A nuclear reaction involves changes within the nucleus of an atom, leading to the release of energy and often the emission of various particles, including electromagnetic radiation. This radiation can encompass a range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with gamma rays being a particularly common form.
Here’s a breakdown of how nuclear reactions can be sources of electromagnetic radiation:
- Nuclear Fission: When the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into smaller nuclei, it releases a significant amount of energy. A significant portion of this energy is emitted as gamma rays, which are high-energy photons within the electromagnetic spectrum. Nuclear power plants and atomic bombs harness fission reactions.
- Nuclear Fusion: When the nuclei of lighter atoms combine to form a heavier nucleus, it also releases energy. In stars like our Sun, nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy, including a range of electromagnetic radiation from infrared light to ultraviolet light, and even gamma rays.
- Radioactive Decay: Unstable atomic nuclei undergo decay and change their composition to reach a more stable state. During this process, they can release charged particles (like alpha or beta particles), neutrinos, and often gamma rays.
Key Points
- Spectrum of Radiation: Nuclear reactions can produce electromagnetic radiation across a wide range of frequencies, but gamma rays are particularly common and known for their high penetrating power.
- Energy Release: The high amount of energy released during nuclear reactions translates to high-frequency, highly energetic electromagnetic radiation.
- Natural and Artificial Sources: Nuclear reactions naturally occur in stars and through radioactive decay processes. They can also be artificially induced in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons.
| Light sources | Emission mechanism | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIGHT-EMITTING PROCESS | |||
| Luminescence | Light emission due to the excitation of electrons in a material. | Electrons within a material gain energy and then release light as they return to a lower energy state. | Bioelectroluminescence Electroluminescence Photoluminescence - Fluorescence - Phosphorescence Sonoluminescence Thermoluminescence |
| Blackbody radiation (Type of thermal radiation) | Electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) emitted by any object with a temperature above absolute zero. | Electromagnetic radiation (including visible light) emitted by any object with a temperature above absolute zero. | All objects above temperature of absolute zero. |
| Chemiluminescence | Light from natural and artificial chemical reactions. | Light from natural and artificial chemical reactions. | Bioluminescence Chemiluminescent reactions: - Luminol reactions - Ruthenium chemiluminescence |
| Nuclear reaction | Light emission as a byproduct of nuclear reactions (fusion or fission). | Light emitted as a byproduct of nuclear reactions. | Nuclear reactors Stars undergoing fusion |
| Thermal radiation | Light emission due to the thermal excitation of atoms and molecules at high temperatures. | Light emission due to the thermal excitation of atoms and molecules. | Sun Stars Incandescent light bulbs |
| Triboluminescence | Light emission due to mechanical stress applied to a material. | Light emission due to the mechanical stress applied to a material, causing the movement of electric charges and subsequent light emission. | Sugar crystals cracking Adhesive tape peeling Quartz crystals fracturing. |
| Natural light source | |||
| Fireflies Deep-sea creatures Glowing mushrooms | Bioluminescence | Light emission from biological organisms. | Involves the luciferase enzyme. |
| Sun Stars | Nuclear Fusion | Light emission as a byproduct of nuclear fusion reactions in stars. | Electromagnetic spectrum (visible light, infrared, ultraviolet). |
| Fire Candles | Thermal radiation | Light emission due to the thermal excitation of atoms and molecules during the combustion of a fuel source. | Burning of a fuel source, releasing heat and light. |
| Artificial light source | |||
| Fluorescent lights Highlighters Safety vests | Chemiluminescence | Light emission from chemical reactions. | Fluorescence (absorption and re-emission of light). |
| Glow sticks Emergency signs | Chemiluminescence | Light emission due to phosphorescence - a type of chemiluminescence. | A type of chemiluminescence where light emission is delayed after the initial excitation. |
| Glow sticks Light sticks | Chemiluminescence | Chemiluminescence | Light emission from a chemical reaction that does not involve combustion. |
| Tungsten light bulbs Toasters | Thermal radiation | Heated filament radiates light and heat. | Light emission from a hot filament. |
| Fluorescent lamps LED lights | Electroluminescence | Excitation of atoms by electric current. | Light emission when electric current excites atoms in a material. |
| Neon signs | Electrical Discharge | Discharge of electricity through gas. | Light emission when electricity flows through a gas. |
| Sugar crystals cracking Pressure-sensitive adhesives | Triboluminescence | Light emission from friction or pressure. | Light emission due to mechanical forces. |
| Fluorescent paint Highlighters Safety vests | Photoluminescence | Absorption and subsequent re-emission of light at a lower energy. | Absorption and re-emission of light. |
Light Sources: Mechanism, examples, and everyday applications
Footnote: Cerenkov radiation and Synchrotron radiation are not included in the table because they are not conventionally classified as light sources.
- A nuclear reaction involves changes within the nucleus of an atom, leading to the release of energy and often the emission of various particles, including electromagnetic radiation. This radiation can encompass a range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with gamma rays being a particularly common form.
- Here’s a breakdown of how nuclear reactions can be sources of electromagnetic radiation:
-
- Nuclear Fission: When the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into smaller nuclei, it releases a significant amount of energy. A significant portion of this energy is emitted as gamma rays, which are high-energy photons within the electromagnetic spectrum. Nuclear power plants and atomic bombs harness fission reactions.
- Nuclear Fusion: When the nuclei of lighter atoms combine to form a heavier nucleus, it also releases energy. In stars like our Sun, nuclear fusion releases large amounts of energy, including a range of electromagnetic radiation from infrared light to ultraviolet light, and even gamma rays.
- Radioactive Decay: Unstable atomic nuclei undergo decay and change their composition to reach a more stable state. During this process, they can release charged particles (like alpha or beta particles), neutrinos, and often gamma rays.