Radioactivity
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is dedicated to radioactivity and its various applications. All radioactive decays will be explained in details both from the experimental and from the theoretical point of view. The main applications of radioactivity in art, health/medicine and different industrial fields will also be illustrated.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student:
1) Will know all radioactive decays in details (phenomenologically and theoretically)
2) Will know some of the possible applications of radioactivity like radiodating
3) Will know the effects of radiations on human beings
4) Will know the most important sources of environmental radioactivity
5) Will know the methods to produce artificial radioactive isotopes
1) Will know all radioactive decays in details (phenomenologically and theoretically)
2) Will know some of the possible applications of radioactivity like radiodating
3) Will know the effects of radiations on human beings
4) Will know the most important sources of environmental radioactivity
5) Will know the methods to produce artificial radioactive isotopes
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Hints on the discovery of radioactivity. The exponential law of radioactive decay: series of decays, transient and secular equilibrium, production and decay, branching ratios. Alpha, beta and gamma decays: phenomenological and theoretical aspects. Exotic decays: emission of protons and clusters. Fission. Hints on nuclear models: collective and single particle models. Environmental radioactivity. Artificial radioactivity. Applications towards medicine, archaeology, geology, environmental physics. Hints on nuclear astrophysics. Some particular topics are presented with invited talks given by experts of the field.
Prerequisites for admission
1. Fundamental aspects of nuclear physics
2. Fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics
3. Fundamental aspects of electromagnetism
2. Fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics
3. Fundamental aspects of electromagnetism
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons and seminars on specific subjects given by experts
Teaching Resources
G. Bendiscioli "Fenomeni Radioattivi dai nuclei alle stelle" ed. Springer
Additional material can be found on the platform Ariel (unimi website) like e.g. the presentations shown during the lessons
Additional material can be found on the platform Ariel (unimi website) like e.g. the presentations shown during the lessons
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist in a colloquium of about 30 minutes on the subjects explained in the frontal lessons. As a rule, the first question will concern radioactive decays while the second question will concern a possible application of radioactivity.
FIS/04 - NUCLEAR AND SUBNUCLEAR PHYSICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 42 hours
Professor:
Guglielmetti Alessandra Ada Cecilia
Professor(s)