2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

JUMNNG001 Introduction to the Chemistry and Physics of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

15 creditsClass Size: 10

Module manager: Professor BC Hanson
Email: b.c.hanson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

The unit aims to:
* provide an understanding of the nature and properties of the atomic nucleus, the interactions of radiation with matter and nuclear spectrometry
* build a solid knowledge base in all fundamental areas of basic inorganic chemistry across the actinides this will include structural, solution and redox
* give a broad overview of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
Students successfully completing this unit should be able to:
* Demonstrate a firm understanding in all aspects of the fundamental inorganic chemistry of the actinides
* Understand simple models of the atomic nucleus and their relevance to physical properties.
* Explain the mechanisms by which nuclear radiation interacts with matter and the implications for its detection and measurement.
* Give a broad overview of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Intellectual skills
Students successfully completing this unit should:
* Be able to synthesise the fundamental concepts in basic inorganic chemistry and be able to apply them to specific actinide and actinyl compounds and complexes
* Understand the basic concepts of radiochemistry
* Synthesise the basic principles of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Practical skills
* Work safely with radioactive materials
* Monitor the different types of radioactivity
* Set-up and use electronic spectroscopy equipment
* Identify oxidation states via electronic spectroscopy
* Perform simple computational modeling calculations to illustrate the bonding of some actinide complexes
* Computational Skills

Transferable skills and personal qualities
* Time management, problem identification and problem solving, quantitative analysis.
* Computational skills.

Syllabus

* The chart of the nuclides, the atomic nucleus
* Simple models of the atomic nucleus (liquid drop, shell and collective models)
* Excited states in nuclei
* Nuclear spin
* Nuclear transformations (decay and fission)
* Interactions of charged particles with matter (α, β and fission products)
* Interactions of high energy photons with matter (x and γ rays)
* Gas based detectors
* Semi-conductor detectors (α-particle and γ ray spectrometry)
* Bronsted-Lowry Acids and bases
* Metal ions in solution - hydration and hydrolysis
* Lewis acids and bases and complex formation
* Thermodynamics – enthalpy and entropy effects, chelate effect
* Hard/soft concepts – effect upon stability of complexes
* Electronic configurations and oxidation states
* Redox Chemistry
* Electronic spectroscopy
* Overview of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	Presentation	15.00
Assignment	Continuous Assessment	15.00
Viva	Viva voce Examination	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 19/07/2018

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