Among the basic fundamental sciences of nature, the dominant place undoubtedly belongs to physics. Physical bodies surround us, physical phenomena occur around us , and we ourselves are part of this endless process. The versatility of this field of knowledge is difficult to overestimate, as it is difficult to indicate the limits of its distribution. Almost all living and nonliving matter can be explained by its laws, and this is surprising. But perhaps the largest number of mysteries and discoveries is fraught with nuclear physics.
The history of appearance and the specifics of the profession
Who is a nuclear physicist, what is this profession? To answer such questions, one should return to the past, to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the atom was discovered, and scientists determined the
structure of the atomic nucleus. Nuclear or atomic physics itself is one of the fields of this science, the subject of study of which is the atom, its structure and properties,
nuclear reaction, radioactive decays, and much more. The first kind of nuclear physicist, although there was no such term then, was the French scientist A. Becquerel. It was he who, continuing the experiments of the great X-ray, discovered radioactivity as a physical phenomenon. Other famous physicists and mathematicians - the Curie couple - continued their research, receiving polonium and radium. Rutherford made an invaluable contribution to the study of this phenomenon, defining for many years ahead the main paths of physical science.
The beginning, as they say, was laid. And the first half of the 20th century passed under the banner of studying the properties of the atom, atomic energy, its destructive and creative forces. The atomic nucleus, proton and neutron as its main components attracted the close attention of not only physicists, but also chemists, biologists, mathematicians, physicians, and technicians, which contributed to the emergence of new scientific branches and disciplines adjacent to the main one. And nuclear physics is gradually being transformed into an independent direction, consisting of such sections as:
- neutron;
- nuclear reactions;
- elementary particles;
- nuclear spectroscopy, etc.
Ultimately, in order to study how radiation affects the environment and humans, how to control thermonuclear reactions, what to do with nuclear waste, how to properly and safely operate nuclear power plants and various kinds of thermonuclear installations, the profession of physicist was “created” nuclear scientist.
The task of specialists is to identify errors and eliminate their root causes. The profession requires solid, solid knowledge and excellent theoretical and practical training from him. The competencies include, in addition to fundamental concepts, knowledge of the structure of reactors, the technology of their operation, the ability to diagnose, work with special devices and much more. It is a nuclear physicist who makes a conclusion about how a nuclear reactor is efficient and environmentally friendly. He decides to start the rector or stop, leave to work at the same pace or reboot.
Scope of application
The profession of nuclear physicist is in demand, first of all, in such high-tech industries as the work of nuclear power plants, in research and experimental laboratories, universities, etc.