Nuclear & Particle Physics by Rajesh Verma is a comprehensive and student-friendly textbook designed according to the NEP-2020 and CBCS syllabus prescribed for B.Sc. Physics (Discipline Specific Elective) courses of Indian universities.

This book provides a clear and systematic understanding of the structure, properties, and interactions of atomic nuclei and fundamental particles, integrating classical concepts with modern experimental findings. The author presents complex topics in a simplified and conceptual manner, making it accessible to undergraduate learners.

Key Features:

• Covers the complete DSE syllabus for 5th & 6th semester B.Sc. Physics courses.

• Explains the structure of nucleus, radioactivity, nuclear reactions, and binding energy in detail.

• Discusses nuclear models — Liquid Drop Model, Shell Model, and Collective Model — with diagrams and solved examples.

• Introduces the fundamentals of particle physics, including classification of elementary particles, quantum numbers, conservation laws, and the Standard Model.

• Incorporates illustrative problems, conceptual questions, and numerical exercises for self-assessment.

• Useful for students of Dibrugarh University, Gauhati University, Bodoland University, and other Indian universities following NEP/CBCS/FYUGP curriculum.

  Unit-wise Course Outline

  Chapter 1: General Properties of Nuclei

  • Basic properties of nuclei: size, shape, mass, charge, density, spin, magnetic moment

  • Nuclear binding energy, packing fraction and stability

  • Mass defect and semi-empirical mass formula

  • Nuclear forces and their characteristics

  • Saturation property and charge independence

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  Chapter 2: Nuclear Models

  • Introduction and need for nuclear models

  • Liquid Drop Model: assumptions and limitations

  • Shell Model: quantum numbers, magic numbers, energy levels

  • Collective Model and its applications

  • Comparison of different models

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  Chapter 3: Radioactivity Decay

  • Law of radioactive decay and half-life

  • Types of radioactive decay: α, β, and γ decay

  • Conservation laws in radioactive disintegration

  • Successive disintegration and radioactive equilibrium

  • Artificial radioactivity and its applications

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  Chapter 4: Nuclear Reaction

  • Types of nuclear reactions and reaction energetics

  • Q-value and threshold energy

  • Conservation laws in nuclear reactions

  • Compound nucleus theory and nuclear cross section

  • Fission and fusion reactions

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  Chapter 5: Interaction of Nuclear Radiation with Matter

  • Interaction of charged particles with matter

  • Energy loss and range of particles

  • Interaction of γ-rays: photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, pair production

  • Attenuation of γ-rays and radiation shielding

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  Chapter 6: Detectors for Nuclear Radiations

  • Basic principles of detection

  • Ionization chamber, proportional counter, Geiger-Müller counter

  • Scintillation detector and semiconductor detector

  • Neutron detectors and nuclear emulsions

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  Chapter 7: Particle Accelerators

  • Introduction to accelerators and their applications

  • Linear accelerators and cyclotrons

  • Synchrotron and betatron

  • Van de Graaff generator

  • Uses of accelerators in nuclear and medical physics

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  Chapter 8: Elementary Particles

  • Classification of fundamental particles

  • Leptons, mesons, baryons and hadrons

  • Conservation laws and quantum numbers

  • Fundamental interactions (strong, weak, electromagnetic, gravitational)

  • Quarks and the Standard Model