SUBTOPIC :

U N D E R S TA N D I N G T H E U S E S O F R ADIOAC TIVITY

1.FUNDEMENTAL OF RADIOISOTOPES
Isotopes that are not stable and through radioactive today are known as radioisotopes. Table below shows several examples of radioisotopes together

with their nuclide notations and their stable isotopes.

Stable isotope Carbon-12 Sodium-23 Nuclide notation
12 6 23 11 59 27 207 82

Radioisotopes Carbon-14 Sodium-24

Nuclide notation
14 6 24 11 60 27 210 82

C Na

C Na

Cobalt-59
Lead-207

Co
Pb

Cobalt-60
Lead-210

Co
Pb

 Radioisotopes exist naturally. Examples of such radioisotopes are uranium-238 ,

radium-226
Artificial radioisotopes are manufactured mainly by irradiating substances with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. They can also be

manufactured by bombarding a stable nucleus with high-energy

particles such as protons or neutrons. For example, the radioisotope sodium-24 is produced when a magnesium nucleus is bombarded by a neutron.

2.APPLICATION OF RADIOISOTOPES IN VA R I O U S F I E L D S MEDICAL 1.As a tracer Phosporous-32 is used to detect suspected brain tumours before they become dangerous. Iodine-131 is added to the human body to study its uptake by the thyroid gland.
Figure show the trace of the throid glands using iodine-131

2. Radiotherapy Gamma rays emmitted by cobalt-60 can be used to kill the cancer cells. In order to prevent healthy cells from being destroyed , the cobalt-60 source is rotated in a circle with the cancer cells positioned at the

centre of the circle so that they can receive the

maximum amount of radiation. The healthy cells will only receive a minimum amount of radiation and thus preventing them from being destroyed.
Gamma rays emmited by cobalt60 to kill cancer cells.

3. Sterilisation Gamma rays emitted from cobalt-60 can be used to sterilise bandages, dressings, syringes and other equipment that must be germ-free Sterilisation by exposure to gamma rays is quicker, more reliable and

cheaper than sterilisation by heat.

 AG R I C U LT U R E

1. As a tracer To determine the amount of fertiliser required for a crop. Radioactive phosphorous-32 is added to the fertiliser and its rate of uptake by the plant can be determined using a G-M counter. 2. As a preservation agent. Fruits and foodstuff are irradiated to increase their shelf-life . Potatoes treated with low doses of radiation can be prevented from sprouting.

3. As a mutating agent Gamma rays are used to produce new species of plants.

This is done by controlled exposure of the seeds to small doses of

gamma rays so that the cells in the seeds can undergo mutation. This process may produce species which are more resistant . 4. As a sterilising agent Radioisotopes are used to control pests. Male insects are bred and irradiated to sterilise them. These sterilised males are then released to breed as usual but

without any offspring.

 ARCHAELOGY

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contains two isotopes. The common stable
carbon-12 and the rare radioactive carbon-14. Living plants absorb and give out carbon dioxide. This causes the percentage of carbon-14 present in the plant tissues to remain constant. When a plant dies, the carbon-14 trapped in it decays by beta emission with a halflife of 5730 years. By measuring the activity of carbon-14 in archaeological samples and comparing it to the activity of living organisms, the age of the sample can be determined fairly precisely

 This method is called carbon dating is used by archaeologist to determine the age of ancient remains such as fossils.

 INDUSTRIES

1. Thickness control Radioisotopes are used to control the thickness of materials such as plastic and metal sheet while they are being manufactured.

2. Examining the contents of canned substances The contents of a substances can be examined using a beta particle source. If the level of radiation detected by the G-M counter is low, it means that the contents in the tin is too much.

If the level of radiation detected by the G-M counter is high, it

means that the contents in the tin is too little.

3. Tracing leakages in pipes To detect leakages of pipes laid underground, a little radioactive sodium-24 is dissolved in the water that flows in the pipes.

A G-M counter is then moved over the pipes according to the layout plan of
the underground pipes. The area that shows unusually high level of radiation would indicate the position where the leakage takes place. Sodium-24 is used in the process because i. Sodium-24 has a very short half-life and thus , loses its radioactivity in a short period of time

ii.

Sodium-24 emits beta particles which have a relatively low level of

penetration power.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Which statement is not a use of radioactive substance? A. To determine the leak in underground pipes B. To determine the age of piece of ancient wood C. To kill cancer cells D. To determine the sex of a foetus

2. When a nucleus is unstable,

A. It ionises the surrounding air B. It emits all types of radiations C. It breaks up into pieces D. It decays

3. Two atoms have the same number of protons but different number of nucleons. Which of the following are similar to both the atoms? A. their physical properties B. Their number of neutrons C. Their number of electrons D. Their mass

4. Beta particles can be detected using a A. Spark counter B. Geiger- Muller counter C. Gold leaf electroscope

5. What is the number of protons , neutrons and electrons in a helium nucleus? proton A B C 2 3 4 2 neutron 2 4 2 2 electron 2 2 2 0

6. The nuclide notation of a lithium atom is written as

7 3

Li . What are the number

of protons , nucleons and electrons in a neutral lithium atom ?

Number of protons A. B. 4 3

Number of nucleons 7 4

Number of electrons 3 7

C.
D.

4
3

3
7

4
3

7. What are isotopes?

A. Atoms which are radioactive B. Atoms with too many neutrons C. Atoms of the same element with different number of neutrons D. Atoms of the same element with different number of protons

8. The radioactivity radiation used in radiotherapy in the treatment for cancer is A. Beta ray B. Alpha ray C. Gamma ray D. X-ray

9.Which of the following is not one of the uses of radioactives substances?

A. To develop photographs B. To sterilise medical equipment C. To determine the age of fossils D. To preserve foods

10. Which radio isotopes can be used to treat cancer in radiotherapy? A. Iodine -131

B. Cobalt-60
C. Carbon-14 D. Uranium-238

THE END