Overview
of Uses
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There are many important uses of radioactivity including
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General and industrial uses
The decay of Carbon-14 is used in radiocarbon dating, where the
measurement of the ratio of Carbon-14 to Carbon-12 permits the age
of carbon-bearing materials to be determined.
The relative proportions of different radioactive isotopes are used
in geology to determine the age of rocks. A similar approach using
different isotopes enables sedimentologists and marine scientists to
establish the chronology of sedimentary layers and reconstruct the
deposition history of sediments in lakes, coastal zones and deep
oceans.
Radioisotopes are widely used in industry e.g. in the measurement of
the thickness of metal tyre cord using a Strontium-90 source, and in
the inspection of solid objects (e.g. jet engines) to find possible
structural flaws.
Radioisotopes are used in the irradiation of food to kill parasites,
bacteria and certain insects, and to inhibit germination, sprouting
or premature ripening.The food itself does not become radioactive.
Strong gamma sources (e.g. Cobalt-60) are used to sterilize medical
equipment.
Radioisotopes are used to label biochemicals in order to trace
chemical processes in living organisms. (This is especially useful
in the area of immunology).
Radioactive substances are used in smoke alarms.
Heart pacemakers often contain a nuclear-powered battery. The
battery’s energy is supplied by a small quantity of plutonium, which
decays by alpha emission and the heat generated is converted to
electricity by a semiconductor thermopile.
Research reactors have been built in many countries for educational
use, research and for the production of radioactive isotopes.
Nuclear powered submarines have been built by the U.S., the U.K.,
Russia and France. The energy neede to propel the submarine is
generated by a compact nuclear reactor on board the submarine.These
reactors use a core of enriched uranium.
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