List and describe some useful applications of radioactive isotopes

1
Objectives

• List and describe some useful applications of
  radioactive isotopes

2
A. Dating by Radioactivity

• The half life of radioactive nuclides is used to
  determine the age of objects
• Carbon-14 dating is used to determine the age of
  organic material
• C-14 half-life 5730 years
• Other isotopes are used to date older organic
  material, rocks, minerals, etc.
• Radiometric Dating

3
Radioactive Tracers

• Radioactive isotopes used to measure the movement
  of substances
• Used in medicine to diagnose diseases
• Photosynthesis, enzyme activity, reactions, use
  of substances by cells
• Movement of groundwater/pollutants

4
Cancer Treatment

• Radioactive isotopes kill rapidly growing tumor
  cells
• In some cases, the source is ingested i.e.
  Iodine-131 used to treat thyroid cancer
• An external source (60Co) can be directed towards
  the tumor