Radioactive isotopes of an element, otherwise known as radioisotopes, are different isotopes of the same element that consists of the same number of protons but different number of neutrons in their atomic nuclei. Radioisotopes can also be expressed as atoms that have an unbalanced combination of neutrons and protons. .
There are three types of nuclear radiation that come from the nucleus of an atom: .
- alpha.
- beta.
- gamma.
Nuclear radiation can be immersed by substances in its path. Alpha radiation journeys only a few centimeters in air, beta radiation moves tens of centimeters in air and gamma radiation travels many metres. Each form of radiation becomes less powerful the further the distance from the radioactive materials, this happens as the atoms or rays become more spread out. The denser the substance, the more the radiation is absorbed. The three types of radiation infiltrate materials in singular ways. Alpha radiation penetrates the least and can be blocked (or absorbed) by a sheet of paper. Beta radiation can penetrate air and paper, however a thin sheet of aluminium can stop it. Gamma radiation is the most penetrating, as small quantities can penetrate air, paper and even thin metal. Higher ranks can only be stopped by a large amount of lead, or a large amount of concrete. .
There are many properties of radioisotopes; such as they react like regular atom counterparts. Radiations can also kill cancerous cells in patients, an example is when a patient is diagnosed with thyroid cancer. An isotope of iodine is injected which will collect the thyroid and kill the cancerous cells. Radioisotopes are useful in daily life as part of the medical, industrial and other uses of radioisotopes. For medical purposes, bone imaging is an extremely crucial use of radioactive properties. If a patient has fractured a bone, it will show up on a bone-scanning scan. As part of daily life, smoke detectors contain a small amount of americium-241.