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Related Concept Videos

Nuclear Fusion02:45

Nuclear Fusion

The process of converting very light nuclei into heavier nuclei is also accompanied by the conversion of mass into large amounts of energy, a process called fusion. The principal source of energy in the sun is a net fusion reaction in which four hydrogen nuclei fuse and ultimately produce one helium nucleus and two positrons.
A helium nucleus has a mass that is 0.7% less than that of four hydrogen nuclei; this lost mass is converted into energy during the fusion. This reaction produces about...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes01:23

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes

In the absence of an external magnetic field, nuclear spin states are degenerate and randomly oriented. When a magnetic field is applied, the spins begin to precess and orient themselves along (lower energy) or against (higher energy) the direction of the field. At equilibrium, a slight excess population of spins exists in the lower energy state. Because the direction of the magnetic field is fixed as the z-axis,  the precessing magnetic moments are randomly oriented around the z-axis. This...
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...
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;...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment00:59

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Magnetic Moment

All atomic nuclei are positively charged. When they have a nonzero spin, they behave like rotating charges. As a consequence of their charge and spin, these nuclei generate a magnetic field (B). This, in turn, gives rise to a magnetic moment (μ), which is randomly oriented in the absence of an external magnetic field. When an external magnetic field (B0) is applied, the magnetic moment vectors can align with the field or against it in 2 + 1 orientations. A hydrogen nucleus, which is just a...
Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge03:08

Atomic Radii and Effective Nuclear Charge

The elements in groups of the periodic table exhibit similar chemical behavior. This similarity occurs because the members of a group have the same number and distribution of electrons in their valence shells.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
09:18

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

Published on: December 14, 2017

Nuclear astrophysics lessons from INTEGRAL.

Roland Diehl1

  • 1Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, D-85741 Garching, Germany. rod@mpe.mpg.de

Reports on Progress in Physics. Physical Society (Great Britain)
|February 5, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

High-energy photon measurements reveal gamma-ray lines from radioactive decays across the Galaxy. This nuclear astrophysics data complements atomic spectroscopy, offering unique insights into cosmic processes.

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Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
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Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
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Published on: December 14, 2017

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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear astrophysics
  • High-energy astrophysics
  • Gamma-ray astronomy

Background:

  • Cosmic sources emit high-energy photons from nuclear radiation.
  • The Interstellar Environment (ISE) contains radioactive decay products.
  • Atomic-line spectroscopy is a common astrophysical analysis method.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review results from gamma-ray line measurements of cosmic sources.
  • To understand insights gained over the past decade.
  • To explore astrophysical questions using nuclear processes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing data from the European Space Agency's INTEGRAL mission.
  • Employing high spectral resolution measurements of high-energy photons.
  • Analyzing characteristic gamma-ray lines from radioactive decays.

Main Results:

  • Gamma-ray lines from radioactive decays are detected throughout the Galaxy's interstellar medium.
  • The number of detected sources and significance of results are often modest.
  • Conclusions derived from gamma-ray data are important for astrophysics.

Conclusions:

  • Gamma-ray line measurements provide a unique astronomical window.
  • This method complements traditional atomic-line spectroscopy.
  • The study highlights the importance of nuclear processes in astrophysical research.