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Radioisotopes – isotopes with unstable nuclei that go through changes. Spontaneously release the excess energy in the form of particles , energy and/or light to become stable
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Radioisotopes – • isotopes with unstable nuclei that go through changes. • Spontaneously release the excess energy in the form of particles, energy and/or light to become stable • The emission can transform into new isotopes or change the number of protons in the nucleus so that the atom becomes a different element.
A form of radioactive decay: 146C → 147N + 0-1e Carbon goes to nitrogen and the release of an electron Note: mass stays the same!
types of nuclear radiation (or emissions): alpha, beta, gamma Alpha particle ( ) most massive +2 2 protons and 2 neutrons don’t travel far - a paper can stop them because they have a charge, they can ionize (or damage) other atoms
Beta particle ( ) fast moving electrons -1 charge most stopped by 3mm of Al or a piece of wood like alpha particles, they have a charge and can ionize other atoms
Gamma rays ( ) no mass, form of energy (electromagnetic) more energy than light or x-rays no charge travels far – needs 60 cm of Al or 7 cm of Pb to stop because they have a charge, they can ionize (or damage) other atoms
Half –life: time it takes for half of the radioisotope to decay can be nanoseconds to billions of years
Iodine-131 (8 d)*: Widely used in treating thyroid cancer and in imaging the thyroid; also in diagnosis of abnormal liver function, renal (kidney) blood flow and urinary tract obstruction. A strong gamma emitter, but used for beta therapy. Iridium-192 (74 d): Supplied in wire form for use as an internal radiotherapy source for cancer treatment (used then removed). Beta emitter. Xenon-133 (5 d)*: Used for pulmonary (lung) ventilation studies. Technetium-99 (Tc-99m) is the medical isotope used in over 80 percent of all nuclear medicine scans. The half-life of Tc-99m is 6 hours.