Nuclear Physics

Protons are the positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom, along with neutrons.

Radioactive decay is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy and transforms into a more stable nucleus, emitting radiation in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves.

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more atomic nuclei combine to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy.

Nuclear fission is the process by which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.

James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1935.

Radioactive decay is the spontaneous emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from an unstable atomic nucleus.

Nuclear transmutation is the process by which one element is converted into another, typically through nuclear reactions.

Neutron capture is the process by which a nucleus captures a neutron and undergoes a transformation, often resulting in the formation of a new isotope.

Nuclear fission is used in nuclear power plants to generate electricity by splitting heavy atomic nuclei into lighter ones, releasing a large amount of energy.

Nuclear scattering is the process by which two atomic nuclei collide and exchange particles or energy, without undergoing a nuclear reaction.

Nuclear fusion is used in hydrogen bombs to produce a powerful explosion by combining light atomic nuclei into heavier ones, releasing a large amount of energy.

Alpha decay is the process by which a nucleus emits an alpha particle, which consists of two protons and two neutrons.

Radioactive decay is used in medical imaging techniques like PET scans by injecting radioactive isotopes into the body and detecting the emitted radiation.

Beta decay is the process by which a nucleus emits a beta particle, which can be either an electron or a positron.

Radioactive decay is used in carbon dating to determine the age of ancient artifacts by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon-14 present in the sample.