nuclear

What I do

• Analyze nuclear structure and binding energy
• Model radioactive decay processes
• Calculate nuclear reaction rates
• Study fusion and fission energy
• Analyze radiation shielding requirements
• Model nuclear cross-sections

When to use me

When working with nuclear energy, radiation detection, or medical physics applications.

Key Concepts

• Liquid Drop Model: Semi-empirical mass formula for nuclear binding
• Magic Numbers: Closed shells give extra stability (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126)
• Decay Chains: Series of radioactive decays reaching stable lead/bismuth
• Q-Value: Energy release in nuclear reactions, Q = (m_initial - m_final)c²
• Cross Section: σ probability for nuclear interactions
• Critical Mass: Minimum mass for sustained nuclear fission