Nuclear Physics

The branch of Physics that is concerned with the nuclear structure, properties and reactions, and their applications is called a Nuclear Physics.

When a nuclear reaction (both fission and fusion) takes place the immense amount of energy is released. This energy could be used for the constructive as well as destructive purposes. Unfortunately, the first major use of this energy was what the world observed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII. It was the event that gave birth to the misconception that nuclear energy is something horrible. The ground reality is some what different.

A nuclear reactor is a machine that initiates, controls and maintains the nuclear reaction. Different fuels used in the reactor are U²³⁵, U²³⁸ etc. Under the present circumstances, to overcome the power crises nuclear fuel is the next immediate alternative. The small quantity of the nuclear fuel generates enormous amount of energy. Theoretically 1kg of uranium may generate 7x10⁶ kWh of energy.

Nuclear medicine is the branch concerned with the application of radioactive nuclei in the diagnosis and therapy. Radioisotopes are used both for diagnosis and treatment of disease, especially cancer. A radioisotope follows the same path inside the body as the non-radioactive, normally ingested isotope of the same element and accumulates in the same area. Measurement of radioactivity at these areas indicates any abnormal activity in the body. A high level of radioactivity means that there are over active cancer cells present. Radioisotopes are used for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disorder, kidney treatment and liver studies. Equipments commonly used are scintillation cameras, G. M. counters, scanners and gamma cameras.

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Radioactive decay series

Cyclotron