Interactions of Radiation with Matter: Neutrons

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
full-widthCall with Kai
GameKnowt Play
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/16

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the interactions of radiation with matter, particularly focusing on neutrons and their various sources and reactions.

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

17 Terms

1
New cards

Neutron Sources

Neutrons can be generated from various sources including (α,n) reactions, (γ,n) reactions, nuclear fission, and particle accelerators.

2
New cards

(α,n) Reactions

Reactions where alpha particles interact with target nuclei to produce neutrons.

3
New cards

Photon Neutron Sources

Neutrons produced by gamma interactions with light elements, such as 9Be(γ,n)8Be.

4
New cards

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)

A technique for elemental analysis involving the absorption of neutrons, inducing radioactivity in the target.

5
New cards

Thermal Neutrons

Neutrons with energies around 0.025 eV, indistinguishable from gas molecules in their environment.

6
New cards

Fast Neutrons

Neutrons with kinetic energies greater than 0.1 MeV, capable of penetrating nuclei.

7
New cards

Elastic Scattering

An interaction where the neutron bounces off a nucleus without losing energy, typically observed with low-Z nuclei.

8
New cards

Inelastic Scattering

Occurs when a neutron strikes a high-Z nucleus, transferring energy and causing the nucleus to emit gamma radiation.

9
New cards

Neutron Diffusion Length

The average distance traveled by neutrons before being absorbed, includes fast-diffusion and thermal diffusion lengths.

10
New cards

Charge Particle Emission

Reactions involving slow neutrons that results in the emission of charged particles like protons or alpha particles.

11
New cards

Neutrons from Accelerators

Neutrons generated through nuclear reactions facilitated by particle accelerators, such as the D-T reaction producing 14 MeV neutrons.

12
New cards

Neutron Absorption Cross-Section

A measure of the probability of neutron absorption by a nucleus, energy-dependent and described by 1/v law.

13
New cards

Neutron Capture

A process where neutrons are absorbed by a nucleus, leading to various reactions such as (n,γ) and (n,p).

14
New cards

Spontaneous Fission

Neutron emission from heavy nuclei as part of their decay process, often occurring for isotopes like 252Cf.

15
New cards

Neutron Emission Rate

The number of neutrons emitted per unit time from a source, critical for understanding neutron generators.

16
New cards

Energy Distribution of Neutrons

Refers to the variation in neutron energies produced in reactions, typically characterized by an average and most probable energy.

17
New cards

Neutron Reactions Important to Health Physicists

Key neutron interactions that affect biological tissues, contributing to radiation doses in various medical and health physics applications.