http://www.ck12.org Chapter 25. Nuclear Physics
CHAPTER
25 Nuclear Physics
Chapter Outline
25.1 The Nucleus
25.2 RADIOACTIVEHALF-LIFE
25.3 NUCLEARFISSION ANDFUSION
25.4 COSMICRAYS
25.5 THESTANDARDMODEL
25.6 REFERENCES
FIGURE 25.1
Positron emission tomography, or PET
scan, of a patient undergoing treatment.Positron emission tomography, or PET scan, helps diagnose patients by tracking the movement of mildly radioactive
material injected into the patient. It is one of a many techniques using nuclear properties to diagnose and treat
disease. Many people consider all nuclear applications dangerous, but this is often based on misunderstanding. This
chapter covers structure of the nucleus, nuclear forces, radioactive half-life, fission and fusion, and the Standard
Model.