Nuclear physics

What you'll learn

• Understand the equivalence between energy and mass as represented by E = mc^2 and recall and use this equation.
• Represent simple nuclear reactions by nuclear equations.
• Define and use the terms mass defect and binding energy.
• Sketch the variation of binding energy per nucleon with nucleon number.
• Explain what is meant by nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
• Explain the relevance of binding energy per nucleon to nuclear reactions, including nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.
• Calculate the energy released in nuclear reactions using E = c^2Δm.
• Understand that radioactive decay is both spontaneous and random.

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