nuclear

## What I do - Analyze nuclear structure and binding energy - Model radioactive decay processes - Calculate nuclear reaction rates - Study fusion and fission energy - Analyze radiation shielding requirements - Model nuclear cross-sections ## When to use me When working with nuclear energy, radiation detection, or medical physics applications. ## Key Concepts - **Liquid Drop Model**: Semi-empirical mass formula for nuclear binding - **Magic Numbers**: Closed shells give extra stability (2, 8, 20, 28, 50, 82, 126) - **Decay Chains**: Series of radioactive decays reaching stable lead/bismuth - **Q-Value**: Energy release in nuclear reactions, Q = (m_initial - m_final)c² - **Cross Section**: σ probability for nuclear interactions - **Critical Mass**: Minimum mass for sustained nuclear fission