Essentials of Nuclear Chemistry

Presented in this book are theories of nuclear structure and stability, types of radioactivity and nuclear reactions, including fission and fusion, principles of nuclear reactor and elements of radiation chemistry. The preparations of the more important radioisotopes and their use in research, medicine, agriculture and industry are described. The section on nuclear magnetism has been revised and its application to NMR spectroscopy is explained in detail. Other important additions include a succinct account of the origin and evolutions of chemical elements, as exemplifying the earliest nuclear reactions in the Universe, an updating of the status of research on the thermonuclear fusions and of the Indian reactors including the Fast Breeding Test Reactor, and a brief description of the two billion year old nature's nuclear reactor, or the Oklo phenomenon. The primary product of radiolysis of water, the hydrated electron or the basic conjugate of the reducing species H, its formation and reactions as also certain novel redox reactions due to colour centres in irradiated crystals are described.