Energy in radioactivity

The momentum imparted to a nucleus in a nuclear reaction with a charged particle or a fast neutron almost invariably is sufficient to result in the rupture of chemical bonds holding the atom in the molecule. The same is true for the recoil energy inq rted to a nucleus by the emission of an or-particle as well as in j3-decay, y-decay, etc. the recoil energies in radioactive decay are discussed in 4.3-4.S. 

They had demonstrated that it was possible not only to chip pieces off the nucleus, as Rutherford had done, but also to force it artificially to release some of its energy in radioactive decay. Joliot foresaw the potential consequences of that attack in his half of the joint Nobel Prize address. Given the progress of science, he said, we are entitled to think that scientists, building up or shattering elements at will, will be able to bring about... 

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