Course: Atomic and Nuclear Physics

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Course title Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Course code KFY/P511
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction unspecified
Work placements unspecified
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Macková Anna, prof. RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
In the frame of the course will be explained the basic concepts of atomic and nuclear physics. We begin with description of atomic models as were developed in accordance to the important experiments accomplished at the beginning of 20th century. Thomson's experiment, discovery of electron, Rutherford experiment leading to the hypothesis of atomic nuclei, the observation of optical spectral lines during study of discharges in gases will be discussed. The study of spectral lines led to the Bohr atom model and to the birth of quantum mechanics itself. The atomic orbital model provided a new theoretical basis for spectroscopy. Main experiments leading to quantum theory introduction will be studied and commented in the frame of classical and quantum physics differences: photoelectric effect and its Einstein's interpretation, Compton's effect and wave-particle duality of particles, Davison-Germer experiment, Planck's interpretation of black-body radiation. Basic ideas and concepts of quantum mechanics will be presented and applied in the frame of quantum-mechanic model of hydrogen atom. Schrödinger equation for hydrogen atom will be solved and then we discuss the meaning of the hydrogen atom wave functions and energies. In the frame of atomic shell structure will be looked through the Frank-Hertz experiment, angular momentum of electron, spin of electron, magnetic behavior of atoms, atomic shell structure in accordance with periodic table of elements. The basic information about the origin, main principles and experimental data connected with atomic optical spectra will be presented and followed by discussion about the basic rules adopted for electromagnetic transition probability. Basic X-ray emission mechanism will be described and X-ray application in material science and medicine will be briefly introduced. The concept of electron spin will be shown on experiments leading to the electron spin discovery (Stern-Gerlach experiments with atomic beam in non-homogeneous magnetic field, Einstein-de Haas experiment dealing with macroscopic magnetic momentum measurement). In the second part of course we will focus on nuclear physics - firstly discovery of proton and neutron and first atomic nuclei models will be introduced. Basic physical quantitities as nuclei mass, binding energy as a function of nucleon number will be presented. Natural radioactivity, radioactivity decay rules, conservation laws and types will be described - production of alpha, beta and gamma particles. Cosmic rays origin and physical properties will be presented. Nuclear reactions, types of nuclear radiation, conservation laws and cross sections of these processes in accordance with the type of interaction (strong, weak, electromagnetic interaction) will be mentioned. We will touch the following topics - nuclear models, neutrons and protons in nuclei and their characteristics, basic characteristics of other particles, different types of nuclear reactions, fission and its application in nuclear reactors, detectors of ionizing radiation, main principles of detection of neutral and charged particles.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
In the frame of the course will be explained the basic concepts of atomic and nuclear physics. We begin with description of atomic models as were developed in accordance to the important experiments accomplished at the beginning of 20th century. Thomson's experiment, discovery of electron, Rutherford experiment leading to the hypothesis of atomic nuclei, the observation of optical spectral lines during study of discharges in gases will be discussed. The study of spectral lines led to the Bohr atom model and to the birth of quantum mechanics itself. The atomic orbital model provided a new theoretical basis for spectroscopy. Basic ideas and concepts of quantum mechanics will be presented and applied in the frame of quantum-mechanic model of hydrogen atom. Shrödinger equation for hydrogen atom will be solved and than we discuss the meaning of the hydrogen atom wave functions and energies. In the frame of atomic shell structure will be looked through the Frank-Hertz experiment, angular momentum of electron, spin of electron, magnetic behaviour of atoms, composition of atomic shell structure in accordance with periodic table of elements. The basic information about the origin, main principles and experimental data of atomic optical spectra will be presented and followed by discussion about X-rays production mechanism and Davis-Germer experiment. Next topics will be photoelectric effect, Einstein's interpretation, Compton's effect and wave-particle duality of particles. In the second part of course we will focus on nuclear physics - natural radioactivity, cosmic rays, decay rules, nuclear reactions, types of nuclear radiation - production of alpha, beta and gamma particles. Conservation laws and cross sections of these processes in accordance with the type of interaction (strong, weak, electromagnetic interaction) will be mentioned. We will touch the following topics - nuclear models, neutrons and protons in nuclei and their characteristics, basic characteristics of other particles, different types of nuclear reactions, fission and its application in nuclear reactors, detectors of ionising radiation, detectors of neutrons, main principles of detection of neutral and charged particles.

Prerequisites
Teaching in English is meant only for erasmus and foreign students. In the case of a small number of students is teaching in a form of individual consultations.

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Recommended literature
  • A. Das, T. Ferbel. Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics,. Singapore, World Scientific, 2003.
  • Daniš. Atomová fyzika a elektronová struktura látek. Academia Praha, 2019. ISBN 978-80-7378-376-1.
  • Macková, A. Atomová a jaderná fyzika. Ústí nad Labem: UJEP, 2003.
  • Macháček. Encyklopedie fyziky. Mladá fronta, Praha, 1995.
  • Úlehla, Trka, Suk. Atomy, jádra, částcie. Akademia, Praha, 1990.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Physics (A14) Category: Physics courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Summer