Radioisotopes

Question 1

What is a radioisotope?

Answer 1

It is made by placing stable isotopes into a nuclear reactor when they are bombarded with neutrons. This forces an acceleration of charged particles to high speeds. These then hit a prepared material where nuclear reactions occur and some atoms become radioactive

Question 2

What is radiotherapy?

Answer 2

A radioisotope is placed in a shielded box with an opening. A beam of gamma emerge. This can be focused on a cancerous area where it can kill the cancer.

Question 3

What are radioactive tracers?

Answer 3

Radioisotopes with short half-life’s can be used to see the conditions of organs. They are swallower where they can collect info in certain parts of the body. A gamma camera can be used to photograph the body and detect these tracer to convert into a image

Question 4

What are radioisotopes used for?

Answer 4

Small pipework - leaks can be traced
Paper thickness through beta thickness
Gamma radiation can be used on plastics and metal sheets

Question 5

What are smoke detectors?

Answer 5

They contain small amounts of American 241 (synthetic isotopes).
Alpha particles are emitted which when combined in the air creates a electric current. If the current is interrupted by smoke the alarm goes off.

Question 6

Radioisotopes in agriculture

Answer 6

Fertilisers can be labelled with radioisotopes, injected into the soil.

Question 7

Irradiation

Answer 7

Colbalt-60 is used to sterilise syringes.

Gamma rays kill bacteria - irritation