics.

Slide 7 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Distance and Energy Scales in Physics

Source: Department of Physics, Princeton University

Slide 8 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Distance and Energy Scales in Physics

Slide 9 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Slide 10 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

The Atomic Nucleus

Interactions can be thought of as

Inside the Atomic Nucleus

Slide 12 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

• Radius: r ∼ 1 × 10−15 m, or 1 fm (fermi)

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

• Radius: r ∼ 1 × 10−15 m, or 1 fm (fermi)

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

In fact, protons and neutrons are so similar, they can be classified as

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

• Radius: r ∼ 1 × 10−15 m, or 1 fm (fermi)

Slide 13 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Protons and Neutrons

Nucleons are (of course) quantum mechanical objects:

• Radius: r ∼ 1 × 10−15 m, or 1 fm (fermi)

Nucleons and Isospin

Slide 14 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics

Nucleons and Isospin

The Structure of Nucleons

Slide 15 — Prof. Kyle Leach — PHGN 422: Nuclear Physics