Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics

Field of physics that deals with the structure and behavior of atomic nuclei.

Nuclear physics is a field of physics that studies the constituents and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those in nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging.

Basic Nuclear Constituents: Protons and Neutrons

The nucleus of an atom is composed of two types of particles: protons and neutrons, collectively known as nucleons. Protons carry a positive electric charge, while neutrons are electrically neutral. The number of protons in a nucleus determines the atomic number and identifies the chemical element.

Nuclear Forces and Binding Energy

Nucleons are held together in the nucleus by the nuclear force, which is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. This force is much stronger than the electromagnetic force that would otherwise push the positively charged protons apart, but it acts over a very short range.

The binding energy of a nucleus is the energy required to disassemble a nucleus into its separate components. It is this energy, precisely the mass defect (the difference between the mass of a nucleus and the sum of the masses of its individual nucleons), that is released in nuclear reactions according to Einstein's equation E=mc^2.

Nuclear Reactions and Energy Release

Nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus, leading to a change in the composition of a nucleus. These reactions can be of various types, including radioactive decay, nuclear fission, and nuclear fusion.

In nuclear fusion, the nuclei of two light atoms combine to form a heavier atom. This process releases a large amount of energy due to the conversion of some of the mass of the reacting particles into energy, as predicted by Einstein's equation. The sun and other stars use nuclear fusion to generate their energy.

In conclusion, understanding the fundamentals of nuclear physics is crucial for comprehending how nuclear fusion works. The basic constituents of the nucleus, the forces that hold them together, and the energy released when these forces are overcome are all key concepts in the study of nuclear fusion.