Ernest Rutherford

Ancient history. Elements of what became physics were drawn primarily from the fields of astronomy, optics, and mechanics, which were methodologically united through the study of geometry. These mathematical disciplines began in antiquity with the Babylonians and with Hellenistic writers such as Archimedes and Ptolemy.

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam – Wikipedia.

Although tension with Pakistan was later a contributing factor to India’s nuclear weapons program, it was actually conflict with China that first prompted India to build an atomic bomb. In October 1962, war broke out between the two countries over a disagreement regarding the Himalayan border.

Henri Becquerel

Nuclear physics is an important pursuit because the study of the nucleus of the atom is at the heart of our ability to understand the universe. Nuclear physics and its applications fuel our economic vitality, and make the world and our lives safer and healthier.

Some of the most pervasive applications of nuclear physics are in medicine. Medical imaging techniques now widely used, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), provide information in three dimensions about the structure and biochemical activity of the human interior.

Most employers will expect you to have a degree in physics, applied physics or a related science or engineering subject. You may also need a relevant postgraduate qualification such as an MSc, MPhil or PhD.

X-rays, MRI scanners, CAT scans, and ultrasound each use nuclear science and technology to troubleshoot different parts of the body and diagnose conditions. More advanced nuclear medicine uses computers, detectors, and radioisotopes to give doctors even more information about a patient’s internal workings.

Safety in nuclear medicine As a result, nuclear medicine and imaging procedures are considered non-invasive and relatively safe. Their effectiveness in diagnosing disease means that the benefits normally outweigh the risks. Treatment with nuclear medicine involves larger doses of radioactive material.

Nuclear medicine uses radiation to provide information about the functioning of a person’s specific organs, or to treat disease. In some cases radiation can be used to treat diseased organs, or tumours. Five Nobel Laureates have been closely involved with the use of radioactive tracers in medicine.

There are a number of other beneficial uses for nuclear technology in addition to creating electricity. These range from agriculture to medical, and space exploration to water desalination. In many parts of the world, agricultural workers use radiation to prevent harmful insects from reproducing.

Nuclear energy is energy in the core of an atom Atoms themselves are made up of three particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons. In nuclear fission, atoms are split apart, which releases energy. All nuclear power plants use nuclear fission, and most nuclear power plants use uranium atoms.

The Sun is a main-sequence star, and, as such, generates its energy by nuclear fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium. In its core, the Sun fuses 620 million metric tons of hydrogen and makes 616 million metric tons of helium each second.

Nuclear energy now provides about 10% of the world’s electricity from about 440 power reactors. Nuclear is the world’s second largest source of low-carbon power (29% of the total in 2018). Over 50 countries utilise nuclear energy in about 220 research reactors.

The world’s biggest energy-producing countries: Top ten by nuclear capacity

• United States – 98.2GW.
• France – 63.1GW.
• China – 47.5GW.
• Japan – 32GW.
• Russia – 28.5GW.
• South Korea – 23.2GW.
• Canada – 13.6GW.
• Ukraine – 13.1GW.

1 kg of uranium will create kWh of power!

Nuclear power plants are expensive to build but relatively cheap to run. In many places, nuclear energy is competitive with fossil fuels as a means of electricity generation. If the social, health and environmental costs of fossil fuels are also taken into account, the competitiveness of nuclear power is improved.