These different variations are called isotopes. While every element is defined by the number of protons in the nucleus, the number of neutrons can vary. What nuclear reactions do happen in our bodies then? Radioactive decay! This is when elements spontaneously lose small particles. Since our bodies don’t have extra stomachs filled with plutonium, there are never fission reactions happening in our bodies. Furthermore, it takes specialized human-made elements like plutonium to get these reactions started. For starters, uranium is the only natural element on earth that can be used as reactor fuel. Like fusion reactions in the sun, it takes very specific conditions to sustain a nuclear reaction like this. Nuclear power plants take the element uranium and split it into lighter elements (such as cesium and rubidium), releasing energy in the process. Fissionįission reactions happen when the number of sub-atomic particles of an atom is reduced. So it’s pretty safe to say that there are no fusion reactions happening in our body. However, these nuclear fusion reactions can’t happen without the intense heat and pressure of a star. This reaction releases lots of energy, which we see and feel as light and heat. The intense heat and pressure inside stars like the sun make it possible to fuse nuclei together to make bigger, more massive atoms. Yep, the sun is constantly changing elements into different elements, and making a lot of energy in the process.
The easiest place to look for a nuclear reaction is straight up. Any time the number of these sub-atomic particles changes, it causes a nuclear reaction. The protons and neutrons of an atom are located together in the middle (or nucleus) of the atom. Mix the water and sugar together and you are well on your way to a cake. 12 hydrogen, 6 carbon, and 6 oxygen? Now you have sugar. The number of protons in an atom defines what type of element the atom is.įamiliar elements (like oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, or nitrogen) can be mixed together to form more complex things. But what are atoms made of? Atoms are made of electrons, protons, and neutrons. While nuclear reactions and radioactivity won't give you super powers, some types of nuclear reactions do happen regularly in your body! (Image modified from freesvg and Wikipedia) There are many types of nuclear reactionsĮverything we are familiar with in our lives are composed of atoms. To understand these nuclear reactions all depends on what we are talking about when we say nuclear reaction. Mostly, the nuclear reactions are too few and too weak to even interact with our biology.īut it might be a surprise that there are nuclear reactions happening all the time.
Unfortunately our radioactivity doesn’t give us superhero x-ray vision or anything. Yes! There are plenty of nuclear reactions happening in our bodies all the time!
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