Course Course Title

Code Atomic and Nuclear Physics

USS101 (Program Core | School of Physical Science)

Evaluation Scheme
L T P Credits
Component Exam WT (%) Mini. Passing %
Theory FA 50 40%
4 - - 4 (100) 40%
SA 50 40%

Course Description:
This course contains the study of spectra obtained from single electron system in absence and
presence of magnetic fields. In addition, fundamentals of nucleus and nuclear reactions like fusion
and fission are to be studied.

Course Learning Outcome(s)

After the end of this course students will able to:
CLO1 Apply3 different rules to obtain doublet fine structure
CLO2 Analyze4 the effect of magnetic field on the spectra of single electron system.

CLO3 Describe atomic nucleus and the concept of radioactivity.

CLO4 Compare nuclear reactions and accelerators.

Units Description Hours

Doublet Fine Structure:

Optical spectral series, spectral notations, spectrum of sodium, doublet fine
structure, selection rule for doublets,
I 9
intensity rules for fine structure doublets, normal order of fine structure
doublets, electron spin-orbit interaction, calculation of term value of fine
structure level.
The Zeeman Effect and The Paschen-Back Effect
Early discoveries and Developments, the vector atom model of a One-
electron system in a weak magnetic field, The Magnetic moment of bound
9
II
electron, Magnetic interaction energy, Selection rules, Intensity rule.
The Paschen-Back effect, Paschen-Back effect of Principal-series Doublet,
Selection rules, The Zeeman effect and Paschen-Back effect of hydrogen
III Nuclear properties: 9
Size and structure of atomic nucleus and its relation with atomic weight;
Impossibility of an electron being in the nucleus as a consequence of the
 uncertainty principle. Nature of nuclear force, NZ graph, semi-empirical
mass formula and binding energy.
Radioactivity:
stability of nucleus; Law of radioactive decay; Mean life & half-life;  decay;
 decay - energy released, spectrum and Pauli's prediction of neutrino; -
ray emission.
Fission and fusion - mass deficit, relativity and generation of energy;
Fission - nature of fragments and emission of neutrons.
IV 9
Nuclear reactor: slow neutrons interacting with Uranium 235; Fusion and
thermonuclear reactions.
Elementary Particles and Particle Accelerators: Particle interactions;
basic features, types of particles and its families,
V 9
Accelerator facility available in India: Van-de Graaff generator (Tandem
accelerator), Linear accelerator, Cyclotron, Synchrotrons.

List of Tutorials

Sr.No. Title
1 Tutorial-01
2 Tutorial-02
3 Tutorial-03
4 Tutorial-04

Reference Books:

1. Atomic and Molecular Physics- Raj Kumar, PragatiPrakashan .

2. Elements of Spectroscopy- Gupta, Kumar, Sharma, Campus Books International .
3. Introduction to Atomic Spectra-H.E. White, Mac-GrawHill .
4. Nuclear Physics: Principles and Applications, by John Lilley, Wiley Publishers
5. Nuclear Physics: D. C. Tayal, Himalaya Publishers
6. Nuclear Physics: I. Kaplan, Addison Wesley; 2nd edition
7. Modern Physics - R.Murugeshan, E. K.Sivaprasath