Assignment No.

Applications of Nuclear
Chemistry In Our Daily Life
Name Reg. Number
Submitted By
Abdul Aziz L1F18BSCH7061

Subject Physical Chemistry

Submitted To Dr. Khalida Naseem

Assignment Applications of Nuclear Chemistry In Our Daily Life

Submission Date 27th March 2021.

Nuclear Chemistry:
It is a branch or sub-field of Chemistry in which we deal with the study of:

 Radioactivity
 Nuclear Processes
 And also discuss with the transformation in the nuclei of atoms which includes nuclear
transmutation.
Example:

Alpha decay is an Example or we say type of radioactive decay. In this type of decay when an
atomic nucleus emits an alpha particle it's mass number is decreased by “4” and it’s atomic number
decreased by “2”.
Application of nuclear Chemistry:

1-Electricity:
Nuclear Chemistry is very useful in many fields which also includes electricity
production. Uranium is used to produce electricity. During the production of electricity in plant
uranium is added in a reactor where uranium splits. After split of Uranium heat production occur and
water spins the turbine. That’s how electricity production occur in Nuclear power plants.
2-Nuclear Weapons:
When we talk about nuclear chemistry it is obvious that nuclear weapons
will also comes to our mind. Nuclear weapons like “Atomic Bomb or Hydrogen Bomb". Nuclear
“Fission” and “Fusion" both are used to create powerful nuclear weapons. A small atomic or
hydrogen bomb can cause powerful explosion and it can also demolish a large area. Remember when
these types of Bombs are used they release highly toxic radiations for those who survived after initial
blast.

3-Space Exploration:
Nuclear energy is also being used in generators to explore the deep space.

4-Food Treatments:
Nuclear energy processes are also being used within the field of
agriculture and food. Nuclear Processes are being used in these fields to make processes safe and
effective.
Example:
Many nuclear Processes are used in sterilization of agricultural field to reduce or
minimize the use or pesticides.
5-Crime Detection:
Nuclear energy is also used in crime detection. In crime detection we can
examine the trace amounts of Barium and Antimony of a gun from it's gunpowder. And this has been
proven that this process is 100-1000 times more sensitive than looking for the residue itself.
And now scientists are also able to identify or detect toxic elements in hairs by using neutron
activation analysis.

References:
 [https://web.archive.org/web/20070123030509/http://www.chemcas
es.com/nuclear/nc-03.htm Archived
 Decontamination of surfaces, George H. Goodall and Barry. E.
Gillespie, United States Patent 4839100
 Assuring a Future U.S.-Based Nuclear and Radiochemistry
Expertise. Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology. 2012.
ISBN 978-0-309-22534-2.