This hands-on textbook introduces physics and nuclear engineering students to the experimental and theoretical aspects of fission physics for research and applications through worked examples and problem sets. The study of nuclear fission is currently undergoing a renaissance. Recent advances in the field create the opportunity to develop more reliable models of fission predictability and to supply measurements and data to critical applications including nuclear energy, national security and counter-proliferation, and medical isotope production. An Introduction to Nuclear Fission provides foundational knowledge for the next generation of researchers to contribute to nuclear fission physics.

This book brings together various aspects of the nuclear fission phenomenon discovered by Hahn, Strassmann and Meitner almost 70 years ago. Beginning with an historical introduction the authors present various models to describe the fission process of hot nuclei as well as the spontaneous fission of cold nuclei and their isomers. The role of transport coefficients, like inertia and friction in fission dynamics is discussed. The effect of the nuclear shell structure on the fission probability and the mass and kinetic energy distributions of the fission fragments is presented. The fusion-fission process leading to the synthesis of new isotopes including super-heavy elements is described. The book will thus be useful for theoretical and experimental physicists, as well as for graduate and PhD students.

This book provides an overview on nuclear physics and energy production from nuclear fission. It serves as a readable and reliable source of information for anyone who wants to have a well-balanced opinion about exploitation of nuclear fission in power plants. The text is divided into two parts; the first covers the basics of nuclear forces and properties of nuclei, nuclear collisions, nuclear stability, radioactivity, and provides a detailed discussion of nuclear fission and relevant topics in its application to energy production. The second part covers the basic technical aspects of nuclear fission reactors, nuclear fuel cycle and resources, safety, safeguards, and radioactive waste management. The book also contains a discussion of the biological effects of nuclear radiation and of radiation protection, and a summary of the ten most relevant nuclear accidents. The book is suitable for undergraduates in physics, nuclear engineering and other science subjects. However, the mathematics is kept at a level that can be easily followed by wider circles of readers. The addition of solved problems, strategically placed throughout the text, and the collections of problems at the end of the chapters allow readers to appreciate the quantitative aspects of various phenomena and processes. Many illustrations and graphs effectively supplement the text and help visualising specific points.

Following the increasing cost of fossil fuels and concerns about the security of their future supply. However, the term 'nuclear power' causes anxiety in many people and there is confusion concerning the nature and extent of the associated risks.

This expanded, revised, and updated fourth edition of Nuclear Energy maintains the tradition of providing clear and comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the subject, with emphasis on the explanation of trends and developments. As in earlier editions, the book is divided into three parts that achieve a natural flow of ideas: Basic Concepts, including the fundamentals of energy, particle interactions, fission, and fusion; Nuclear Systems, including accelerators, isotope separators, detectors, and nuclear reactors; and Nuclear Energy and Man, covering the many applications of radionuclides, radiation, and reactors, along with a discussion of wastes and weapons. A minimum of mathematical background is required, but there is ample opportunity to learn characteristic numbers through the illustrative calculations and the exercises. An updated Solution Manual is available to the instructor. A new feature to aid the student is a set of some 50 Computer Exercises, using a diskette of personal computer programs in BASIC and spreadsheet, supplied by the author at a nominal cost. The book is of principal value as an introduction to nuclear science and technology for early college students, but can be of benefit to science teachers and lecturers, nuclear utility trainees and engineers in other fields.

Nuclear Fission provides a comprehensive account of nuclear fission. This book is organized into 14 chapters. Chapter I introduces and discusses the discovery of fission, followed by a treatment of transition nucleus in Chapters II to VIII. Chapter IX deals with the theories of mass and energy distributions. The kinetic energy release in fission is described in Chapter X, while the distribution of mass and charge in fission is considered in Chapter XI. Chapters XII and XIII consider the emission of neutrons and ? rays from fission. Detailed studies of the ? particles accompanying fission are covered in the last chapter. This volume is intended for students, but is also valuable to research scientists interested in the physics and chemistry of fission.

An accessible introduction to nuclear and particle physics with equal coverage of both topics, this text covers all the standard topics in particle and nuclear physics thoroughly and provides a few extras, including chapters on experimental methods; applications of nuclear physics including fission, fusion and biomedical applications; and unsolved problems for the future. It includes basic concepts and theory combined with current and future applications. An excellent resource for physics and astronomy undergraduates in higher-level courses, this text also serves well as a general reference for graduate studies.