April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

CHAPTER 12

Nuclear Interactions and Reactions

Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Problem 12.1. Show that bombarding 9 Be with -particles of less than

10 MeV cannot produce 12 C and photons with energy on the order of
60 MeV.

Solution 12.1. The reaction is 94 Be + 42 12 C + n + , kinetic energies

by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

of particle and 94 Be are T 10 MeV and TBe = 0, respectively. The

reaction energy is
Q = + 9Be (12
C + n ) = 2.425 + 11.348 (0 + 8.071) = 5.702 MeV.

This is the energy available to be given o from the mass dierences. If

we add to this energy all the kinetic energy of the particle, 10 MeV,
and neglect the fact some of these energies must go into kinetic energy of
the 12 C and neutron in order to conserve linear momentum, the maximum
energy available for the photon is < 15.7 MeV.
Actually they presumably could have thought they were making 13 C+,
and then one must subtract 13
C of 3.125 from 15.7 MeV.

Problem 12.3. Calculate the threshold energy for each reaction in

Problem 10.22.

Solution 12.3. The relation of threshold energy with Q is:

The Qs were calculated in Problem 2.
M + M R
Kth = Q
M + MR Mi
(a) Kth = (1.193) 17+14
17+1
= 1.534 MeV.
(b) This is an exoergic reaction that gives o energy. There is no threshold
kinetic energy required. Only the Coulomb barrier must be overcome.


1.2 4 1
KCBT = 1 1+ = 1.73 MeV.
1 + 93 9

77
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

78 Problems and Solutions in Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics

(c) Kth = (12.425) 72+1+116

72+1+1
= 15.853 MeV.
(d) Kth = (6.978) 70+244
70+2
= 17.943 MeV.

Problem 12.5. Calculate the Coulomb barrier for 16 56

8 O + 26 Fe. What
16
kinetic energy is required to overcome this barrier (a) if O is the pro-
jectile, (b) if 56 Fe is the projectile? If the decay of a compound nucleus is
independent of its mode of formation, what are the advantages and disad-
vantages of using 16 O or 56 Fe as the projectile?
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

16
Solution 12.5. For the reaction 8 O + 56
26 Fe, the Coulomb barrier is

1.2Zi ZT 1.2 8 26
V = 1/3 1/3
MeV = MeV = 39.33 MeV
Ai + AT 161/3 + 561/3
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.



(a) Ai 16
KCBT = V 1+ = 39.33 1 + = 50.57 MeV
AT 56
(normal reaction)


(b) 56
KCBT = 39.33 1 + = 176.99 MeV
16
(inverse reaction)

In the normal reaction there is less threshold kinetic energy required, so

there is less energy that goes into internal energy of the compound nucleus;
therefore, fewer particles are boiled o. On the other hand, in the inverse
reaction the nucleus has higher velocity of recoil and greater Doppler shifts
of de-exciting rays, and the nuclei are all focused in the forward direction.
They can be focused into a recoil mass separator.

Problem 12.7.

(a) A neutron with energy E0 collides with a static carbon nucleus. Show
that after N collisions, the neutron energy is approximately equal to
(0.72)N E0
(b) A thermal neutron can cause 235 U to ssion easily, but the energies of
the neutrons produced in the ssion are rather high (MeV). If graphite
is used as the moderator in the reactor, how many collisions are needed
for a fast neutron with energy 2.0 MeV to be slowed down to a thermal
neutron with an energy 0.025 eV?
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

Nuclear Interactions and Reactions 79

Solution 12.7.

(a) In neutron-Carbon nucleus elastic collision, the momentum and kinetic

energy conservations are satised:

m1 v10 = m1 v1 + m2 v2 (1)
1 1 1
m1 v210 = m1 v21 + m2 v22 (2)
2 2 2

m1 m 2 A1 A2
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

11
v1 = v10 = v10 = v10
m1 + m 2 A1 + A2 13

2
1 1 11
E1 = m1 v21 = m1 v10 = 0.72 E0 for one collision.
2 2 13
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

After second collision

2
1 1 11
E2 = m1 v2 = m1 v1
2
2 2 13
= 0.72E1 = (0.72)2 E0 .

Therefore, after N collisions, EN = (0.72)N E0

(b) If, E0 = 2.0 106 eV and EN = 0.025 eV,
2.5 102 = 2.0 106 (0.72)N
N = 55.

Problem 12.8. The resonance reaction of the light nucleus 19 F under

proton bombardment often is used to energy calibrate accelerators. For
example:

Proton energy (keV) Reaction Width (keV)

19
224.4 F(p, ) 1.0
19
340.4 F(p, ) 4.5
19
873.5 F(p, ) 5.2
19
935.3 F(p, ) 8.0
19
1085.0 F(p, 4.0

(a) Determine the energies of a few excited energy levels of 20 Ne.

(b) Calculate the mean lifetime of the compound nucleus, 20 Ne.
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

80 Problems and Solutions in Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Solution 12.8.

(a) The reaction equation is: p + 19 F 20 Ne 16 O + ,

20
The excitation energy of compound nucleus Ne is

E = Ec + Sp
Ec = Ep ENe ,

where Ep and ENe are their kinetic energies and Sp is the proton
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

separation energy for 20 Ne, respectively.

Sp = mp + m19F m20Ne .

Since the momentum of the proton must equal the momentum of the
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

20
Ne recoil
 
pp = 2mp Ep = pNe = 2mNe ENe
mp
ENe = Ep
mNe
mNe mp
and Ec = Ep
mNe
mNe mp
E = Ep + mp + mF mNe .
mNe
E = 0.95 Ep + 7.289 1.487 (7.047) MeV
E = 0.95 Ep + 12.849 MeV
= 13.062, 13,172, 13.679, 13.738, 13.880 MeV, respectively.

(b)

= by the uncertainty principle
2

6.6 1019 keV s
= =
2 2(keV)
widths: =1.0, 4.5, 5.2, 8.0 and 4.0 keV (rst edition), respectively.
= 3.3 1019 , 7.3 1020 , 6.3 1020 , 4.1 1020 , 8.3 1020 .

Problem 12.9. If the power produced is 109 watt using the 2 H + 3 H

reaction, calculate how much tritium is used in one year. If using coal, how
much coal would be used in one year to produce this power? (Coal provides
3.3 107 J/kg.)
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

Nuclear Interactions and Reactions 81

Solution 12.9. The fusion reaction 2 H + 3 H 4 He + n + 17.6 MeV

(a) If the mass of T or 3 H is m(g), then the number of T atoms is

m
NA
A
and each produces 17.6 MeV. The energy produced is the power time
P t = 17.6 m
A NA (MeV), therefore,

AP t
m= g
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

17.6NA
3 g 109 (J/s) 365 24 60 60 s
=
17.6 106 eV 1.602 1019 (J/eV) 6.022 1023
= 55.7 103 g = 55.7 kg.
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

(b) The energy from coal is Pt = qm, q = 3.3 107 J/kg and t = 1y. Then

Pt 109 (J/s) 365 24 60 60 s

m= = = 96 107 kg.
q 3.3 107 J/kg

Problem 12.11. In the reaction 7 Li(p,d)6 Li, the binding energies are
known to be B(7 Li) = 39.246 MeV; B(6 Li) = 31.995 MeV; B(d) =
2.225 MeV. What is the Q value of the reaction? What is the threshold
energy Eth ? Explain why Eth is bigger than Q (absolute value).

Solution 12.11. 7 Li(p,d)6 Li

(a) Q = B(d) + B(6 Li) (B(p) + B(7 Li))

= 2.225 + 31.995 (39.246) MeV
= 5.025 MeV

(b)
Ml + MR 6+2
Eth = Q = (5.025) = 5.743 MeV
Ml + MR Mi 6+21
Eth is larger than Q in order to conserve momentum. The incoming
proton has a certain momentum, and the outgoing particles must have
momenta which add up to the initial momentum. The particles also
must have kinetic energy associated with their momenta.
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

82 Problems and Solutions in Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Problem 12.13. If the total mass of the universe is of the order of 1054 g
and it is compressed to the density of nuclear matter (2 1014 g/cm3 ),
what is the radius of the universe at that time? Compare this value with
the radius of the Sun (7 108 m).

Solution 12.13. If the total mass of the universe is m, its volume is V ,

then its density was equal to the density of nuclear matter:
m 1054 g 4
= = 2 1014 g/cm3 and V = cm3 = r3
V 2 1014 g 3
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

3 1054 cm3
r3 = = 0.1194 1040 cm3
4 2 1014
r = (1.194)1/3 1013 cm = 1.061 1013 cm
1.061 1013 cm
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

r
= = 0.151 103 = 151.5
Rsun 7 108 102 cm
r = 151.5Rsun .

Problem 12.15. If the relative abundance of 235 U and 238 U was 1:2 when
the Earth was formed, what is the age of the Earth based on their abun-
dance today and their lifetimes?

Solution 12.15. The Abundance ratio:

N0 (235 U) 1
= when the earth was formed
N0 (238 U) 2
N (235 U)
= 0.0072 now
N (238 U)
N (238 U) = N0 (238 U)e1 t
N (235 U) = N0 (235 U)e2 t
N0 (235 U) (1 2 )t 1
0.0072 = e = e(1 2 )t
N0 (238 U) 2
(1 2 )t = ln(2 0.0072) = 4.240
4.240 4.240
t= 0.693 =
 
0.693
T1 T2 0.693 TT21T 1
T2

T2 = 0.7 109 y , T1 = 4.5 109 y

t = 5.072 109 y.
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

Nuclear Interactions and Reactions 83

Problem 12.17. Calculate the Coulomb barrier for 60 Ni on l20 Sn. Could
these two nuclei fuse at energies below their barrier energy? What quantum-
mechanical phenomena can you use to justify your answer?
60 120
Solution 12.17. The Coulomb barrier for Ni on Sn is:.
1.2Zi ZT 1.2 28 50
V = 1/3 1/3
MeV = = 189.9 MeV
Ai + AT 601/3 + 1201/3
These two nuclei can fuse at an energy below their barrier energy by sub-
barrier fusion in which the two nuclei tunnel through the Coulomb barrier.
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Problem 12.19. Calculate the energy for a deuteron to undergo a strip-

ping reaction in which a neutron is transferred to a 60 Ni nucleus. Compare
this energy to that in the same reaction on 120 Sn.
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

60
Solution 12.19. Ni(d,p)61 Ni

Q1 = (60 Ni) + (d) ((p) + (61 Ni))

= 64.470 + 13.136 (7.289 64.219)
= 5.596 MeV for this exoergic process that gives o energy
120
Sn(d,p)121 Sn

Q2 = (120 Sn) + (d) ((p) + (121 Sn))

= 91.103 + 13.136 (7.289 89.203)
= 3.947 MeV; also gives o energy

Q1 > Q2
For the nuclei to touch or fuse is


1.2 1 28 2
K1CBT = 1/3 1+ = 6.709 MeV
60 + 21/3 60


1.2 1 50 2
K2CBT = 1 + = 9.851 MeV.
1201/3 + 21/3 120
However, the nuclei do not have to fuse for these stripping reactions to
occur.

Problem 12.21. Why is the Coulomb excitation of nuclear energy levels

such a useful tool to probe the structure of certain types of nuclei? What
information is gained from such studies?
April 16, 2010 10:12 9in x 6in b924-ch12 FA

84 Problems and Solutions in Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics

Solution 12.21. It is because one can excite the quantized energy states
of one or both nuclei by their Coulomb eld. The Coulomb eld is particu-
larly suited to excite collective excited states which are connected by electric
quadrupole radiation. From Coulomb excitation, we can obtain information
on the energies of excited the states and the transition probabilities.

Problem 12.23. What is the maximum angular momentum which can be

transferred to the compound nucleus in the reaction 34 S + 154 Gd at a 34 S
energy of 200 MeV?
Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

34
Solution 12.23. S + 154 Gd
1.2 16 64
V = 1/3 MeV = 142.9 MeV
34 + 1541/3
1/3 1/3 1/2
max = 0.32(AS + AGd )[(E V )]
by WSPC on 01/31/13. For personal use only.

 1/2
154 34
= 0.32(341/3 + 1541/3 ) (200 142.9) .
154 + 34
max = 2.75 [39.9] = 109.8
max = 110.