List of equations in nuclear and particle physics
This article summarizes equations in the theory of nuclear physics and particle physics.
Definitions
Quantity
(Common)
Defining equation SI units Dimension
(common name/s) symbol/s
N = Number of
atoms remaining
at time t
N0 = Initial
number of
Number of atoms
atoms at time dimensionless dimensionless
t=0
ND = Number
of atoms
decayed at
time t
Decay rate, activity of a
A Bq = Hz = s−1 [T]−1
radioisotope
Decay constant λ Bq = Hz = s−1 [T]−1
Time taken for half the number of atoms
present to decay
Half-life of a radioisotope t1/2, T1/2 s [T]
n (no standard
Number of half-lives dimensionless dimensionless
symbol)
Radioisotope time constant,
mean lifetime of an atom
τ (no standard s [T]
symbol)
before decay
Absorbed dose, total
D can only be
ionizing dose (total energy
found N/A Gy = 1 J/kg (Gray) [L]2[T]−2
of radiation transferred to
experimentally
unit mass)
Equivalent dose H Q = radiation quality factor Sv = J kg−1 (Sievert) [L]2[T]−2
(dimensionless)
Wj = weighting factors
corresponding to radiosensitivities
Effective dose E Sv = J kg−1 (Sievert) [L]2[T]−2
of matter (dimensionless)
Equations
Nuclear structure
Physical situation Nomenclature Equations
A = (Relative) atomic mass = Mass number =
Sum of protons and neutrons
Mass number N = Number of neutrons
Z = Atomic number = Number of protons =
Number of electrons
M'nuc = Mass of nucleus, bound nucleons
MΣ = Sum of masses for isolated nucleons
Mass in nuclei
mp = proton rest mass
mn = neutron rest mass
hence
(approximately)
Nuclear radius r0 ≈ 1.2 fm
nuclear volume ∝
A
nuclear surface ∝
A2/3
Dimensionless parameters to fit experiment:
EB = binding energy, where (due to
Nuclear binding av = nuclear volume coefficient, pairing of nuclei)
energy, empirical as = nuclear surface coefficient, δ(N, Z) = +1 even N,
curve ac = electrostatic interaction coefficient, even Z,
aa = symmetry/asymmetry extent coefficient δ(N, Z) = −1 odd N,
for the numbers of neutrons/protons, odd Z,
δ(N, Z) = 0 odd A
Nuclear decay
Physical situation Nomenclature Equations
Statistical
decay of a
N0 = Initial number of atoms radionuclide:
N = Number of atoms at time t
Radioactive decay
λ = Decay constant
t = Time
Bateman's
equations
I0 = Initial intensity/Flux of radiation
I = Number of atoms at time t
Radiation flux
μ = Linear absorption coefficient
x = Thickness of substance
Nuclear scattering theory
The following apply for the nuclear reaction:
a+b↔R→c
in the centre of mass frame, where a and b are the initial species about to collide, c is the final species, and R is
the resonant state.
Physical situation Nomenclature Equations
Cross-
section:
Spin
factor:
E0 = Resonant energy
Γ, Γab, Γc are widths of R, a + b, c respectively
Breit-Wigner
k = incoming wavenumber
formula
s = spin angular momenta of a and b
Total
J = total angular momentum of R
width:
Resonance
lifetime:
r = radial distance Differential
μ = Scattering angle cross-
A = 2 (spin-0), −1 (spin-half particles) section:
Born scattering
Δk = change in wavevector due to scattering
V = total interaction potential
V = total interaction potential
Mott scattering χ = reduced mass of a and b Differential
v = incoming velocity cross-
section (for
identical
particles in a
coulomb
potential, in
centre of
mass
frame):
Scattering
potential
energy ( α
=
constant):
Differential
cross-
section
(non-
identical
Rutherford
particles in a
scattering
coulomb
potential):
Fundamental forces
These equations need to be refined such that the notation is defined as has been done for the previous sets of
equations.
Name Equations
Strong force
Electroweak interaction
Quantum electrodynamics
See also
Defining equation (physical chemistry)
List of electromagnetism equations
List of equations in classical mechanics
List of equations in quantum mechanics
List of equations in wave theory
List of photonics equations
List of relativistic equations
Relativistic wave equations
Footnotes
Sources
B. R. Martin, G.Shaw (3 December 2008). Particle Physics (3rd ed.). Manchester Physics Series, John Wiley &
Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-03294-7.
D. McMahon (2008). Quantum Field Theory. Mc Graw Hill (USA). ISBN 978-0-07-154382-8.
P.M. Whelan, M.J. Hodgeson (1978). Essential Principles of Physics (2nd ed.). John Murray. ISBN 0-7195-3382-1.
G. Woan (2010). The Cambridge Handbook of Physics Formulas (https://archive.org/details/cambridgehandbo
o0000woan) . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-57507-2.
A. Halpern (1988). 3000 Solved Problems in Physics, Schaum Series. Mc Graw Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-025734-4.
R.G. Lerner, G.L. Trigg (2005). Encyclopaedia of Physics (2nd ed.). VHC Publishers, Hans Warlimont, Springer.
pp. 12–13. ISBN 978-0-07-025734-4.
C.B. Parker (1994). McGraw Hill Encyclopaedia of Physics (https://archive.org/details/mcgrawhillencycl1993par
k) (2nd ed.). McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-051400-3.
P.A. Tipler, G. Mosca (2008). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: With Modern Physics (6th ed.). W.H. Freeman
and Co. ISBN 978-1-4292-0265-7.
J.R. Forshaw, A.G. Smith (2009). Dynamics and Relativity. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-470-01460-8.
Further reading
L.H. Greenberg (1978). Physics with Modern Applications (https://archive.org/details/physicswithmoder0000g
ree) . Holt-Saunders International W.B. Saunders and Co. ISBN 0-7216-4247-0.
J.B. Marion, W.F. Hornyak (1984). Principles of Physics. Holt-Saunders International Saunders College. ISBN 4-
8337-0195-2.
A. Beiser (1987). Concepts of Modern Physics (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill (International). ISBN 0-07-100144-1.
H.D. Young, R.A. Freedman (2008). University Physics – With Modern Physics (12th ed.). Addison-Wesley
(Pearson International). ISBN 978-0-321-50130-1.
