Nuclear Physics: From Nuclear Forces to Neutron Stars
From Nuclear Forces to Neutron Stars
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35 chapters
~28 hours total
59 pages
1
Front Matter
4 chapters2
Part I: Foundations — The Nuclear World
6 chapters- Part I: Foundations — The Nuclear World
- Chapter 1 — The Discovery of the Nucleus: From Rutherford to the Chart of Nuclides
- Chapter 2 — Nuclear Properties: Size, Shape, Mass, Spin, and Moments
- Chapter 3 — The Nuclear Force: What Holds the Nucleus Together
- Chapter 4 — The Semi-Empirical Mass Formula: A Liquid Drop with Quantum Corrections
- Chapter 5 — Quantum Mechanics Review: The Tools You Need for Nuclear Physics
3
Part II: Nuclear Structure
7 chapters- Part II: Nuclear Structure
- Chapter 6 — The Nuclear Shell Model: Magic Numbers and Independent Particles in a Mean Field
- Chapter 7: Beyond the Single Particle — Residual Interactions and Nuclear Correlations
- Chapter 8 — Collective Motion: Vibrations, Rotations, and Nuclear Deformation
- Chapter 9: Electromagnetic Properties and Transitions
- Chapter 10 — Exotic Nuclei: Far from Stability, Near the Drip Lines, and Beyond
- Chapter 11: Superheavy Elements — The Quest to Extend the Periodic Table
4
Part III: Radioactive Decay
6 chapters- Part III: Radioactive Decay
- Chapter 12 — Radioactivity Fundamentals: Decay Law, Activity, Half-Life, and Decay Chains
- Chapter 13 — Alpha Decay: Quantum Tunneling Through the Coulomb Barrier
- Chapter 14 — Beta Decay: The Weak Interaction in the Nucleus
- Chapter 15 — Gamma Decay and Internal Conversion: Nuclear De-Excitation
- Chapter 16 — Radiation Interactions with Matter: How We Detect What Nuclei Do
5
Part IV: Nuclear Reactions
6 chapters- Part IV: Nuclear Reactions
- Chapter 17 — Nuclear Reaction Fundamentals: Kinematics, Q-Values, and Cross Sections
- Chapter 18 — Compound Nucleus Reactions and Resonances
- Chapter 19 — Direct Reactions: Stripping, Pickup, and Knockout
- Chapter 20 — Nuclear Fission: Splitting the Atom
- Chapter 21 — Nuclear Fusion: Powering the Stars and (Maybe) the Grid
6
Part V: Nuclear Astrophysics
5 chapters- Part V: Nuclear Astrophysics
- Chapter 22 — Stellar Nucleosynthesis: How Stars Build the Elements
- Chapter 23 — Explosive Nucleosynthesis: Supernovae, Neutron Star Mergers, and the Origin of Heavy Elements
- Chapter 24 — Big Bang Nucleosynthesis: The First Three Minutes
- Chapter 25 — Nuclear Physics of Neutron Stars: The Densest Matter in the Universe
7
Part VI: Applications of Nuclear Physics
6 chapters- Part VI: Applications of Nuclear Physics
- Chapter 26 — Nuclear Energy: Reactors, Fuel Cycles, and the Future of Fission
- Chapter 27 — Nuclear Medicine: Diagnosis, Therapy, and Theranostics
- Chapter 28 — Nuclear Security, Nonproliferation, and Forensics
- Chapter 29 — Radiation in the Environment: Natural Background, Accidents, and Protection
- Chapter 30 — Accelerators and Experimental Techniques: The Tools of Nuclear Science
8
Part VII: Particle Physics Connections and Frontiers
4 chapters- Part VII: Particle Physics Connections and Frontiers
- Chapter 31 — The Standard Model and Nuclear Physics: Quarks, Gluons, and the Strong Force
- Chapter 32 — Fundamental Symmetries Tested with Nuclei: Parity, CP, and Beyond
- Chapter 33 — The Frontiers of Nuclear Physics: What We Don't Know and Where We're Looking
9
Part VIII: Capstone
3 chapters10
Appendices
11 chapters- Appendix A — Mathematical Foundations for Nuclear Physics
- Appendix B — Nuclear Data Tables
- Appendix C — Physical Constants and Conversion Factors
- Appendix D — Python Toolkit Reference
- Appendix E — Nuclear Databases and Online Resources
- Appendix F — Radiation Safety Quick Reference
- Appendix G — Notation and Symbol Guide
- Appendix H — Glossary
- Appendix I: Answers to Selected Exercises
- Appendix J: Bibliography
- Appendix K: Index
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