Atomic + Nuclear Physics

Fundamentals
 Atomic Physics and Nuclear Physics
Atomic Physics Nuclear Physics
1. Scope and Focus
Atomic physics focuses on the behavior, Nuclear physics primarily deals with the
properties, and interactions of electrons behavior, properties, and interactions of
and the atomic nucleus as a whole. It atomic nuclei and their constituent
primarily deals with electromagnetic particles, such as protons and neutrons. It
interactions, energy levels, and transitions focuses on the strong nuclear force, which
within atoms. binds nucleons together inside the
nucleus.

2. Main Interactions
Atomic physics mainly involves The main interaction studied in nuclear
electromagnetic interactions between physics is the strong nuclear force, which
electrons and the nucleus. This includes is responsible for holding protons and
interactions related to energy levels, neutrons together in atomic nuclei.
electron transitions, and the
emission/absorption of photons.
 Atomic Physics and Nuclear Physics…
Atomic Physics Nuclear Physics
3. Scale of Study
Atomic physics studies the behavior of Nuclear physics focuses on the behavior
electrons around the atomic nucleus, of particles within the atomic nucleus,
involving scales on the order of angstroms which is on the order of femtometers
(1𝐴 ̇=10^-10 meters). (1fm = 10^-15 meters).
4. Forces Studied
The electromagnetic force is the primary The strong nuclear force is the dominant
force in atomic physics. It governs the force in nuclear physics. It's responsible
interactions between electrons and the for binding nucleons together in the
atomic nucleus, influencing energy levels, nucleus despite the electromagnetic
transitions, and chemical bonding. repulsion between +-ly charged protons.
5. Applications and Fields
Atomic physics has applications in areas Nuclear physics has applications in nuclear
like spectroscopy, laser technology, power, nuclear reactors, nuclear medicine
quantum mechanics, and understanding (such as radiation therapy and imaging),
the behavior of atoms in different and understanding fundamental particle
environments. interactions.
 Atomic Physics and Nuclear Physics….

Atomic Physics Nuclear Physics

6. Particles Studied
Atomic physics focuses on electrons, Nuclear physics deals with protons,
photons (particles of light), and neutrons, and other hadrons (particles
interactions involving them. composed of quarks), as well as the
interactions between them.
7. Energy Scales
Atomic transitions and interactions Nuclear reactions often involve higher
typically involve lower energy scales, energy scales due to the need to
leading to phenomena like spectral lines overcome the strong nuclear force.
in the electromagnetic spectrum. Processes like nuclear fission and fusion
release substantial energy.
Fundamental of Forces ??
 Fundamental of Forces
1. Gravity

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that causes objects with mass to be

attracted to each other. It can be calculated using Newton’s law of gravitation,
F=G(m1×m2)/r2 and follows an inverse-square law. It's relatively weak on the
subatomic scale. Gravity's influence is usually negligible in nuclear and particle
physics compared to the other three fundamental forces. ​

2. Electromagnetic Force

Electromagnetic force (F) includes the electric force and the magnetic force. The
electric force acts between all charged particles, whether or not they're moving. The
magnetic force acts between moving charged particles. This means that every
charged particle gives off an electric field, whether or not it's moving. Moving
charged particles (like those in electric current) give off magnetic fields. It is
responsible for interactions between particles with electric charge. The
electromagnetic force holds atoms and molecules together. In the context of
nuclear physics, it's important for understanding the properties of atomic nuclei.
The electromagnetic force can be attractive or repulsive. According to the Coulomb's
law, electromagnetic force between the charges, F = k (q1​×q2)​​/r2. Like charges (+ vs
+, -vs -) repel each other, while unlike charges attract each other.
 Fundamental of Forces…..

3. Weak Nuclear Force

The weak force is responsible for certain types of
radioactive decay and interactions involving neutrinos-ν
(mysterious/ghost particles-neutral one/no interaction
with matter). Unlike the electromagnetic force, the weak
force has a very short range and is relatively weak
compared to the electromagnetic and strong forces. It's
responsible for processes like beta decay, where a
neutron decays into a proton, an electron, and an
antineutrino, (ν̅).
 Fundamental of Forces…..

Neutrino
The neutrino is perhaps the best-named particle in the
Standard Model of Particle Physics: it is tiny, neutral, and weighs so little that no one has
been able to measure its mass. Neutrinos are the most abundant particles that have mass in
the universe. Neutrinos are produced by nuclear reactors, radioactive decay, particle
accelerators, the sun, the Earth, and the cosmos. Even a banana emits neutrinos—they come
from the natural radioactivity of the potassium in the fruit.

Once produced, these ghostly particles almost never interact with other matter. Tens of
trillions of neutrinos from the sun stream through your body every second, but you can’t feel
them.

Theorists predicted the neutrino’s existence in 1930, but it took experimenters 26 years to
discover the particle. Today, scientists are trying to determine the neutrino’s mass, how it
interacts with matter, and whether the neutrino is its own antiparticle (a particle with the
same mass but opposite electric or magnetic properties) or not. Some scientists think
neutrinos might be why all antimatter (the antiparticles of all matter) disappeared after the
Big Bang, leaving us in a universe made of matter.
 Fundamental of Forces…..

4. Strong Nuclear Force

The strong force, also known as the strong interaction
or strong nuclear force, is the fundamental force that
holds atomic nuclei together. It's the strongest force
among the four at extremely short ranges, within the
nucleus of an atom. The strong force binds protons
and neutrons together in the nucleus despite the
electromagnetic repulsion between positively charged
protons.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles

• Fundamental building blocks of a matter

• They are the smallest, indivisible entities that make up

all matter in the universe. They are not made up of
smaller components.

• They believe to be point-like and have no internal

structure

• Fundamental particles are divided into two main

categories: fermions and bosons.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…
Two main categories of fundamental particles;

1. Matter Particles (Fermions)

They make up matter.
• Quark
• Lepton

2. Force-Carrying Particles (Bosons)

They mediate the fundamental forces that govern
interactions between matter particles in the universe.
• Photon
• Gluon
• W and Z Bosons
• Higgs Boson
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…

1. Matter Particles (Fermions)

• Quark
Quarks are the constituents of protons and neutrons, which are
the building blocks of atomic nuclei. Quarks come in six different
"flavors," or types, each with its own distinct properties: up,
down, charm, strange, top, and bottom. These flavors are
assigned based on their various characteristics, such as their
electric charge and mass. Quarks are never found in isolation;
they are always bound together by the strong nuclear force to
form composite particles called hadrons.
• Lepton
Leptons are fundamental particles that do not experience the
strong nuclear force. Leptons come in three flavors i.e.
electrons, muons, and tau particles, along with neutrinos.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…
2. Force-Carrying Particles (Bosons)
• Photon
The photon is the mediator of the electromagnetic force,
responsible for interactions between charged particles
(e.g., electrons) that give rise to electric and magnetic
fields.
• Gluon
Gluons are the mediators of the strong nuclear force, which binds
quarks together inside protons, neutrons, and other hadrons. Unlike
other force carrier particles like photons (associated with
electromagnetism) and W/Z bosons (associated with weak nuclear
force), gluons are unique in that they carry the strong force itself,
binding quarks together to form protons, neutrons, and other
hadrons.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…
2. Force-Carrying Particles (Bosons)….

• W and Z Bosons
These particles mediate the weak nuclear force, which
is responsible for certain types of radioactive decays
and interactions involving neutrinos.

• Higgs Boson

The Higgs boson is an elementary particle associated

with the Higgs field. It gives mass to other particles
through their interactions with the field. Its discovery
confirmed the mechanism of mass generation in the
Standard Model of particle physics.
 Concept of Subatomic Particles
(Smaller than Atom)
• Atom = Electrons + Nucleus
• Nucleus and the electrons are sub-atomic
• Nucleus can be broken down into components; protons
and neutrons
Subatomic particles" is a broader term that encompasses
both fundamental/elementary particles and composite
particles that make up atoms.
Fundamental/Elementary type subatomic particles include
electrons, neutrinos, or quarks, while the composite type
subatomic particles include protons, neutrons, mesons.
They can be further decomposed into fundamental particles
like quarks.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…
Quantum Mechanics: The behavior of fundamental
particles is described by the principles of quantum
mechanics, which includes concepts like wave-particle
duality, quantization of energy levels, and probabilistic
outcomes.
Subatomic Particles: Fundamental particles are typically
subatomic, meaning they are smaller than atoms. They
exist within atoms and contribute to the structure and
behavior of matter.
Unification of Forces: One of the goals of particle physics
is to understand the unification of fundamental forces
into a single, more fundamental force. Grand Unified
Theories (GUTs) and theories like string theory aim to
explain the unification of forces at high energies.
 Concept of Fundamental/Elementary Particles…

• Experimental Study
Particle physicists study fundamental particles using particle
accelerators and detectors. High-energy collisions in
accelerators can reveal new particles and interactions that
provide insights into the nature of matter and forces.

• Dark Matter and Energy

Despite the progress made in understanding fundamental
particles, a significant portion of the universe's content
remains unknown, such as dark matter and dark energy.
These substances do not fit into the current framework and
are areas of active research.