Uses of radioactive isotopes - Radioactivity, Physics - eSaral

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Uses of radioactive isotopes

1. In Medicine 
   
   a. $\mathrm{Co}^{60}$ for treatment of cancerb. $\mathrm{Na}^{24}$ for circulation of blood
   
   c. $\mathbf{I}^{131}$ for thyroid
   
   d. $S r^{90}$ for treatment of skin & eye
   
   e. $\mathrm{Fe}^{59}$ for location of brain tumor
   
   f. Radiographs of castings and teeth



2. In Industries
   
   a. For detecting leakage in water and oil pipe lines
   
   b. For investigation of wear & tear, study of plastics & alloys, thickness measurement.



3. In Agriculture 
   
   a. $\mathrm{C}^{14}$ to study kinetics of plant photosynthesis
   
   b. $\mathrm{P}^{32}$ to find nature of phosphate which is best for given soil & crop
   
   c. $\mathrm{Co}^{60}$ for protecting potato crop from earth worm
   
   d. sterilization of insects for pest control.
   
    
4. radioactive isotopes 
   
   a. $\mathrm{K}^{40}$ to find age of meteorites
   
   b. $S^{35}$ in factories
5. Carbon dating 
   
   a. It is used to find age of earth and fossils
   
   b. The age of earth is found by Uranium disintegration and fossil age by disintegration of $\mathrm{C}^{14}$.
   
   c. The estimated age of earth is about $5 \times 10^{9}$ years.
   
   d. The half-life of $\mathrm{C}^{14}$ is 5700 years.



6. As Tracers 
   
   a. A very small quantity of radio isotope present in any specimen is called tracer.
   
   b. This technique is used to study complex biochemical reactions, in detection of cracks, blockages etc, tracing sewage or silt in sea.



7. In Geology 
   
   a. For dating geological specimens like ancient rocks, lunar rocks using Uranium.
   
   b. For dating archaeological specimens, biological specimens using $\mathrm{C}^{14}$.

So, that's it from this article. I hope you get the idea about the uses of radioactive isotopes. If you liked this explanation then please share it with your friends.

Also, see
Nuclear Fission and Fusion 

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