Chapter 1 Outline

Chapter One of the textbook will focus on a brief summary of nuclear reactor physics.  Detailed calculations and derivations will be spared in favor of qualitative description and comparatively simple approximate formulae.  More accurate methods of analysis will be described but not presented.

Chapter One: Nuclear Reactor Physics

1. Nuclear Reactions
   1. Binding Energy
   2. Radioactive Decay
2. Neutron Interactions
   1. Cross-Section
   2. Scattering
      1. Elastic Scattering
      2. Inelastic Scattering
   3. Absorption
      1. Enrichment
3. Neutron Distribution
   1. Energy Distribution
      1. Fast Neutrons
      2. Thermal Neutrons
   2. Multiplicity
   3. Neutron Diffusion
   4. Leakage
      1. Reflectors
4. Reactor Behavior
   1. Control Poisons
   2. Reactivity Feedback
      1. Reactivity Coefficients
      2. Composite Coefficients
      3. Reactor Transients
   3. Long-Term Behavior
      1. Fuel Depletion
      2. Product Buildup
5. Fusion Reactions