Nuclear and Particle Physics

Nuclear and Particle Physics is the branch of physics that studies the structure, properties, and behavior of atomic nuclei and the fundamental particles that constitute all matter and radiation. It investigates the interactions between protons and neutrons, governed by the strong nuclear force, which explains phenomena like radioactivity, nuclear fission, and fusion. This field also delves deeper to identify the ultimate elementary particles, such as quarks and leptons, and the fundamental forces that govern their interactions, all of which are systematically cataloged within the framework of the Standard Model.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a physical phenomenon in which atomic nuclei with a property called spin, when placed in a strong magnetic field, absorb and re-emit electromagnetic radiation at a specific resonance frequency. This frequency is exquisitely sensitive to the local chemical environment, as the electrons surrounding a nucleus slightly alter the magnetic field it experiences. By detecting these subtle frequency shifts, NMR spectroscopy becomes an indispensable tool for determining the detailed three-dimensional structure and dynamics of molecules in chemistry and biology, and the same principle forms the basis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a powerful non-invasive diagnostic tool in medicine.