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Related Concept Videos

Applications Of NMR In Biology01:25

Applications Of NMR In Biology

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Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a very valuable analytical technique for researchers. It has been used for more than 50 years as an analytical tool. F. Bloch and E. Purcell formulated NMR in 1946 and won the 1952 Nobel Prize in Physics  for their work. Biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and organic molecules including pharmaceutical compounds, can be studied using this versatile tool that exploits the magnetic properties of certain nuclei.
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Nuclear Power02:36

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Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
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Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
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Nuclear Fission02:50

Nuclear Fission

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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...
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Nuclear Transmutation03:20

Nuclear Transmutation

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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...
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Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution01:14

Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution

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Near absolute zero temperatures, in the presence of a magnetic field, the majority of nuclei prefer the lower energy spin-up state to the higher energy spin-down state. As temperatures increase, the energy from thermal collisions distributes the spins more equally between the two states. The Boltzmann distribution equation gives the ratio of the number of spins predicted in the spin −½ (N−) and spin +½ (N+) states.
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Nuclear Fusion02:45

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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.
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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
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Applications of nuclear physics.

A C Hayes1

  • 1Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.

Reports on Progress in Physics. Physical Society (Great Britain)
|January 11, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review explores the diverse applications of nuclear physics, from historical developments in nuclear energy and weapons to modern uses in geophysics and medicine. It covers nuclear reactor physics, fusion, non-proliferation, and medical imaging techniques like PET and SPECT.

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Area of Science:

  • Applied Nuclear Physics
  • Nuclear Science and Engineering

Background:

  • Nuclear physics has evolved significantly since World War II, underpinning advancements in nuclear energy, weaponry, and fusion.
  • The field's applications have expanded into critical areas such as non-proliferation, geophysics, and medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a broad overview of the diverse applications of nuclear physics.
  • To summarize historical context and modern advancements in applied nuclear physics.

Main Methods:

  • Historical review of nuclear physics developments.
  • Summary of current applications in various subfields.
  • Discussion of nuclear diagnostics, safeguards, and imaging techniques.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear physics principles are fundamental to nuclear energy, fusion research, and non-proliferation efforts.
  • Modern applications include nuclear forensics, reactor safeguards, and advanced medical imaging (PET, SPECT).
  • Nuclear geophysics and nuclear medicine have seen significant recent progress.

Conclusions:

  • Applied nuclear physics encompasses a wide array of critical scientific and technological domains.
  • Understanding these applications is crucial for fields ranging from energy production to healthcare and global security.