PH 354 - Nuclear Power, Applications and Safety

• Understand nuclear reactions and radiations; binding energy, nuclear stability, neutron reactions, radioactive isotopes
• Explain interaction of radiation with matter
• Understand the process of nuclear fission, fission energy, and critical mass
• Understand the interaction of neutrons with matter and the cross-sections for neutron reactions
• Understand the process of slowing down of neutrons in a non-multiplying medium
• Understand the criticality condition for a steady state reactor and multiplication factors
• State the basic differences between a homogeneous reactor and a heterogeneous reactor
• Understand the different methods of control of a Nuclear reactor
• Discuss the two different types of neutrons in a reactor; the prompt neutrons and the delayed neutrons. Discuss the effect of delayed neutrons in a reactor
• Define reactivity and the units of reactivity. Also, explain the natural reactivity changes and the factors affecting reactivity
• Explain temperature effects on reactivity and define the temperature coefficient of reactivity
• Understand the general feature of nuclear reactors and discuss the different types of reactors
• Compare and contrast between the process of fission and fusion
• Understand the biological effects of radiation
• Understand radioactive dating and the information available from isotopes
• Understand medical treatment and other useful radiation effects
• Discuss radiation protection

• None

• Nuclear energy - reactions - radiation (6 classes)
• Reactor theory and operation (6 classes)
• Radiation detectors and instruments (3 classes)
• Thermodynamics of nuclear power plants (3 classes)
• Radioactive half lives and radioactive shielding (3 classes)
• Biological effect of radiation (3 classes)
• Useful radiation effects (3 classes)
• Radioactive waste disposal (3 classes)