RADIATION PHYSICS - 2024/5

Module Overview

Lectures provide a detailed and systematic overview of atomic and nuclear physics including basic energetics of radioactive decay. An introduction on interactions of radiation with matter and introductory material describing detector operation.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

PODOLYAK Zsolt (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Lecturer


Title


Lecture Hours




Prof PH Regan


Atomic physics: Bohr model, Pauli Exclusion Principle, de Broglie hypothesis, Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, electronic structure of atom, x-ray spectra; Moseley’s law, x-ray fluorescence and x-ray fluorescence yield, Auger electrons. Experimental evidence for nuclear sizes;

Outline of Rutherford scattering, nuclear excited state energy and mass systematics, nuclear binding energy. Systematic study of nuclear binding energy: Von Weizsäcker Semi-Empirical Mass Formula and Liquid Drop Model, beta decay, energy released during fission of heavy nuclei; Basic phenomena behing the nuclear Shell Model, Woods-Saxon potentials, nuclear spin-orbit interaction,.

Introduction to theory of alpha and beta decay; Geiger-Nuttall Law, electron capture. Gamma emissions. Fission. Radioactive decay through a chain. Production of radionuclides.


 




Dr Z Podolyak


Interactions of radiation with matter, photons, neutrons and charged particles. Attenuation coefficients and the Mixture Rule. Concept of neutron flux and cross-section; the neutron spectrum.  The interaction of electrons (and other charged particles) with matter; elastic and inelastic processes, bremsstrahlung and radiative yield, energy dependence.  Measurement of radioactivity and standards.

Introduction to radiation detectors, describing the basic function and operation of semiconductor, scintillator and gas detectors, counting statistics, dead time and energy resolution.


 




 


 


 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of concepts behind Radiation Physics.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• 
  A multiple-choice class test. The class test will take one hour and will consist of 10 questions. This will make up 30% of the final module mark.
  


• A 2.0 hours duration examination paper that consists of 5 questions on Radiation Physics. Students will be asked to answer 3 questions from the 5. Full marks in the examination will be equivalent to 70 % of the total marks available in assessment of this module.

Module aims

• To provide the student with a detailed understanding of the structure of matter, radioactivity and different types of ionizing radiation.
• To provide the student with the comprehensive understanding of basic phenomena in atomic and nuclear physics including atomic and nuclear structure, decay mechanisms, electromagnetic quanta, characteristic and continuous X-ray sources. To provide an understanding of radiation counting, nuclear and atomic spectroscopy equipment.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Formal lectures and occasional large group tutorial/question sessions. Teaching given by handouts, data projector and white board presentations and notes.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHYM032

Other information

The School of Mathematics and Physics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: The module introduces learners to experimental techniques used by professional scientists in both industry and academia.  The students learn the relevant health and safety and technical aspects of radiation. The module, therefore, also represents an opportunity to practise and develop problem solving skills

Resourcefulness: The students will develop a problem solving mindset as they solve questions related to radiation protection.

Sustainability: Modern technology has the capability to produce energy without emitting CO2 and other gases heating the Earth. The physics of nuclear energy is part of this module.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.