Atom Smashing Secrets Revealed

Learn about the always wild, often wacky history of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, and anti-particles… and how this knowledge is applied for practical purposes, too.

Nuclear chemistry, or transmutation, is when one element changes into another element. Far from alchemy, nuclear chemistry is a real branch of modern science. Learn how atoms fall apart and fuse together, sometimes involving anti-particles. We’ll take a lighter approach to examining the science of heavy and unstable atoms. If you want to learn more about the unusual elements in the Periodic Table that aren’t typically discussed in a traditional chemistry class, then this course is for you!

There are four lessons, with short, entertaining assignments between each lesson. You don’t need to know too much about chemistry to enjoy this class. If you understand what are atoms, protons, neutrons, and electrons, then you will be prepared to participate in the interesting and thought-provoking discussions.

Are nuclear technologies and radiation good or bad? Well, it depends what you mean by “radioactive.” It turns out that everything is a little bit radioactive… including you! Seriously.