Radioactive Isotopes

899 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Birth of nuclear medicine

Radioactive Isotopes

I never thought nuclear energy would play a role in my life, but that was until two years ago when my family was hit with horrifying news. A close friend of ours was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of a new technology called radiation therapy or radiotherapy, my mother’s best friend is alive today. Radiotherapy is produced by a form of nuclear energy called radioactive isotopes. The class EGEE 101 has educated me about the subject of nuclear energy, but I wanted to take it a step further and discover how nuclear energy plays a role in medicine.

Radioactive isotopes are radioactive atoms of common elements like carbon, cobalt, phosphorus, or sodium. Radioactive isotopes are located in “atomic ash” that is left behind after uranium atoms are split in a “nuclear pile.” Some radioactive isotopes are produced from the exposure of common elements to powerful radiation inside a nuclear reactor during fission (Nuclear Energy 2005). Fission occurs when an atom’s nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, producing a large amount of energy. Radioactive isotopes release radiation in the form of beta and gamma rays. The strength of the radiation is relative to the rate where radioactive material decays. Because of this, different radioisotopes can be used for different purposes, depending on their strength. (Nuclear Energy 2005).

Radioactive isotopes have led to what some are calling “nuclear medicine.” This type of medicine uses the radioactive isotopes to prevent, diagnose, and treat many diseases. During nuclear medicine diagnosing methods, a small amount of radioactive matter is penetrated into the body. The radioactive materials are attracted to cer...

... middle of paper ...

.... Radioisotopes in Medicine. May 2004. Uranium Information Centre Ltd. 4 Apr. 2005 <http://www.uic.com.au/nip26.htm>.

“Nuclear Energy.” Britannica Student Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 <http://search.eb.com/ebi/article?tocld=205779>.

“Nuclear Engineering.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 <http://search.eb.com/eb/article?tocld=64710>.

Schenter, Robert. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 18 Nov. 1998. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 <http://www.cbvcp.com/nmrc/>.

Schenter, Robert. What Is Nuclear Medicine. 21 Sept. 1999. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 <http://www.cbvcp.com/nmrc/nucmed.html>.

What Is Radiation Therapy. Dec. 2003. Your Medical Source. 4 Apr. 2005 <http://yourmedicalsource.com/library/radiationtherapy/RT_whatis.html>.

Show More
Related

  • Aerobic Cellular Respiration

    2113 Words  | 5 Pages

    Baskin, S. I. , Kelly, J. B. , Maliner, B. I. , Rockwood, G. A. , Zoltani C. K. (2013). “Chapter 11

    Read More

  • Pathological Gambling Research Paper

    632 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Pathological gambling is medically defined in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD-10) as being unable to resist impulses to gamble, which can lead to severe personal or social consequences.” (ICDC College, 2014)

    Read More

  • The Devastating Consequences of Zero Tolerance and School Discipline Policies

    1624 Words  | 4 Pages

    Skiba, R. J., Horner, R. H., Chung, C. G., Karenga-Rausch, M., May, S. L., & Tobin, T.

    Read More

  • Impact of the Manhattan Project

    505 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear energy is used today for energy supply and about 15% of the world’s energy comes from nuclear power plants some forms of medicine such as nuclear medicine rely solely on nuclear technology. This technology was developed through the process of creating the first atomic bomb and would not exist if not for the advancements made during the Manhattan project.

    Read More

  • The History of Treating Mental Illness

    1895 Words  | 4 Pages

    Kobau, R., Zack, M. M., Manderscheid, R., Palpant, R. G., Morales, D. S., Luncheon, C., et al.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Medicine

    2371 Words  | 5 Pages

    Nuclear Medicine is the use of radioisotopes for diagnosis, treatment, and research. Radioactive chemical tracers emit gamma rays which provides diagnostic information about a person's anatomy and the functioning of specific organs. Radioisotopes are also utilizes in treatments of diseases such as cancer. It is estimated that approximately one in two people in Western countries are likely to experience the benefits of nuclear medicine in their lifetime.

    Read More

  • Evolution of the Werewolf: Lay of the Werewolf

    813 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...a is immediately shown. Bisclavaret told the closest person in his life his secret and she betrayed him. Another life message in this story is that the normal people in life may not be the best. This is because Bisclavaret is far from a normal person or animal, however, he is the best friend and protector the king could ask for. He is better than any knight or normal animal on the Earth. The last message that was portrayed in the story is that cheaters never win. The wife literally cheated on her husband and her new knight husband was the cause of her cheating. They were punished by being banished from their homeland and living with only each other. The story has many different messages within Stypczynski’s system and in life. Bisclavaret touches many different aspects of life and allows everyone to connect or relate to messages and events that happened to him.

    Read More

  • The Patient Intake Interview

    896 Words  | 2 Pages

    Duley, S. M., Cancelli, A. A., Kratochwill, T. R., Bergan, J. R., & Meredith, K. E. (1983).

    Read More

  • Radioisotopes and their Medical Uses

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    A radioisotope is an isotope that emits radiation as it has nuclear instability(Prostate Cancer; Fusion imaging helps target greater doses of radiation).Those who are not too familiar with radioisotopes may think their use is for harmful radiation, nuclear weapons, and the possibility of turning into a giant, raging, green monster. However, there are much more positive uses for radioisotopes. There have been many medical advances thanks to the benefit and practice of radioisotopes in nuclear medicine. These advances have been able to diagnose and treat a variety of diseases.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Chemistry

    1999 Words  | 4 Pages

    The nuclei are ejected from heavy, unstable nuclei so as to remove excess protons and neutrons. However, the formed nuclei may still be radioactive in which even further decay will occur. Alpha emissions occur in nuclei with atomic numbers greater than 83. E.g 23892U  42He + 23490Th (both mass and No. of protons are conserved during the reaction)

    Read More

  • Essay On Gambling

    1040 Words  | 3 Pages

    We need to a continuous support for research on emerging challenges from gambling. In order to address the issue of gambling effectively through research, monitoring and evaluation we need to define and identify problem gamblers.

    Read More

  • paris

    517 Words  | 2 Pages

    I would be honored to participate in this program due to the invaluable experience I will receive from SMU in Paris. The advantages from this program can be expressed in two groups: personal and academic. From a personal standpoint, I never thought I would have the opportunity to join a program such as this due to the lack of programs from the previous institutions I attended. When I transferred to SMU exactly one year ago, I began to learn about the extensive study abroad programs and listened to countless stories told by students who had personal experiences. I believe studying in Paris will give me many advantages.

    Read More

  • Bullying: Victims on Both Sides

    880 Words  | 2 Pages

    Three million bullying incidents are reported each year in the U.S. and over 160,000 kids skip school each day because they are scared of being bullied (Havenrich). Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 to 24 year olds and sixth leading cause of death for 5 to 14 year olds ("Bullying"). Bullying has been going on for decades (Garby), and goes unnoticed by many everyday. One out of every four school students encounters taunting, teasing, shoving, and called names daily by school bullies (Havenrich). Bullying happens on the playground, during class, and to and from school (Wright). Bullying has become a big issue and some states are making laws to stop bullying (Garby). It damages the people being bullied, effects the bully himself, and sometimes the people that did not take part in the bullying.

    Read More

  • Radiation Therapy Essay

    1197 Words  | 3 Pages

    The radiotherapy is not a very new technology history reveals that the German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered radiation therapy after the discovery of x-rays in 1895. The World’s first Radiation Oncologist (therapist) was Emil Grubbe a medical student who irradiated a cancer patient in (Dartmouth, February 1896). The radiation ...

    Read More

  • Essay On Radioactivity

    1075 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the greatest events of twentieth century was the use of radioisotope as a source of energy and as medical and industrial tools. Using radioactivity has been a global issue owing to its very nature. When it is used for peaceful purposes, it is a triumph of science because it can solve energy problems in the form of nuclear energy but the side effects in the form of harmful radiation and harmful radioactive waste is the real limitations of science. This essay will attempt to analyze the application of science in the use of radioactivity and radioactive isotopes and how science is not so effective in dealing with the side effects.

    Read More

More about Radioactive Isotopes

Open Document