Science
Nuclear physics.
Definition
Nuclear physics is the study of atomic nuclei, their constituents (protons and neutrons), and the forces that hold them together (strong nuclear force). It covers topics including radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, binding energy, and the stability of isotopes.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation emitted during radioactive decay
- 2 Carbon-14 dating used to determine the age of archaeological artifacts
- 3 Nuclear binding energy explaining why iron-56 is the most stable nucleus
Key Fact
Binding energy per nucleon peaks at iron-56, the most stable nucleus.