Introduction

Nuclear chemistry represents a vital field of basic and applied research. Modern applications cover, for example, fundamental aspects of energetics and high-sensitive, high-selective and non-destructive analytical technologies. Nuclear chemistry and radiopharmaceutical chemistry are increasingly used to bridge pharmaceutical and medical research with state-of-the-art non-invasive molecular diagnosis as well as with patient-individual treatment. This volume I on Introduction to Nuclear Chemistry describes the origin of unstable atoms and their various primary and secondary pathways to stabilize. Volume II illustrates the spectrum of modern applications of nuclear and radiochemistry.

In various chapters, the present volume I addresses
- the structure of atoms and the nuclei of atoms,
- the transformation of unstable nuclei to more stable nucleon configurations,
- the mechanisms of the main transformation pathways and their kinetics,
- the character of the radiation emitted from these processes,
- the interaction of this radiation with condensed matter,
- and finally nuclear reaction processes to produce new nuclei.