Uses of Nuclear Chemistry

Introduction to uses of nuclear chemistry

Nuclear chemistry has evolved over the decades and has grown into a major branch of science. Nuclear chemistry essentially is the study of the physical and chemical properties of elements that are influenced by changes in the structure of atomic nuclei. Nuclear chemistry is also referred to  radiochemistry and has interdisciplinary applications.

Uses of Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear power is used to generate electricity. The discovery of nuclear fission led to the development of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear chemistry suggested the chemical separation techniques for isolation of radioactive isotopes from the fission products wastes for industrial and medical uses
Whether it is to determine the age of the universe or to define food chains in the oceans, astrophysicists, marine biologists, forensic scientists use the principles of radiometric dating to study diverse problems.

Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS), a newly developed analytical technique has made it possible for the nuclear chemists to apply the radiometric dating principles to the isotopes that are nonradioactive. This helps in studying new and ancient processes that were affected by isotopic fractionation.

Nuclear medicine is rapidly expanding. Short-lived radioactive isotopes are used to diagnose illnesses and to treat specific diseases.

Nuclear chemists are synthesizing drugs from radionuclides that are produced in nuclear reactors or accelerators. These drugs are injected into the patient to locate specific organs or cancerous tumors.  Radiopharmaceuticals are used to generate images of the tumors and the affected organ and to form a medical diagnosis of the problems. The tumors and the parts of the affected organs that are  missed by the x rays can be easily  detected with this technique. Radioactive compounds are administered in controlled doses to destroy tumors.

NMR nuclear magnetic resonance imaging uses the net spin of nuclei for imaging. This is used for diagnostic purposes in medicine. NMR provides detailed images of the inside of a human body without inflicting any radiation upon them.

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Conclusion to Uses of Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear chemistry is the study of properties of elements that are influenced by changes in the nuclei. Nuclear chemistry has several uses ranging from the study of element formation in the universe to the designing of radioactive drugs for diagnostic medicine. This field of chemistry  has lots more to offer in the days to come.

Symbols of these rays

1. Alpha rays
Represented as α. These are positively charged rays. Since the alpha rays have a mass of 4 amu and charge _2, they are actually helium nuclei. So, they are also represented as

42He or 42 α

2. Beta Rays
Negatively charged rays. They are represented as: β. Since they have a mass similar to electron, they are also represented as e-. They have a unit negative charge.
0-1e or 0-1 β