I was just thinking back to the old times of the summer of 2003. I had the opportunity to attend a class titled "Radiochemistry." Initially I was kind of dreading the experience. No Chemistry class has ever seemed "fun" to me. However, this was a different experience, the class was taught by someone who loved the subject. Because of this, he was able to show us how cool this stuff really is. Not only did I learn radiation chemistry, but alchemy as well. We learned how to change one substance into another. I can't imagine, anything that can beat that, scientifically anyway. I don't know why I thought of that, perhaps it's because I have to go and do some actual work, and the work has something to do with this stuff. A thought that does come to me often, is that a person can find something pretty cool about nearly anything they do. Have a good day.
Oh, and if you want to know what the title is referring to, drop me a line.
Isn't a nuclide a species of atom characterized by the constitution of its nucleus (specified by the number of protons , number of neutrons and energy content or, alternatively, by the atomic number, mass number and atomic mass)?
Furthermore, is it not true that to be regarded as a distinct nuclide, an atom must be capable of existing for a measurable time?
Okay, okay. I'm just messing with you.
Posted by: ron at January 16, 2004 08:42 AMA nuclide is in fact defined much in the way you described, "A type of atom specified by its atomic number, atomic mass, and energy state." I should have been more specific to my occupation. In my field we typically will call only Radioactive Isotopes of elements by "nuclide." I know that this is inconsistent with every definition out there, but there it is. By the way, I'm a lot more light hearted than this comment suggests.
Posted by: Mike at January 21, 2004 03:34 PM