YAD-012 · Radiation and matter. Nuclear reactions Sample material

Mechanisms of nuclear reactions

Mechanisms of nuclear reactions: compound-nucleus reactions and Breit–Wigner resonances, evaporation, direct reactions (stripping, pick-up, knock-out), photonuclear reactions and the giant dipole resonance, electronuclear reactions.

Estimated time: 3 h 3 activities

Learning objective

Learn to distinguish compound-nucleus and direct reaction mechanisms.
Master the calculation of compound-nucleus excitation energy and resonance cross sections (Breit–Wigner formula).
Understand the role of direct reactions in nuclear spectroscopy.
Know the features and applications of photonuclear and electronuclear reactions.

Expected outcomes

Can find the excitation energy of a compound nucleus from masses.
Can calculate the level lifetime from the resonance width and the Breit–Wigner cross section.
Can identify the reaction mechanism from the angular distribution and time scale.
Can estimate photonuclear thresholds and the giant-resonance energy.

Interactive modelResonance reactions: the Breit–Wigner formula

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Activities

Lecture

Lecture · 1 h 20 min · required

Nuclear reactions. Direct nuclear reactions. Photonuclear and electronuclear reactions

Practice · 1 h 20 min · required

Final test

Test · 20 min · required · pass ≥ 70%

Completion conditions

Lecture
Nuclear reactions. Direct nuclear reactions. Photonuclear and electronuclear reactions
Final test — at least 70%