Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

This lecture covers the basics of nuclear physics, including the benefits of nuclear energy over fossil fuels, classification of nuclear reactors, differences between PWR and BWR, thermal efficiency of LWR, energy released per fission of U-235, moderator vs. coolant, and major nuclear reactors classes. It also delves into atomic structure, constituents of the nucleus, excited states, radioactive decay, radioactivity calculations, nuclear reactions, and fission reactions. The lecture concludes with discussions on neutron cross-sections, fission products, fission energy, delayed neutrons, and the importance of decay heat removal in reactor design.