NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY & NUCLEAR PHYSICS
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY is the study of the physical and chemical properties
of elements which are influenced by changes in the structure of the atomic nucleus.
It also deals with the energy released from nuclear reactions and its uses. It is also
termed as radiochemistry which includes the study of the formation of the elements
in the universe, the design of radioactive drugs for diagnostic medicine and many
other applications.
NUCLEAR REACTIONS AND RADIATIONS- There are three types of
radioactive radiations which were sorted out by Rutherford in 1902 by passing
them between two oppositely charged plates. The ones which bent towards the
negative plate carry a positive charge and are known as alpha rays. The ones which
bent towards the positive plate carry a negative charge and are known as beta rays.
The third type being uncharged passed straight through the electric field is known
as gamma rays.
TYPES OF RADIATIONS- Unlike a normal chemical reaction that forms
molecules, nuclear reactions result in the transformation of one element into
another. This property of nuclear reactions is used in nuclear power plants to gather
nuclear energy. The three common types of radiations are explained below.
ALPHA RADIATION- It is the emission part of an alpha particle from an
atom's nucleus. The particle includes two protons and two neutrons and is much
similar to Helium (He)nucleus 4He2. When an atom emits a particle, the atomic
mass of an atom decreases by 4 units.
BETA RADIATION- When an atom emits a ẞ particle, the mass of the atom
will not change. The atomic number will increase by one.
, GAMMA RADIATION- It involves the emission of electromagnetic energy
from an atom's nucleus. During gamma radiation, no particles are emitted and thus
it does not cause the transmutation of atoms.
STIMULATED NUCLEAR REACTIONS- While most elements undergo
radioactive decay naturally, nuclear reactions can be stimulated artificially. Such
types of reactions are mentioned
below.
NUCLEAR FISSION: It is the type of reaction where the atom's nucleus splits
into smaller parts releasing a huge amount of energy in the process.
NUCLEAR FUSION: It is a type of reaction where two or more elements fuse
together to form a larger element, releasing a large amount of energy in the
process.
NUCLEAR PHYSICS is the study of the protons and neutrons at the central of
an atom and the interactions that hold them together in a space just a few
femtometers (10-15 meters) across. Example nuclear reactions include radioactive
decay, fission, the break-up of a nucleus, and fusion, the merging of nuclei.
This branch of physics deals with the structure of the atomic nucleus and the
radiation from unstable nuclei. About 10,000 times smaller than the atom, the
constituent particles of the nucleus, protons and neutrons, attract one another so
strongly by the nuclear forces that nuclear energies are approximately 1,000,000
times larger than typical atomic energies. Quantum theory is needed for
understanding nuclear structure.
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY is the study of the physical and chemical properties
of elements which are influenced by changes in the structure of the atomic nucleus.
It also deals with the energy released from nuclear reactions and its uses. It is also
termed as radiochemistry which includes the study of the formation of the elements
in the universe, the design of radioactive drugs for diagnostic medicine and many
other applications.
NUCLEAR REACTIONS AND RADIATIONS- There are three types of
radioactive radiations which were sorted out by Rutherford in 1902 by passing
them between two oppositely charged plates. The ones which bent towards the
negative plate carry a positive charge and are known as alpha rays. The ones which
bent towards the positive plate carry a negative charge and are known as beta rays.
The third type being uncharged passed straight through the electric field is known
as gamma rays.
TYPES OF RADIATIONS- Unlike a normal chemical reaction that forms
molecules, nuclear reactions result in the transformation of one element into
another. This property of nuclear reactions is used in nuclear power plants to gather
nuclear energy. The three common types of radiations are explained below.
ALPHA RADIATION- It is the emission part of an alpha particle from an
atom's nucleus. The particle includes two protons and two neutrons and is much
similar to Helium (He)nucleus 4He2. When an atom emits a particle, the atomic
mass of an atom decreases by 4 units.
BETA RADIATION- When an atom emits a ẞ particle, the mass of the atom
will not change. The atomic number will increase by one.
, GAMMA RADIATION- It involves the emission of electromagnetic energy
from an atom's nucleus. During gamma radiation, no particles are emitted and thus
it does not cause the transmutation of atoms.
STIMULATED NUCLEAR REACTIONS- While most elements undergo
radioactive decay naturally, nuclear reactions can be stimulated artificially. Such
types of reactions are mentioned
below.
NUCLEAR FISSION: It is the type of reaction where the atom's nucleus splits
into smaller parts releasing a huge amount of energy in the process.
NUCLEAR FUSION: It is a type of reaction where two or more elements fuse
together to form a larger element, releasing a large amount of energy in the
process.
NUCLEAR PHYSICS is the study of the protons and neutrons at the central of
an atom and the interactions that hold them together in a space just a few
femtometers (10-15 meters) across. Example nuclear reactions include radioactive
decay, fission, the break-up of a nucleus, and fusion, the merging of nuclei.
This branch of physics deals with the structure of the atomic nucleus and the
radiation from unstable nuclei. About 10,000 times smaller than the atom, the
constituent particles of the nucleus, protons and neutrons, attract one another so
strongly by the nuclear forces that nuclear energies are approximately 1,000,000
times larger than typical atomic energies. Quantum theory is needed for
understanding nuclear structure.
