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A recipient of the
PROSE 2017 Honorable Mention in Chemistry & Physics,
Radioactivity: Introduction and History, From the Quantum to Quarks, Second Edition provides a greatly expanded overview of radioactivity from natural and artificial sources on earth, radiation of cosmic origins, and an introduction to the atom and its nucleus. The book also includes historical accounts of the lives, works, and major achievements of many famous pioneers and Nobel Laureates from 1895 to the present.
These leaders in the field have contributed to our knowledge of the science of the atom, its nucleus, nuclear decay, and subatomic particles that are part of our current knowledge of the structure of matter, including the role of quarks, leptons, and the bosons (force carriers).
Users will find a completely revised and greatly expanded text that includes all new material that further describes the significant historical events on the topic dating from the 1950s to the present.
List of contents
1. Radioactivity and Our Well-Being2. Basic Concepts and Definitions3. Hall of Fame: Part I4. Alpha Radiation5. Hall of Fame: Part II6. Beta Radiation and Beta Decay7. Hall of Fame: Part III8. Electromagnetic Radiation: Photons9. Hall of Fame: Part IV10. Neutron Radiation11. Hall of Fame: Part V12. Atomic Electron Radiation13. Hall of Fame: Part VI14. Cosmic Radiation15. Hall of Fame: Part VII16. Cherenkov Radiation17. Hall of Fame: Part VIII18. Radionuclide Decay, Radioactivity Units, and Radionuclide Mass19. Hall of Fame: Part IX20. The Atomic Nucleus21. Hall of Fame: Part X22. The Atom as We Know and Use It
About the author
Michael F. L'Annunziata earned his PhD degree in 1970 at the University of Arizona. His thesis research in the 1960s under contract with the then-US Atomic Energy Commission dealt with the analysis of radionuclides and chemical remediation of the environment in the event of fission product fallout from nuclear war. L'Annunziata was formerly Head of Fellowships and Training at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria; and he has served as a representative and lecturer for the IAEA on peaceful applications of nuclear energy for development in over 40 countries of the world from 1976-2007 and currently a private consultant in radioactivity analysis. Michael is the recipient of the 2022 Arthur Holly Compton Award in Education granted by the American Nuclear Society.
