Radioactivity - Chemistry (Undergraduate Foundation)

Radioactivity powers our world, from nuclear energy plants to cancer treatment centres. This course reveals the invisible forces inside atomic nuclei that drive these technologies. You will explore radioactive decay, nuclear reactions, and the principles that govern how unstable atoms transform over time. This knowledge applies directly to medicine, energy production, and environmental science. Nuclear engineers use these principles to design safe reactors. Medical professionals apply radioisotopes for imaging and cancer therapy. Archaeologists rely on carbon dating to determine the age of ancient artifacts. Understanding radioactivity opens doors to careers in nuclear engineering, health physics, radiology, and industrial safety. By the end of this course, you will describe radioactive disintegration and identify alpha, beta, and gamma radiation; calculate half-life and decay rates for practical problems; explain nuclear fission and fusion processes; balance nuclear equations accurately; and recognise the applications of radioisotopes in medicine and industry. These skills form the foundation for advanced study in nuclear chemistry and related fields. This course targets undergraduate students in chemistry, physics, medicine, and engineering programmes. It suits secondary school leavers preparing for university entrance exams and professionals needing a refresher on nuclear concepts. Even if you do not specialise in science, this knowledge helps you understand radiation safety, medical procedures, and energy debates that affect daily life in Nigeria and beyond.

3 hrs

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.

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.

Course Chapters

1. Introduction

This opening chapter sets the foundation for your study of radioactivity. It introduces the course structure, explains what you will learn, and shows why nuclear chemistry matters in medicine, energy, and industry. You will understand the course objectives, recognise the scope of radioactive disintegration and nuclear reactions, identify key applications of radioisotopes, and prepare for the detailed topics ahead in nuclear chemistry.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

3:28

2. Radioactive Disintegration

This chapter examines why atomic nuclei become unstable and break down naturally. Understanding radioactive disintegration is fundamental to nuclear chemistry, radiation safety, and applications in medicine and energy. You will learn what makes certain atoms decay while others remain stable forever. You will learn to define radioactive disintegration, identify alpha beta and gamma radiation by their properties, explain factors that determine nuclear stability, recognise lesser-known radiation types, and balance nuclear equations for single and multiple decay processes.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

26:16

Problem Walkthroughs

1 Lesson

8:13

3. Kinetics of Radiation

This chapter examines the rate at which radioactive nuclei decay. Understanding decay kinetics is essential for calculating radiation doses, dating ancient materials, and managing nuclear waste safely. You will learn to apply the law of radioactive decay, calculate half-life and decay constants, solve problems involving activity and remaining nuclei, and interpret decay curves for practical applications.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

6:28

Problem Walkthroughs

1 Lesson

12:10

4. Nuclear Reactions

This chapter examines how nuclei transform to release enormous energy. Understanding these reactions is critical for nuclear power, weapons technology, and stellar physics. You will see why mass converts to energy and how this principle drives both fission reactors and fusion stars. You will learn to explain the mass-energy relation, differentiate between fission and fusion processes, describe the conditions required for each reaction type, and calculate energy changes from mass defects in nuclear equations.

Concept Overviews

4 Lessons

25:04

Problem Walkthroughs

1 Lesson

9:39

5. Conclusion

This chapter brings together all concepts from the course. It shows how radioactive materials apply in real-world settings beyond theory. Understanding these applications completes your foundation in nuclear chemistry. You will learn to identify practical uses of radioisotopes in medicine, industry, and archaeology; explain how radiation treats cancer and diagnoses disease; describe carbon dating methods for age determination; and recognise safety considerations when handling radioactive materials.

Concept Overviews

1 Lesson

10:54