Describe three uses of radioactive isotopes?
Explanation:
Radioactive isotopes have the same chemical properties as stable isotopes of the same element, but they emit radiation, which can be detected. Radioisotopes are used to follow the paths of biochemical reactions or to determine how a substance is distributed within an organism.
Radioisotopes have revolutionized medical practice, they are used extensively. Over 10 million nuclear medicine procedures and more than 100 million nuclear medicine tests are performed annually in the United States.
Radioisotopes can also be used, typically in higher doses than as a tracer, as treatment. Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, which kills them or keeps them from dividing
They can be used to screen food, Common commercial uses of radiation include X-ray examination of luggage at an airport and preservation of food
Smoke detectors as well! The α emissions ionize the air between two electrode plates in the ionizing chamber. A battery supplies a potential that causes movement of the ions, thus creating a small electric current. When smoke enters the chamber, the movement of the ions is impeded, reducing the conductivity of the air. This causes a marked drop in the current, triggering an alarm.
