Nuclear chemistry

Hi there! So, do you know what atoms are? Atoms are tiny particles that make up everything around us, like air, water, and even you!

Now, some atoms have a really big nucleus, which is like the center of the atom. That's where all of the protons and neutrons hang out.

In nuclear chemistry, we study what happens when the nucleus of an atom changes. Sometimes, a nucleus can split apart into two smaller pieces, and this is called nuclear fission.

When this happens, a lot of energy is released - this is how nuclear power plants make electricity. But, the energy can also be used for bad things, like making nuclear bombs.

On the other hand, sometimes two smaller nuclei can join together to form a bigger one, and this is called nuclear fusion. This is what powers the sun and other stars.

Nuclear chemistry helps us understand how all of this works, and how we can use it safely for our benefit. Pretty cool, huh?