Introduction To Nuclear chemistry: Radioactivity and nuclear reaction

Описание: Nuclear chemistry is the study of the chemical and physical properties of elements and compounds that contain radioactive isotopes, as well as the study of nuclear reactions and the effects of radiation on matter. Radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei.

There are three types of radiation emitted from radioactive atoms: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Alpha particles are positively charged particles made up of two protons and two neutrons and are typically emitted by heavy nuclei. Beta particles are electrons or positrons emitted by the decay of a neutron or proton, respectively. Gamma rays are high-energy photons emitted by the decay of a nucleus.

Nuclear reactions involve changes in the nucleus of an atom and can be either spontaneous or induced. Spontaneous nuclear reactions occur when a nucleus undergoes decay to reach a more stable state. Induced nuclear reactions occur when a nucleus is bombarded with particles or radiation, causing it to undergo a change in its atomic structure.

Some common nuclear reactions include nuclear fission, which is the splitting of a heavy nucleus into two or more lighter nuclei, and nuclear fusion, which is the process of combining two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. These reactions have important applications in energy production and medicine, but also carry potential risks to human health and the environment.