- #1
DnD Addict
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The difference between a nuclear physicist and nuclear chemist is...what?
The difference between a nuclear physicist and nuclear chemist is
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Discussion Overview
The discussion centers around the differences between nuclear physicists and nuclear chemists, exploring their roles, the terminology used, and the nature of their work. It includes conceptual clarifications and personal insights rather than definitive conclusions.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification, Exploratory
Main Points Raised
- Some participants humorously assert that nuclear physicists are "much better people," indicating a subjective view rather than a factual distinction.
- One participant expresses confusion about the role of nuclear chemists, suggesting that the term "nuclear chemistry" seems contradictory.
- Another participant proposes that fields of chemistry involving isotopes should be considered nuclear chemistry, even if they are officially termed differently.
- A participant questions the commonality of the term "nuclear chemist," suggesting that "radiochemist" might be more accurate for those who handle radioactive materials.
- One participant provides an example of a nuclear chemistry experiment involving heavy ion fusion and the handling of reaction products, illustrating a practical aspect of nuclear chemistry.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the terminology and roles associated with nuclear physicists and nuclear chemists. There is no consensus on the definitions or the commonality of the terms used.
Contextual Notes
There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of "nuclear chemist" and "radiochemist," as well as the scope of what constitutes nuclear chemistry versus other fields of chemistry.
- #2
fatra2
- 475
- 1
Nuclear physicist are much, much, much, much better people 
- #3
arivero
Gold Member
- 3,484
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I have never seen a nuclear physicist to elaborate uranium hexafluoride and survive.
- #4
Raghnar
- 41
- 1
fatra2 said:Nuclear physicist are much, much, much, much better people
oh thank you
I don't have idea of what a nuclear chemist does... :D
Even the word "nuclear (to do with nuclei) chemistry (to do with atoms and molecules)" seems an oxymoron to me :P
- #5
arivero
Gold Member
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Raghnar said:oh thank you
I don't have idea of what a nuclear chemist does... :D
Guessing, I'd say that any field of chemistry with isotopes do matter (eg, D2O vs H2O) should be labeled as "nuclear chemistry" even if the official name is "isotopical research" or something bored. Also I guess that if radiative elements are involved, even before worrying about isotopes, then a chemistry procedures will be somehow different from the usual.
- #6
f95toli
Science Advisor
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I don't think the term "nuclear chemist" is very common, I suspect you are thinking of "radiochemist".
They are basically chemists who specialize in handling (purifying, alloying etc) radioactive materials (one of my lecturers when I was an undergrad was a radiochemist, his lab was literally a cave under the physics department).
They are basically chemists who specialize in handling (purifying, alloying etc) radioactive materials (one of my lecturers when I was an undergrad was a radiochemist, his lab was literally a cave under the physics department).
Last edited:
- #7
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I think the term "nuclear chemist" is reasonably common, although maybe not as common as it used to be...?
As an example of a nuclear chemistry experiment, let's say you do a heavy ion fusion reaction at an accelerator, the reaction product being a superheavy element. The product recoils out of the target, you whisk it away with a gas jet, and you try to react it with some chemical and observe the result before it can undergo beta decay.
As an example of a nuclear chemistry experiment, let's say you do a heavy ion fusion reaction at an accelerator, the reaction product being a superheavy element. The product recoils out of the target, you whisk it away with a gas jet, and you try to react it with some chemical and observe the result before it can undergo beta decay.
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