Nuclide Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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nuclide
[ˈnjuːklaɪd ]
Definition
nuclear physics
A nuclide is a distinct species of atomic nucleus characterized by the number of protons and neutrons it contains. It can be stable or unstable, the latter leading to radioactive decay. Nuclides are often represented in notation, denoting their atomic mass and atomic number, providing information about their isotopic composition.
Synonyms
atomic species, isotope, nuclear species.
Examples of usage
- Carbon-14 is a well-known nuclide used in dating archaeological samples.
- The study of different nuclides helps in understanding nuclear reactions.
- Some nuclides have applications in medicine, particularly in cancer treatment.
- Uranium-238 is a common nuclide found in nature.
- The properties of various nuclides can be analyzed using mass spectrometry.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Nuclides are categorized into stable and unstable; stable ones do not change, while unstable ones can decay.
- Each element on the periodic table has several nuclides, but only certain ones occur naturally.
- The study of nuclides is essential in fields like nuclear medicine, radiation therapy, and energy production.
Pop Culture
- Films about radiation and atomic science, like 'The China Syndrome', often reference concepts related to nuclides.
- The presence of radioactive nuclides has fueled public interest in nuclear power and its potential dangers through movies and documentaries.
History
- The discovery of different nuclides was pivotal during the Manhattan Project, leading to the development of atomic bombs.
- Research on nuclides paved the way for advancements in atomic theory during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, revolutionizing chemistry.
Technology
- Modern technology relies on understanding nuclides for applications like powering nuclear reactors and developing medical imaging technologies like PET scans.
- Particle accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider explore the properties of various nuclides to study fundamental particles.
Origin of 'nuclide'
Main points about word origin
- The term 'nuclide' combines 'nucleus', meaning the center of an atom, and 'ide', indicating a type or kind.
- This word was first used in the early 20th century as scientists began to understand atomic theories better.
The term 'nuclide' was first introduced in the early 20th century, deriving from the Latin word 'nucleus,' meaning 'kernel' or 'core,' which reflects the central part of an atom. The suffix '-ide' is often used in chemistry to denote substances related to particular elements or compounds. As scientists explored atomic theory and nuclear physics, particularly throughout the development of quantum mechanics, the understanding of atomic structure became more sophisticated, leading to the necessity of distinguishing between different forms of atomic nuclei. The concept of nuclides, encompassing both isotopes of an element and entirely different elements with varying proton and neutron counts, became pivotal in the advancement of both theoretical and applied physics, particularly in nuclear energy, medicine, and various research fields. Over the decades, the classification and study of nuclides have been fundamental to advancements in our understanding of atomic interactions and stability.