Is the math different between nuclear physics & regular physics? Is there really any difference between the 2?

Answer 1

This is a hard question to answer, because I have no idea what you mean by "regular physics". Do you mean elementary undergraduate physics? Elementary undergraduate physics uses vector calculus, and so does nuclear physics. However, early 20th century nuclear physics relies on simplified models of the nucleus, so that it can seem more like a field of engineering, with a lot of empiricism involved, rather than theoretical physics that have more emphasis on derived conclusions from fundamentals. When you get to the graduate level, the difference between the two narrows, since a lot of nuclear physics depends on particle theories, and frequently you have to be a professional mathematician to be able to work with such theories.

Answer 2

The difference between nuclear physics and nuclear engineering is similar to differences between musical theory and being able to play a violin. A body of facts from nuclear physics (cross-sections of various reactions, modes of radioactive decays and their energies etc) is used in nuclear engineering, but as a discipline it also involves material science, electronics etc. Another analogy is solid state physics and the art of manufacturing a BluRay dick player -- one feeds the other, but a BluRay engineer does not need to know solid state in depth, on the other hand he needs to know a lot of electronics etc.

Answer 3

Nuclear Physics deals with the physics of the nucleus of an atom.