Nuclear decay and fusion dynamics constitute central pillars in modern nuclear physics, with implications ranging from energy production and astrophysical phenomena to the synthesis of novel elements.

Gold and other heavy elements are born in some of the universe’s most violent events—but scientists still struggle to understand the nuclear steps that create them. Now, nuclear physicists have ...

Because the nuclei involved are extremely rare and short-lived, scientists usually rely on theoretical models rather than ...

In contrast to classical physics, multi-particle decay is a phenomenon unique to the quantum world. Magnesium-18 exemplifies such an exotic system, positioned far from the dripline. Spitting out ...

Outdone only by nuclear fusion, the process of nuclear fission releases enormous amounts of energy. The ‘spicy rocks’ that are at the core of both natural and artificial fission reactors are generally ...

In recent years, some large physics experiments worldwide have been trying to gather evidence of a nuclear process known as neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. This is a rare process that entails ...

In this lesson, students will simulate the randomness of decay in radioactive atoms and visualize the half-life of a sample radioactive element. This lesson can be completed in two (2) 45-minute class ...

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com. “What is radium and why is it dangerous?” – ...