Advanced Topics
In a nutshell: Atomic and nuclear physics explain the behavior of atoms and the power of nuclear energy.
## Exploring the Smallest Building Blocks
Atomic and nuclear physics study how atoms work and what happens when their nuclei change.
### Key Topics
- **Structure of the Atom**: Protons, neutrons, electrons.
- **Radioactivity**: Alpha, beta, gamma decay.
- **Nuclear Reactions**: Fission, fusion, and their energy.
### Practical Sides
- PET scans use positron emission.
- Cancer treatments often use radiation.
### MCAT Emphasis
Understand how to balance nuclear equations and the basics of radioactive decay.
Examples
- Interpreting the results of a radioactive tracer in medicine.
- Calculating half-life in a nuclear decay problem.
Key terms
- Isotope
- Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.
- Half-life
- Time required for half a radioactive sample to decay.