Tag: Radiation
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Ultraviolet Catastrophe
Introduction The Ultraviolet Catastrophe refers to a historical paradox in the theory of radiation of heated objects. This paradox resulted from the contradiction between the classical physics laws and experimental observations related to black body radiation at the end of the 19th century. Classical Predictions and the Problem According to the classical theory of electromagnetic…
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Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE)
Introduction The Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) is a crucial phenomenon in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, specifically used for the investigation of macromolecular structures and interactions. Basic Principles of NOE The NOE arises due to the magnetic interactions between different nuclear spins within a molecule in solution. When one nucleus is selectively irradiated, it can…
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Ionizing Radiation
Introduction Ionizing radiation refers to any form of radiation that has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from their atoms, thus creating ions. These types of radiation are largely hazardous due to their high energy and potential for biological damage. Types of Ionizing Radiation Ionizing radiation can be categorized into two main types: direct…
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Bremsstrahlung
Introduction Bremsstrahlung, German for “braking radiation,” is the electromagnetic radiation produced when a charged particle, such as an electron, is decelerated or deflected by another charged particle, such as an atomic nucleus. This phenomenon is a fundamental aspect of interactions between charged particles and is prevalent in fields such as nuclear physics, radiation therapy, and…
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Cerenkov Radiation
Introduction Cerenkov Radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted when a charged particle passes through a dielectric medium at a speed greater than the phase velocity of light in that medium. The charged particles polarize the molecules of that medium, creating a shockwave of electromagnetic radiation. Basics of Cerenkov Radiation The phenomenon is named after Pavel Alekseyevich…
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Heat
Introduction Heat is a form of energy that is transferred between systems or objects with different temperatures, flowing from the higher temperature system to the lower temperature one until equilibrium is reached. Heat and Thermodynamics In the context of thermodynamics, heat is described as the energy transferred across the boundary of a system due to…
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Radioactive Decay
Introduction Radioactive decay, also known as nuclear decay or radioactivity, is a spontaneous process in which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by emitting radiation. This can include alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, or other particles. Definition and Equation In radioactive decay, a parent nucleus transforms into a daughter nucleus and in the process…