Nuclear Chemistry

Table of Contents

• • What is Nuclear Chemistry?
  • Nuclear Reactions and Radiations
  • Types of Radiations
  • Stimulated nuclear reactions

What is Nuclear Chemistry?

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 α particle includes two protons and two neutrons and is much similar to Helium (He )nucleus ⁴He₂. When an atom emits an α particle, the atomic mass of an atom decreases by 4 units.

Beta Radiation

When an atom emits a β 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.

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