5.

3 UNDERSTANDING THE USES OF RADIOISOTOPES

1. Radioisotopes are unstable isotopes which decay and give out radioactive
emissions.

2. Sodium-22, Cobalt-60 and Carbon-14 are example of radioisotopes.

3. Radioisotopes have a wide range of applications including medicine,

agriculture, archaeology and industry.

Medicine Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine that uses radiation to provide

information about the function of the specific organs of a patient or to

treat disease. A radioisotope is taken in by the patient through the

digestive system, by inhalation or through the blood vessels by injection.

The radiation emitted enables organs such as the thyroid, bones, heart

or liver to be easily imaged by imaging equipment. Disorders in their

function can then be detected.

Agriculture Radioisotopes have many uses in the field of agriculture. By measuring

the radioactivity of the stem and leaves, scientists can find out how

much fertiliser has been absorbed by the plant.

Radioisotopes are also used to kill pests and parasites and to control

the ripening of fruits.

Archaeology The amount of carbon-14 left in a decayed plant or animal can be used

to tell its age. One of the most important uses of radioisotopes in

archaeology is carbon-14 dating. Carbon-14 is a radioisotope with a

half-life of 5730 years and decays by emitting a- particles.

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Industries Industries have found many uses for radioisotopes. γ-rays can be used

to penetrate deep into weldings to detect faults. Water can be made

radioactive by dissolving some radioactive salt which contains sodium-

24. The β-particles emitted are detected by a GM tube. The α-particles

from polonium-2l0 is used to neutralise static charge in photographic

plates and other materials.

Questions:

1. A company built five identical houses in different parts of the same

country. When a radioactivity count was carried out in each house, one of
them had a much higher reading than the others. What is most likely to be
the cause to this higher reading?

A the Sun’s radioactivity

B the time of year when the reading was taken
C a nuclear power station ten miles away from the house
D background radiation from rocks under the house

2. State 3 examples of the radioisotope and explain the uses in the medical
field.

3. Explain how the age of the ancient artifacts can be made using the
radioisotope.

Answers:

1. D The other three factors would affect all five houses equally.

2. i. Phosphorus-32 is used to detect the brain tumour.

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 ii. Iodine-131 is used as a tracer in the body to examine thyroid
glands.

iii. Cobalts-60 (gamma ray) can be used to kill cancer cells.

3. All living things contain carbon-14 which continues to emit radiation after
death. The emission is gradually decreased. By measuring the activity of
the sample in the artifacts, the age remains can be estimated.