Radioactivity - Chemistry (Undergraduate Foundation)

This course provides a complete introduction to radioactivity and nuclear chemistry. It covers the principles of radioactive disintegration, the different types of decay, and the concept of half-life. The material also introduces the powerful processes of nuclear fission and fusion, and explores the practical uses of radioisotopes. An understanding of radioactivity is essential in the modern world. These principles are the foundation of nuclear power generation, medical imaging techniques like PET scans, and carbon dating in archaeology and geology. This knowledge is critical for applications in medicine, energy production, and environmental science. By the end of this course, you will be able to describe the process of radioactive disintegration and identify the different types of nuclear radiation. You will also be able to explain the concepts of nuclear fission and fusion and describe the key applications of radioisotopes in medicine and industry. This course is for students who have a solid foundation in atomic theory. It is a mandatory course for any student of nuclear engineering or health physics and provides essential knowledge for students of chemistry, physics, and medicine.

Payment required for enrolment
Enrolment valid for 12 months
This course is also part of the following learning track. You may join the track to gain comprehensive knowledge across related courses.
[NUC Core] CHM 101: General Chemistry I
[NUC Core] CHM 101: General Chemistry I
This learning track delivers the complete NUC CCMAS curriculum for General Chemistry I. It is a comprehensive programme designed to build a robust, university-level foundation in modern chemistry. The track systematically covers all essential topics, from atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the states of matter, to the quantitative principles of stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics. This programme is for first-year undergraduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculties who are required to take CHM 101. It is also essential for any student or professional globally who needs a rigorous and complete foundation in first-year university chemistry for further study or career development. This track delivers a full skill set in chemical theory and quantitative problem-solving. Graduates will be able to determine molecular structures, calculate reaction quantities, analyse the energetics and rates of reactions, and solve complex equilibrium problems. This programme provides the non-negotiable prerequisite knowledge for all subsequent chemistry courses and for any degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or medicine.

This learning track delivers the complete NUC CCMAS curriculum for General Chemistry I. It is a comprehensive programme designed to build a robust, university-level foundation in modern chemistry. The track systematically covers all essential topics, from atomic theory, chemical bonding, and the states of matter, to the quantitative principles of stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics. This programme is for first-year undergraduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculties who are required to take CHM 101. It is also essential for any student or professional globally who needs a rigorous and complete foundation in first-year university chemistry for further study or career development. This track delivers a full skill set in chemical theory and quantitative problem-solving. Graduates will be able to determine molecular structures, calculate reaction quantities, analyse the energetics and rates of reactions, and solve complex equilibrium problems. This programme provides the non-negotiable prerequisite knowledge for all subsequent chemistry courses and for any degree in the physical sciences, engineering, or medicine.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction
1

This chapter provides the roadmap for the course. It introduces radioactivity as the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy, and outlines the key topics of nuclear decay, fission, and fusion. Key learning objectives include: understanding the overall course structure and appreciating the role of nuclear chemistry in energy, medicine, and science.

Chapter lessons

1-1. Welcome

This lesson provides a brief overview of the course, outlining the key topics of radioactive disintegration, nuclear reactions, and the uses of radioisotopes.

2. Radioactive Disintegration
3
4

This chapter covers the fundamental principles of radioactive decay. It details the common types of nuclear radiation and introduces the quantitative laws that govern the rate of decay. Key learning objectives include: identifying alpha, beta, and gamma radiation; balancing nuclear equations; and using the concept of half-life to perform decay calculations.

Chapter lessons

2-1. Nuclear stability

This lesson explains the concept of nuclear stability and why certain isotopes are radioactive, introducing the 'band of stability'.

2-2. Types of radiation

This lesson defines the three main types of radioactive decay: alpha decay, beta decay, and gamma emission, detailing the properties of each.

2-3. Half-life

This lesson introduces the concept of half-life as the time required for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.

3. Nuclear Reactions
3

This chapter introduces the powerful processes of nuclear fission and fusion. It covers the principles behind these energy-releasing reactions and their major applications. Key learning objectives include: defining and differentiating between nuclear fission and fusion; and describing the key applications of radioisotopes in medicine and industry.

Chapter lessons

3-1. Nuclear fission

This lesson defines nuclear fission as the process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a very large amount of energy.

3-2. Nuclear fusion

This lesson defines nuclear fusion as the process where two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles.

3-3. Uses of radioisotopes

This lesson explores the practical applications of radioisotopes, including their use as tracers in medical imaging, in radiation therapy, and for industrial purposes.

4. Conclusion
2

This concluding chapter summarises the key concepts of nuclear chemistry. It reinforces the understanding of radioactive decay and the principles of nuclear reactions. This summary finalises the CHM 101 curriculum, providing the student with a complete foundation in first-year university chemistry.

Chapter lessons

4-1. Course summary

This lesson consolidates knowledge by reviewing the types of radioactive decay, the concept of half-life, and the principles of fission and fusion.

4-2. End of track

This final lesson provides a summary of the entire CHM 101 learning track and offers guidance on the subsequent courses for which the student is now prepared.