Photonuclear reactions

Photonuclear reactions occur when high-energy light, such as gamma rays, interacts with an atomic nucleus, causing it to change. Essentially, the nucleus absorbs the incoming photon’s energy, which can eject neutrons, protons, or other particles, altering the atom’s structure. These reactions are important in fields like nuclear physics and radiation therapy, helping us understand atomic behavior under energetic conditions. They also play a role in nuclear security and astrophysics, revealing processes that happen in stars and in nuclear materials exposed to intense radiation.