| Week of | Jan 14 | Feb 4 | Mar 4 | Apr 1
| Phy 360 page |
| Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Mar 18 | Apr 15 | ||
| Jan 28 | Feb 18 | Mar 25 | Apr 22 | ||
| Feb 25 |
15 Apr Applications of energy to nuclear masses and reactions. Binding energy and binding energy per nucleon. In particular, how does the latter concept apply to nuclear stability and to nuclear reactions?
17 Apr Consequences of the binding energy curve. In particular, discuss the implications for the evolution of the sun. Address two questions: How can you create elements heavier than iron? How do you get these elements out of the stars and into planets? The solution of this problem took many years of work and led to an understanding of supernovas.
Along the way, state the Chandrasekhar limit.
19 Apr Chains of radioactive decay. Start with an example staring from U-238. Then develop the differential equations to solve for the activity with a radioactive daughter element.
