After-Pop! What is Reactor Physics?

Ever wonder how tiny particles can power whole cities? In this After-Pop! we follow our previous episode with Ikhwan Khaleb and dive into the world of reactor physics — the science behind nuclear chain reactions, neutrons, and keeping everything safe and steady. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:What reactor physics actually means (and why it matters).The “life cycle” of a neutron, from birth to absorption.How scientists keep reactors balanced using criticality.What students study in reactor physics classes.Wanna learn more about reactor physics straight from the (peer-reviewed) source?Checkout these guides:  Stacey, W. M. (2018). Nuclear Reactor Physics (3rd ed.). Wiley-VCH.Comprehensive textbook covering neutron life cycles, chain reactions, and reactor kinetics.Lamarsh, J. R., & Baratta, A. J. (2017). Introduction to Nuclear Engineering (4th ed.). Pearson.Widely used undergraduate text explaining the fundamentals of reactor physics in accessible language.Duderstadt, J. J., & Hamilton, L. J. (1976). Nuclear Reactor Analysis. Wiley.Classic reference on neutron transport, diffusion theory, and criticality.American Nuclear Society (ANS). (2021). Nuclear Science and Technology Basics.Introductory resource created by professional nuclear engineers.https://www.ans.org/nuclear-basics/U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). (2022). Reactor Concepts Manual: Nuclear Physics Fundamentals.A regulatory training document explaining fission, chain reactions, and control systems.https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students.html