Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

This lecture covers the basics of nuclear engineering, focusing on nuclear reactions, chain reactions, and the nuclear fuel cycle. It explains the energy production through fission and fusion reactions, the role of neutrons in sustaining chain reactions, and the importance of delayed neutrons. The lecture also delves into criticality conditions, multiplication factors, and the concept of a self-sustained fission chain reaction. Additionally, it discusses the characteristics of fissile and fertile isotopes, the neutron life cycle, and the factors affecting reactor criticality. The presentation concludes with an overview of the nuclear fuel cycle, including fuel enrichment, reprocessing, and waste disposal.