Nuclear Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry is the Chemistry of nuclear processes, radioactivity, and atomic nuclear transformations. It includes studies on radioactive elements like radon, actinides, and radium and relates to tools like nuclear reactors designed to carry out nuclear operations. Besides, Nuclear Chemistry informs on the application and production of radioactive sources and nuclear processes in none radioactive areas of development. Nonetheless, this paper provides significant information on the discovery of radioactivity, its definition, and nuclear medicine.
Discovery of radioactivity
Any sufficiently scientific discovery is indistinguishable from magic, and so was the invention of radioactivity. In 1896, Henri Becquerel, a French physicist involved in studying phosphorescent materials’ properties, which was indistinctly a magic experience (Bettelheim et al., 266). In his experiment, Henri exposed certain salts to sunlight for some time. Among them were uranium salts, which he observed to have phosphoresced upon removal from the sun (Bettelheim et al., 266). He then placed the glowing salts in an opaque photographic plate and placed a metal cutout between them. Consequently, Becquerel observed the formation of photographic images of the metal cutout. He also made similar observations upon using a coin. From these observations, Henri deduced that apart from emitting visible light, the materials must be producing images related to the X-rays that William Rontgen had earlier discovered in 1895 (Bettelheim et al., 266). To his surprise, Henri also realized that the uranium salts continued to give out the same penetrating radiations longer even after losing its solar energy or phosphorescence (Bettelheim et al., 266). Marie Curie later coined these observations as radioactivity and hence the discovery of radioactivity.
Definition of radioactivity
Further experiments on the properties of radioactive decay led to the identification of three radiations, namely alpha, beta, and gamma. These radiations were represented by the first three letters of the Greek alphabet, ά, β, and y, respectively (Bettelheim et al., 267). The radiations or particles were observed to have different penetration abilities. Illustratively, when radioactive material was put in a lead container with a small opening, and the radiation emitted allowed to pass between charged plates, three rays were realized (Bettelheim et al., 267). The first was the beta, β, rays, which deflected towards the positive plate. And for the notion that
opposite charges attract, the behavior of β rays showed that it consists of negatively charged particles. The second radiation was alpha, ά, which diverted towards the negative plate, suggesting that it contains positively charged particles (Bettelheim et al., 267). The third was gamma, y, rays, which showed no deflection when steamed between the charged plate hence specifying no charge. Correspondingly, radioactivity would be defined as the emission of electromagnetic rays or particles such as alpha, beta, and gamma, from the nucleus of a radioactive or unstable atom.
Nuclear medicine
The application of radioactive elements has significantly become a key contribution to nearly all areas of science. Nonetheless, these elements have proved more invaluable in the nuclear medicine domain. Since nuclear medicine specializes in radiology, the use of radioactive isotopes has demonstrated remarkable outcomes in diagnosing and treating diseases (Bettelheim et al., 282). Consequently, nuclear chemistry has been applied in various health sectors, such as medical imaging, MI, and radiation therapy. MI is the conventional aspect of nuclear medicine that aims at generating an image of the target tissue. Creating a useful picture in MI first requires a radioactive element in either compound or pure form concentrated on the tissue under imaging (Bettelheim et al., 282). Second, it calls for a procedure for distinguishing radiation from the radioactive source and noting its location and intensity. And third, it needs a system to scan the intensity-location data and modify it into a practical picture. Nevertheless, during imaging, a radioactive isotope is intravenously administered into the bloodstream, and a technician uses a detector to track the distribution of the radiation in the patient’s body.
On the other hand, in radiation therapy, radioactive isotopes are applied in the critical destruction of pathological tissues and cells in the body (Bettelheim et al., 286). And since all radiations are harmful to cells, ionizing radiations can destroy cells, particularly those that divide rapidly. This damage may consequently be sufficient to ravage diseased cells or transform their genes to slow down their replication (Bettelheim et al., 286). In most cases, cancerous cells are usually the key target for ionizing radiation. Precisely, this kind of radiation is often used when cancer is well localized or may be applied if the cells are spreading and are in a metastatic condition.
In a nutshell, Nuclear Chemistry includes nuclear processes, radioactivity, and transformations that occur in the nuclei of atoms. It informs on the application and production of radioactive sources and nuclear processes in none radioactive areas of development. Henri Becquerel discovered the process of radioactivity through his experiments on studying the properties of phosphorescent materials. Following his experiments and further researchers, radioactivity could be defined as to the emission of electromagnetic rays or particles such as alpha, beta, and gamma, from the nucleus of a radioactive or unstable atom. Besides, the application of radioactive elements has significantly become a key contribution to the nuclear medicine domain as far as radiation therapy, and medical imaging is concerned.