Introductory Nuclear Physics

Citation

Krane, K. S. (1987). Introductory Nuclear Physics. Wiley.

Chapter Summary

The book has 20 chapters in about 850 pages, grouped into four parts: Basic Nuclear Structure (Chapters 1–5), Nuclear Decay and Radioactivity (Chapters 6–10), Nuclear Reactions (Chapters 11–15) and Extensions and Applications (Chapters 16–20). The publisher describes it as an introduction to basic nuclear physics that covers nuclear decays, reactions and structure together with basic research and practical applications. It emphasises phenomenology and the results of real experiments, reinforces theory with examples, and offers a core of material for students with minimal background in mathematics or quantum theory, with more sophisticated material in separate sections. The contents mark material that can be omitted without loss of continuity in an abbreviated reading.

Part I, Chapters 1–5: Basic Concepts; Elements of Quantum Mechanics; Nuclear Properties; The Force Between Nucleons; Nuclear Models

The foundation. Chapter 1 sets out basic concepts and Chapter 2 supplies the quantum mechanics that the later chapters need, so the book can be used by readers who have not had a quantum course. Chapter 3 treats the measurable properties of nuclei, Chapter 4 the force between nucleons, and Chapter 5 the models used to describe nuclear structure.

Part II, Chapters 6–10: Radioactive Decay; Detecting Nuclear Radiations; Alpha Decay; Beta Decay; Gamma Decay

General radioactive decay comes first, followed by the detection of nuclear radiation, then a chapter for each of alpha, beta and gamma decay. Beta decay has a section on theory.

Part III, Chapters 11–15: Nuclear Reactions; Neutron Physics; Nuclear Fission; Nuclear Fusion; Accelerators

Reaction mechanisms and neutron physics lead into fission and fusion. The part closes with a chapter on accelerators.

Part IV, Chapters 16–20: Nuclear Spins and Moments; Meson Physics; Particle Physics; Nuclear Astrophysics; Applications of Nuclear Physics

The extensions look beyond the nucleus itself: nuclear spins and moments, mesons, particle physics, nuclear astrophysics, and a closing chapter on applications of nuclear physics.

Key Concepts

• Nuclear properties and the nucleon-nucleon force: what is measured about nuclei and how the force between nucleons is described (Chapters 3–4).
• Nuclear models: the simplified pictures used to organise nuclear structure (Chapter 5).
• Radioactive decay: radioactive decay in general and its alpha, beta and gamma modes (Chapters 6, 8–10).
• Radiation detection: the instruments through which nuclear radiation is observed (Chapter 7).
• Nuclear reactions and neutron physics: how nuclei interact with projectiles and neutrons (Chapters 11–12).
• Fission and fusion: the energy-releasing reactions, with applications (Chapters 13–14).
• Nuclear astrophysics: the role of nuclear physics in stars (Chapter 19).

Critical Analysis

Strengths

• Experiment-centred. The publisher states that the emphasis on phenomenology and the results of real experiments distinguishes the book, with theory reinforced by examples that apply the formalism; the publisher says this aids students in reading and analysing current literature.
• Layered for different backgrounds. The text provides a core for students with little mathematics or quantum theory, offers more sophisticated material in separate sections, and has a chapter on the elements of quantum mechanics, so it can be adapted to different preparation levels.
• Broad scope with practical orientation. Beyond structure and decay, the book includes detectors and accelerators, fission and fusion, nuclear astrophysics and a final chapter on applications.
• A built-in route for shorter courses. Marked sections can be skipped without loss of continuity, which supports a shorter reading.

Limitations

• Date. The book is from 1987, so measured values, accelerator facilities and astrophysical results have moved on; the site notes this edition is best for foundations and should be paired with current data.
• Size. At about 850 pages it is more than a one-semester course can cover; the marked optional sections and a selective reading of the later parts are needed.
• Particle physics is a single chapter. Meson physics and particle physics receive one chapter each in the extensions, so students interested in the Standard Model need a dedicated text.

Where It Fits in the Course

In the nuclear and particle physics course, Krane is the nucleus-centred option. Martin and Shaw's Nuclear and Particle Physics: An Introduction treats both fields in one undergraduate-level book, from basic interactions and experimental evidence to nuclear structure and the Standard Model, and is the closest alternative if the course is split between nuclear and particle topics. Griffiths's Introduction to Elementary Particles is a calculational introduction to particle physics, and Dodd and Gripaios's The Ideas of Particle Physics is a concise account of the Standard Model for readers with a science background. Frank Close's Particle Physics: A Very Short Introduction is a non-mathematical overview that can be read before any of these.

A sensible order for a student of nuclear physics is Close for orientation, Krane for nuclear structure, decay and reactions, and then Griffiths or Martin and Shaw for the particle side that Krane touches only in Chapters 17–18.

How to Use This Book

The book is for upper-level undergraduates who have a modern physics course with some quantum mechanics, along with calculus and basic electromagnetism, although the publisher says the core is designed for students with minimal background in mathematics or quantum theory.

A practical plan: take Chapters 1–5 as the foundation, using Chapter 2 as a refresher for quantum mechanics; read Chapters 6–10 on radioactivity and decay as the core of any course; then choose from Chapters 11–15 (reactions, neutrons, fission, fusion, accelerators) according to the course emphasis. The extensions (Chapters 16–20) work as independent modules. Skip the sections marked as optional on a first reading, and check numerical data against current tabulations because the book is from 1987.