Please describe it.
What is Nuclear Physics ?
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05-Jun-2019
Updated on 26-Feb-2025
Khushi Singh
26-Feb-2025Nuclear physics examines how atomic nuclei behave and work using scientific methods. It studies how particles inside the nucleus including protons and neutrons connect through the strong nuclear force under diverse situations. This research area provides scientists basic knowledge about matter and energy behavior at nuclear particle levels.
Research into different nuclear processes stands as the top priority in nuclear physics work. When a heavy nucleus splits it produces smaller nuclei along with energy that powers nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Under nuclear fusion light elements combine to make heavier atoms while the Sun and stars use this reaction to operate. Scientists are discovering ways to use nuclear reactions for their power while producing unlimited renewable energy.
Nuclear physics shows great use in multiple areas of knowledge. Radiation therapy relies on medical applications of nuclear physics and these techniques use it to create images when treating cancer. Nuclear reactors supply a large share of electric power through their energy production process. The power of this physics branch assists scientists to explore how stars change form and how supernova happen while explaining the origin of atomic elements inside the universe. Nuclear physics serves multiple important tasks for national security purposes and helps scientists discover ancient details while working both on Earth and in space.
The progress of different scientific spheres depends on nuclear physics research which keeps this topic at the forefront of modern physics.