COURSE 1-1 Basic Concepts of Nuclear Engineering

Course 1-1 Basic Concepts of Nuclear Engineering

Lectures 1-12

Kyu-Tae Kim

Kyu-Tae Kim

12 payments of $20/month

Lecture 1. Atom and Nucleus


  • Structure of atom and nucleus
  • Atomic and mass numbers
  • Stable and unstable nuclides
  • Isotope, Isobar, Isotone and Isomer
  • Atomic mass unit and mole concept


Lecture 2. Radiation Characteristics
  • Electromagnetic waves(photons) 
  • Ionization, Excitation and Transition
  • Nuclide transmutation
  • Nuclide radioactive decay
  • Nuclide radioactive decay modes
Lecture 3. Fission Process


  • Fissile, fissionable and fertile nuclides
  • Nuclear fission process
  • Nuclear fission energy
Lecture 4. Fission Products and Decay Energy
  • Prompt and delayed neutrons
  • Fission yields of fission fragments
  • Decay heat generated by fission products
Lecture 5. Nuclear Reactions


  • Definition of nuclear reactions
  • Compound nuclear reaction model
  • Neutron-induced nuclear reactions
  • Mass-energy balance in nuclear reactions 


Lecture 6. Nuclear Cross-sections and Neutron Flux
  • Definition of micro and macro cross-section
  • Definition of neutron flux
  • Nuclear reaction rate
Lecture 7. Neutron Diffusion Equation
  • Definition of neutron current(J)
  • Neutron balance equation
  • Neutron continuity equation
  • Neutron diffusion equation
  • Neutron multiplication factor
Lecture 8. Neutron Moderation


  • Definition of Fermi age, diffusion area and migration area
  • Neutron moderation
  • Neutron logarithmic energy decrement
  • Criteria for selecting good moderators 
Lecture 9. Neutron Life Cycle and Critical Equation
  • Four and six multiplication factors
  • Critical equation and neutron life cycle
  • Geometrical and material bucklings


Lecture 10. Reactivity
  • Relationship between multiplication factor and reactivity
  • Reactivity coefficients: fuel, moderator, power, pressure
  • Doppler broadening effect on fuel reactivity
Lecture 11. Reactor Period
  • Generation times of prompt and delayed neutrons
  • Reactor period with prompt neutrons only
  • Reactor period with prompt neutrons and delayed neutrons
Lecture 12. Reactivity Control
  • Decay equations for Xe-135 and Sm-149
  • Concentration of Xe-135 and Sm-149 during power change
  • Chemical shim and reactor operation strategy

COURSE 1-1 is divided into Twelve(12) lectures

  Course 1-1 Basic Concepts of Nuclear Engineering
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