Introduction to Nuclear Physics and Optics

Semester 2

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Nuclear Physics and Optics.

Syllabus:

Optics ( 11 Lectures):

Light as Electromagnetic Wave:
- The electromagnetic spectrum.
- The speed of light.
- Wavefronts and rays.
- Laws of reflection.
- Image formation by Concave and convex mirrors.
- Refraction of light.
- Index of refraction.
- Snell’s law.
- Total internal reflection and the critical angle. Examples of application of TIR.
Lenses:
- Thin converging and diverging lenses.
- Image formation by lenses using ray diagrams.
- Linear magnification.
- Derivation of the lens equation and sign convention.
- Lenses in combination.
Human Eye:
- Anatomy of the human eye.
- Image formation by the eye of objects at varying distances.
- Defects of vision (nearsightedness and farsightedness) and their correction by lenses.
Telescopes and Microscopes:
- Angular magnification.
- Simple and compound microscopes their angular magnification.
- Astronomical and Galilean telescopes and angular magnification.

Nuclear Physics ( 7 Lectures)

Nuclear Model of the Atom:
- Geiger-Marsden experiment.
- Nuclear structure.
- The fundamental forces.
- Binding energy and mass defect.
- Atomic mass unit.
- Nuclear stability and natural radioactivity.
- Fission and fusion.
Radioactivity:
- Radioactive decay and its equation.
- Radioactive activity.
- Radioactive dating.
- Medical and other applications of radioactivity.
- X-ray production and spectrum.
- Simple radioactive detectors.

Evaluation:

One 2-hour theory examination paper 60%

Two 1-hour in-course tests (15% each) 30%

Laboratory work (average of 6 labs at 10% each) 10%

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Appreciate that no material body, in free space, can travel faster than the speed of light.
Perform quantitative analyses of problems of image formation with concave and convex mirrors and thin lenses.
Explain the defects of vision and the methods of correction using appropriate lenses. In addition, to perform the necessary quantitative analysis to determine the focal length of the corrective lens.
Explain the construction of the compound microscope and the astronomical telescope and calculate the angular magnification in each case.
Explain the structure of the nucleus.
Explain the concepts of “binding energy” and “mass defect” and perform simple calculations to determine these quantities.
Explain nuclear stability and radioactive decay.
Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.

CXC/CSEC Physics or GCE â€œOâ€ Level Physics.

Required Textbook:

Cutnell, and Johnson; “Physics ”; 8^th Edition, 2009. ISBN 978-0-470-22355-0

Internet Sources:

Course Code:

PHYS0422

Credits:

3 Credits

Level:

Preliminary

The University of the West Indies, Mona