define radioisotopes

Radioisotopes - Naturally occurring radioactive substances have high nucleon number. It is possible to make artificial radioactive substances by bombarding lighter nuclides with - particles, protons or neutrons. The radioactive substances produced in this manner are known as radioiso..

A nuclide is any species of atom of which each atom has an identical proton number and also an identical nucleon number. Different nuclides, which have the same proton number (but different nucleon numbers) are called isotopes (isotopic nuclides..

Radioisotopes find numerous uses in different areas such as medicine, chemistry, biology, archaeology, agriculture, industry and engineeri..

Radioisotopes are frequently used as tracers or tagged atoms in various fields. In tracer technique, a radioactive isotope is added to the reactants and its movement is studied by measuring radioactivity in different par..

There are a small number of radioisotopes of low proton number, which occur naturally. They are produced by bombardment by radiation from outer space (cosmic rays). The most well known of these is radioactive carbon-14, which is produced when nitrogen is bombarded by neutron..

This technique is of gaining importance in analytical chemistry. In this technique, the sample containing very small amount of the stable isotope of the element to be investigated is bombarded with neutrons. This element is activated into its radioactive isotope. The radioactivity of this rad..

In astronomy, the low temperature microwave radiation that arrives at the earth's surface from all directions of outer space is called background radiation. It is so named because it forms a background to all the radio sources that have been detected by radio telescopes. Cosmic background radiation..

g - rays emitted by the radioisotopes can be used in the treatment of cancer. These radiations tend to destroy cancerous cells and the way can arrest the spreading of the cancerous cells. 6 0 CO is used in the treatment of tumours and cancers...

PET is a sophisticated version of radio isotope scanning. The principle behind PET scanning is as follows. Short - lived radio isotopes such as 1 1 C, 1 3 N or 1 5 O are produced and incorporated into a solution (of glucose) that can be injected into the body. As the radio isotope circulates throug..

. Thus, they are not likely to do much damage unless they enter the body on contaminated food etc. b - particles have a greater range, but they too are easily absorbed and a Perspex screen may be used as protection. g - rays are most dangerous because of their high penetrating power, and great care..