LVACS January 14, 2021 Webinar and Virtual Section Meeting: Radiochemistry 101

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Date / Time: January 14, 2021 / 7:00-8:30 pm
Location: Online [recorded version: https://youtu.be/i_CXrMiPGCc ]
Bob Artz, ACS Emeritus Member, Speaker
“Radiochemistry 101: Basic Concepts and Terminology, Historical Perspective and Dispelling a Few Myths”
Bob Artz, a graduate of Kutztown University and a former instructor at LCCC, used his extensive background in the nuclear energy field (Oyster Creek Power Station in South Jersey) to take us on a fascinating journey through the development of the fundamental science behind radioactivity, nuclear reactions and nuclear energy production. We learned about the early contributions of Marie Skłodowska Curie and many others in the early 20th century to the new sciences of radiochemistry, nuclear particles and nuclear stability then saw how those basic concepts were applied to
controlling nuclear fission reactions and to the construction of nuclear reactors by Enrico Fermi and colleagues. Along the way, we uncovered the roots of some common terminology (and a few misconceptions) about nuclear energy and, finally, looked at gamma spectroscopy and how it is used to safeguard operation of today’s nuclear power plants. Bob also quizzed the group on our basic understanding of radiochemistry – he found some scintillated more than others!