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Other types of radiation also exist, but alpha and beta particles are the primary drivers of basic nuclear reactions (Bodner, 2011; Loveland et al., 2006). Radioactive decay -- the result on the source substance of emitting of radioactive particles -- occurs at an exponentially decreasing rate over terms known as the "half life," which is the amount of time it takes for one-half of a quantity of a given radioactive element to transition to a lighter element through its loss of alpha particles (with incidental beta particle emission, as well, though this does not fundamentally change the element) (Carpi, 2003).
In a nuclear reaction such as the harnessed power of Uranium-235's radioactivity, neutrons are used to break apart the inherently unstable atoms of uranium, releasing two much smaller atoms and three more neutrons left over from the destruction of the uranium atom (Carpi, 2003). If these neutrons collide with other Uranium-235 atoms, the process will occur again, and a chain reaction can be built that keeps this process going (along with an abundant release of energy) as long as there is sufficient uranium to fuel the reaction (Carpi, 2003).
Conclusion
The reason this topic was selected for further discussion is because it is on the pioneering edge of energy provision, and as the world finds increasing problems not only with using but also with obtaining fossil fuels, nuclear energy is going to become all the more important. Making nuclear energy more efficient, safer, and less wasteful is going to be increasingly necessary, and this is only going to be accomplished through advancing knowledge in the area of nuclear chemistry....
The fact that this branch of chemistry also deals with some of the smallest particles that have chemical import (as far as we currently know) is also exciting, because it seems that the key to understanding how the mechanisms of the universe work lie in understanding the most basic pieces of matter/energy, which are found in atoms. Being able to study the basic blocks with which the very universe is built, and even to manipulate these blocks in order to help shape the future of the world and the species, would be both an awesome and a humbling experience, and these it is for these reasons that the area of nuclear chemistry is such a particularly appealing branch of chemistry.
The significance of nuclear chemistry to chemistry overall is, as stated above, difficult to overstate. As this branch deals with the most fundamental atomic particles involved in chemical reactions it informs certain pieces of knowledge in all other branches of chemistry, despite how restrictive the circumstances in which the direct relevance of nuclear chemistry might be. This makes it as essential to chemistry as the particles themselves.
References
Bodner. (2011). Nuclear chemistry. Accessed 16 December 2011. http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch23/history.php
Carpi, A. (2003). Nuclear Chemistry: An Introduction. In Visionlearning Vol. CHE-2 (3), Washington, DC: Dept. Of Education.
Duke. (2011). Nuclear chemistry. Accessed 16 December 2011. http://www.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/nuclear/nuclear.html#top
Loveland, W., Morrissey, D. Seaborg, G. (2006). Modern Nuclear Chemistry. New York: Wiley.
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