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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating02:48

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
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Nuclear Binding Energy02:13

Nuclear Binding Energy

The difference between the calculated and experimentally measured masses is known as the mass defect of the atom. In the case of helium-4, the mass defect indicates a “loss” in mass of 4.0331 amu – 4.0026 amu = 0.0305 amu. The loss in mass accompanying the formation of an atom from protons, neutrons, and electrons is due to the conversion of that mass into energy that is evolved as the atom forms. The nuclear binding energy is the energy produced when the atoms’ nucleons are bound together;...
Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

Many heavier elements with smaller binding energies per nucleon can decompose into more stable elements that have intermediate mass numbers and larger binding energies per nucleon—that is, mass numbers and binding energies per nucleon that are closer to the “peak” of the binding energy graph near 56. Sometimes neutrons are also produced. This decomposition of a large nucleus into smaller pieces is called fission. The breaking is rather random with the formation of a large number of different...
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Nuclear Transmutation

Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed protons being...

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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Published on: December 14, 2017

IAEA Coordinated Research Project: updated decay data library for actinides.

M A Kellett1, F G Kondev, A L Nichols

  • 1Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, A-1400 Vienna, Austria.

Applied Radiation and Isotopes : Including Data, Instrumentation and Methods for Use in Agriculture, Industry and Medicine
|March 18, 2008
PubMed
Summary

Improving nuclear decay data for actinides is crucial for nuclear fuel cycle and safeguards. A Coordinated Research Project is enhancing the International Atomic Energy Agency

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Last Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear physics
  • Nuclear data
  • Radiochemistry

Background:

  • Accurate nuclear decay data for actinides are essential for.
  • Applications include fuel-cycle studies in thermal and fast reactors.
  • Inventory studies for nuclear safeguards also rely on this data.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To improve the actinide decay data library of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
  • To establish a comprehensive and up-to-date database for actinide decay properties.
  • To support advanced nuclear fuel cycle and safeguards research.

Main Methods:

  • Initiation of a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) in 2005.
  • Collaborative efforts among international experts.
  • Development of a new, expanded actinide decay data library.

Main Results:

  • Agreement to include additional actinides in the database.
  • Inclusion of a significant number of natural decay chain radionuclides.
  • Ongoing development of the enhanced IAEA actinide decay data library.

Conclusions:

  • The ongoing project is enhancing critical nuclear data.
  • The improved library will benefit reactor physics and nuclear security.
  • The project is expected to be completed in 2009/10.