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Physics

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Quick fact

The 'nuclear' in NMR scared patients in the 1970s, so the medical application was renamed 'magnetic resonance imaging' (MRI) to avoid association with radioactivity—yet NMR itself involves no ionizing radiation.

Why this is interesting

Every atom's nucleus spins like a tiny top, and when placed in a strong magnetic field, it can absorb and re-emit radio waves. How can this simple behavior reveal the hidden structure of molecules—and even create detailed images of your brain?