Nuclear Chemistry

Nuclear chemistry is an active research area aimed at understanding the structure of the atomic nucleus, but also in understanding how this structure impacts other aspects of the world around us, including the limits of existence in terms of the heaviest elements, the equation of state for nuclear matter and the use of exotic nuclei for societal applications. Nuclear Chemistry: Nuclear Science and the Structure of the Atomic Nucleus addresses the current state of the art in nuclear science, with a focus on sub-topics which remain strongly tied to chemistry rather than to physics disciplines. Nuclear science is historically nuclear chemistry; connections between nuclear science and chemical science are deep, substantial but often underappreciated. This volume will provide the necessary background, both scientific and historic, for students and experienced researchers alike to understand and appreciate the science of the atomic nucleus and the cutting-edge research which is ongoing in this area. The book is intended to provide a first introduction and overview of nuclear chemistry and nuclear science with chapters outlining the basic concepts before sections dealing with a range of core topics and highlighting current research directions to provide a reader with a clear overall sense of the field. This book is an ideal primer for advanced undergraduate and graduate-level students, postdoctoral researchers and research scientists in the fields of nuclear science, physical chemistry, chemical physics, particle physics and atomic theory. It will also be of interest to biochemists, medical personnel, material scientists, cosmochemists, radiochemists and others engaged in isotopes research, who may utilize nuclear techniques in their work.

• Explains the fundamental concepts in nuclear chemistry and nuclear science providing a firm basis for understanding of the research-focused chapters
• Gives the reader some broader context for the historic role of nuclear chemists in nuclear science, challenging the the current view of the field as “physics”
• Leverages the use of rich visual demonstrations including figures and images to explain concepts and experiments clearly for all readers, even those with no direct background