Nuclear physics deals with studies of atomic nuclei, their components and their interactions. It also involves in the research of other types of nuclear matter. This field of physics studies the radiation from unstable nuclei and the structure of the atomic nucleus. Nuclear physics is fundamentally different from atomic physics, which analyses the atom in its entirety, including its electron. Protons and neutrons are approximately a thousand times smaller than their parent atom. They attract each other strongly by the nuclear forces. Quantum theory is essential for analysing nuclear structure.
Explorations in nuclear physics have paved the way for applications in many fields. This includes nuclear weapons, power, magnetic resonance imaging, industrial isotopes, radiocarbon dating in archaeology and geology, ion implantation in engineering, etc. These applications are studied in the branch of nuclear engineering. Particle physics was derived from nuclear physics, and two branches are generally taught mutually. The application of nuclear physics in astrophysics is vital in analysing the internal phenomena of stars and the source of chemical elements.
The video explains the fundamental concepts of nuclear forces.
Just like excited atoms, electromagnetic radiation is emitted by unstable radioactive nuclei (artificial or natural). The energetic nuclear photons are known as gamma rays. Radioactive nuclei also discharge other particles like helium nuclei (alpha rays), positive and negative electrons (beta rays), neutrinos, etc. A fundamental research tool of nuclear physics deals with the use of beams of particles (electrons or protons) applied as projectiles against nuclear destinations. Any resultant particles and nuclear fragments can be found. Their energies and directions are analysed to expose the details of nuclear layout and study more about the strong nuclear force. On the other hand, a weak nuclear force is responsible for the generation of beta rays. Nuclear collision tests use high-energy particle beams. They include unstable particles known as mesons generated by fundamental nuclear collisions in dubbed meson factories (accelerators). Meson exchange between neutrons and protons is the source of the strong force.
During collisions and radioactivity leading to the nuclear breakup, the chemical composition of the nuclear target is changed whenever there is a variation in the nuclear charge. In fusion and fission nuclear reactions, the unstable nuclei are joined into larger ones or split into smaller nuclei, respectively. The energy expelled is far more than any normal chemical reaction during such a process.
Important Nuclear Physics Question with Answers
1) What is meant by nuclear physics?
Nuclear physics deals with studies of atomic nuclei, their components and their interactions. It also involves in the research of other types of nuclear matter. This field of physics studies the radiation from unstable nuclei and the structure of the atomic nucleus. Nuclear physics is fundamentally different from atomic physics, which analyses the atom in its entirety, including its electron.
2) What are essential points to remember about nuclear physics?
Protons and neutrons are approximately a thousand times smaller than their parent atom. They attract each other strongly by the nuclear forces. Quantum theory is essential for analysing nuclear structure.
Explorations in nuclear physics have paved the way for applications in many fields. This includes nuclear weapons, power, magnetic resonance imaging, industrial isotopes, radiocarbon dating in archaeology and geology, ion implantation in engineering, etc. These applications are studied in the branch of nuclear engineering. Particle physics was derived from nuclear physics, and two branches are generally taught mutually. The application of nuclear physics in astrophysics is vital in analysing the internal phenomena of stars and the source of chemical elements.
3) Explain the nature of electromagnetic radiation that nuclear physics deals with.
Just like excited atoms, electromagnetic radiation is emitted by unstable radioactive nuclei (artificial or natural). The energetic nuclear photons are known as gamma rays. Radioactive nuclei also discharge other particles like helium nuclei (alpha rays), positive and negative electrons (beta rays), neutrinos, etc.
4) What is the importance of the use of beams of particles (electrons or protons) in the field of nuclear physics?
A fundamental research tool of nuclear physics deals with the use of beams of particles (electrons or protons) applied as projectiles against nuclear destinations. Any resultant particles and nuclear fragments can be found. Their energies and directions are analysed to expose the details of nuclear layout and study more about the strong nuclear force. On the other hand, a weak nuclear force is responsible for the generation of beta rays. Nuclear collision tests use high-energy particle beams. They include unstable particles known as mesons generated by fundamental nuclear collisions in dubbed meson factories (accelerators). Meson exchange between neutrons and protons is the source of the strong force. During collisions and radioactivity leading to the nuclear breakup, the chemical composition of the nuclear target is changed whenever there is a variation in the nuclear charge.
5) Explain the fusion and fission nuclear reactions.
In fusion and fission nuclear reactions, the unstable nuclei are joined into larger ones or split into smaller nuclei, respectively. The energy expelled is far more than any normal chemical reaction during such a process.
6) Nuclear Physics is the branch of physics that involves with the composition of the atomic _____ and its reactions.
Answer: nucleus
Explanation: Nuclear Physics is the branch of physics that involves with the composition of the atomic nucleus and its reactions.
7) What is meant by mass number (A)?
The mass number (A) is the total number of protons and neutrons in a nucleus. It is also known as the nucleon number.
8) Explain the fundamental characteristics of nuclear forces.
Nuclear forces are fundamentally attractive in nature.
The physical scope of nuclear forces is very short.
As the distance between two nuclear constituents decreases, the nuclear force becomes extremely weak between them.
These forces do not depend on charges.
The nuclear force depends on the spin.
9) _____ is a nuclear phenomenon that happens due to the decay or disintegration of the atomic nucleus.
Answer: Radioactivity
Explanation: Radioactivity is a nuclear phenomenon that happens due to the decay or disintegration of the atomic nucleus.
10) What are the units of radioactivity?
Rutherford (rd) and Curie (Ci) are the units of radioactivity.
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Practice Questions
1) What is meant by atomic number?
2) What is a neutron?
3) What is a proton?
4) What is meant by alpha decay?
5) What is meant by beta decay?
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