Applications of radio-isotopes
The radio-isotopes have wide applications in
medicine, agriculture, industry and research. A radio-isotope is added to a
particular system and the course of the isotope is studied to understand the
system.
(i) Medical applications
In medical field, radio-isotopes are used both in
diagnosis and therapy. Radio cobalt (Co60) emitting γ−rays is used in the treatment of cancer. Gamma rays destroy cancer
cells to a greater extent.
Radio-sodium (Na24) is used to detect the presence of
blocks in blood vessels, to check the effective functioning of heart in pumping
blood and maintaining circulation. Radio-iodine (I131) is used in
the detection of the nature of thyroid gland and also for treatment.
Radio-iodine is also used to locate brain tumours.
Radio-iron (Fe59) is used to
diagnose anaemia. An anaemic patient retains iron in the blood longer than
normal patient.
Radio-phosphorous (P32) is used in
the treatment of skin diseases.
(ii) Agriculture
In agriculture, radio-isotopes help to increase
the crop yields. Radio-phosphorous (P32) incorporated with phosphate
fertilizer is added to the soil. The plant and soil are tested from time to
time. Phosphorous is taken by the plant for its growth and radio-phosphorous is
found to increase the yield.
Sprouting and spoilage of onions, potatoes,
grams etc. are prevented by exposure to a very small amount of radiation.
Certain perishable cereals remain fresh beyond their normal life span when
exposed to radiation.
(iii) Industry
In Industry, the lubricating oil containing
radio-isotopes is used to study the wear and tear of the machinery.
(iv) Molecular biology
In molecular biology radio-isotopes are used in
sterilising pharmaceutical and surgical instruments.
(v) Radio-carbon dating
In the upper atmosphere, C14 is
continually formed from N14 due to the bombardment by neutrons
produced from cosmic rays.
7N14 + 0n1 -- -- > 6C14* + 1H1.
The C14 is radioactive with half life of 5570 years.
The production and the decay of C14
are in equilibrium in atmosphere. The ratio of C14 and C12
atoms in atmosphere is 1 : 106. Hence, carbon dioxide present in the
atmosphere contains a small portion of C14.
Living things take C14 from food and air. However with
death, the intake of C14 stops, and the C14 that is
already present begins to decay. Hence the amount of C14 in the
sample will enable the calculation of time of death i.e, the age of the
specimen could be estimated. This is called radio-carbon dating. This method is
employed in the dating of wooden implements, leather clothes, charcoal used in
oil paintings, mummies and so on.
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