2020　Basic Nuclear Physics

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Nuclear Engineering
Oguri Yoshiyuki  Chiba Satoshi  Katabuchi Tatsuya 
Course component(s)
Mode of instruction
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon3-4(原講571, North Bidg. 2, 5F-571)  Thr3-4(原講571, North Bidg. 2, 5F-571)  
Course number
Academic year
Offered quarter
Syllabus updated
Lecture notes updated
Language used
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Course description and aims

[Outline] Lecture on nuclear physics will be given as a basic subject of nuclear engineering.
[Aim] To understand and obtain the basic knowledge on nuclear physics for further study of nuclear engineering.

Student learning outcomes

The students obtain basic knowledge on nuclear physics and the knowledge to understand subjects of advanced courses in nuclear engineering such as nuclear reactor physics.


Nuclear size, Binding energy, Nuclear decay, Radiation, Mass formula, Free Fermi gas model, Shell models, Collective models, Optical model, Direct reactions, Compound nuclear reactions, Statistical mode, Nuclear data

Competencies that will be developed


Class flow

A questions-and-answers session will be conducted in each class.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 General Properties of Nuclei I: Nuclear Size and Density Explain the size/density of atomic nucleus, and related experimental evidences.
Class 2 General Properties of Nuclei II: Binding Energy Explain properties of nuclear force, and conduct calculation of nuclear binding energy.
Class 3 General Properties of Nuclei III: Nuclear Decay and Radiation Explain instability, decay of nucleus, and emission of alpha, beta, gamma radiation.
Class 4 General Properties of Nuclei IV: Mass Formula Conduct calculation of nuclear mass using a semi-empirical formula.
Class 5 General Properties of Nuclei V: Quantum Aspects of Nuclear Physics Explain Schroedinger equation, eigenvalues.
Class 6 Nuclear Structure I: Free Fermi Gas Model of Nuclei Explain exclusion principle, Fermi gas model.
Class 7 Nuclear Structure III: Nuclear Shell Model Explain shell structure and magic numbers of nuclei.
Class 8 Nuclear Fission Explain nuclear fission mechanisms.
Class 9 Application of Nuclear Physics to Nuclear Energy Understand basic characteristics of nuclear Explain nuclear reactors on the basis of what have learned in this lecture.
Class 10 Nuclear Structure III: Collective Models (Rotation, Vibration) Explain rotation and vibration motion of nuclei.
Class 11 Nuclear Reactions I: General Aspect of Nuclear Reaction Explain general aspect of nuclear reaction.
Class 12 Nuclear Reactions II: Resonance Reaction Explain resonance reaction.
Class 13 Nuclear Reactions III: Compound Nuclear Reactions, Statistical Model Explain compound nuclear reactions, statistical model.
Class 14 Nuclear Reactions IV: Neutron Capture Reaction Explain neutron capture reaction.

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)



None required.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Course materials are available at OCW-i.

Assessment criteria and methods

Term paper

Related courses

  • None


Basics of quantum mechanics

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