What is Nuclear Chemistry?
Nuclear chemistry is a field of chemistry that deals with the radioactive isotopes and other nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions give us an enormous amount of energy, while radioactive isotopes can help us to determine the age of old artifacts, diagnose different diseases, and also treat certain types of medical conditions.
Nuclear Reactions- Reaction that changes the nucleus of an atom
Nuclear Reactions release energy, and that is important because when they release energy they release a lot of it! There are two different types of nuclear reactions, fission and fusion.
Nuclear chemistry is a field of chemistry that deals with the radioactive isotopes and other nuclear reactions. Nuclear reactions give us an enormous amount of energy, while radioactive isotopes can help us to determine the age of old artifacts, diagnose different diseases, and also treat certain types of medical conditions.
Nuclear Reactions- Reaction that changes the nucleus of an atom
Nuclear Reactions release energy, and that is important because when they release energy they release a lot of it! There are two different types of nuclear reactions, fission and fusion.
Fission
Occurs when a large nucleus is split into smaller fragments. Is used to generate electricity in our nuclear power plants. Occurs when uranium nuclei are attacked with neutrons. Produces radioactive waste that can potentially be harmful to life unless properly stored. |
Fusion
Occurs when small nuclei are put together to forma a bigger nuclei. Is how the sun and all the stars generate energy. Small nuclei fuse together to create a larger helium nucleus. Generates more energy than fission. No radioactive waste. |
Nuclear Radiation
Radioactivity is when nuclear radiation in the form of rays and particles is released from a radioactive element. Elements are only radioactive if they have an unstable nucleus. The only way for an element to become stable is to undergo nuclear reactions.
There are three types of radiation, alpha, beta, and gamma.
Radioactivity is when nuclear radiation in the form of rays and particles is released from a radioactive element. Elements are only radioactive if they have an unstable nucleus. The only way for an element to become stable is to undergo nuclear reactions.
There are three types of radiation, alpha, beta, and gamma.
Balancing Nuclear Reactions