USES OF ISOTOPES

Name:
Class:

Lim Chew Yew

4 SNS 1

Subject: Chemistry
Teacher: Pn.Masylinda

INTRODUCTION
Isotopes are atoms of the same element with
the same proton number but different nucleon number. It
can also be referred as atoms of the same element with
the same number of protons but different number of
neutrons.
Many elements have more than one type of
isotopes.The isotopes have the same chemical properties
due to their similar electron arrangement but have
different physical properties.
Most elements have stable and unstable
isotopes.The unstable isotopes are also known as
radioactive isotopes.Radioactive isotopes are susceptible
to decaying and spontaneously emit radioactive rays
such as alpha,beta and gamma.This may cause their
proton number and nucleon number to change.
These isotopes are widely used in different
kind of fields such as the field of medicine, agriculture ,
industry , archeology , food preservation and electricity
generation. They help to improve the daily lives of people
of all kinds of occupation.

USES OF ISOTOPES
Medicine
1. Cobalt-60, a radioisotope of colbalt , is used in
radiotherapy to kill malignant cancer cells by
directing a beam of gamma rays towards the cancer
cells.
2. A drink containing sodium iodide ( Nal ) is given to
thyroid cancer patients . The radioactive iodide ions
move preferentially to the thyroid gland. The
radiation given out by the radioactive iodide ions will
kill the cancer cells without affecting other parts of
the body.
3. Copper-64, is used to study genetic diseases
affecting copper metabolism, such as Wilson's and
Menke's diseases.
4. Some medicine, bandages, surgical gloves ,plastic
hypodermic syringes cannot be sterilized by
boiling.Therefore they are sterilized by using gamma
radiation produced by radioactive isotopes.

Agriculture
1. Using radioactive carbon-14 in carbon dioxide ,the
path of carbon
during the photosynthesis process
can be determined.

2. Radioactive phosphate ions can be added to

determine the rate of absorption of phosphorus by
the plants.
3. Male pests are attracted into traps using female
hormones (pheromone).The male pests are then
exposed to gamma radiation by radioisotopes which
causes genetic mutation to the gametes (sperms).
The male pests are then released to mate with the
females. The offsprings produced will have
undeveloped digestive organs and wings.This will
terminate the survival of the following generation.

Industry
1. Beta radiation released by radioisotopes is used to
control the thickness of paper , plastic , metal and
rubber.
2. Gamma radiation is used to detect wether a canned
food or bottled drink is fully or partially filled.
3. Sodium-24 is used to detect leakage in pipes carrying
gas.The isotope is added to the gas through the pipe.
The detection of a high radioactive reading will
signify the location of the leakage.
4. Gamma rays may be employed in place of large Xray machines to examine manufactured metal parts
for structural defects.

ARCHAEOLOGY
1. Carbon-14 is used to determine the age of
archaeological artifacts. Plants take in Carbon-14

during photosynthesis. Carbon-14 is incorporated

into animals or human beings when the plants are
eaten. When a living thing dies, the intake of carbon14 stopped. Decay of Carbon-14 takes thousands of
years, and the amount of C-14 remaining is inversely
proportional to the age of the artifacts.This method is
known as carbon dating.

FOOD PRESERVATION
1. Cobalt-60 is used in the irradiation process to
prevent food such as vegetables ,fruits and meat
from rotting. Microorganisms can be killed by
irradiating the food with its gamma radiation. The
shelf life of the food can be extended by this
method.Irradiation
is
better
than
chemical
preservations because it has no adverse effect on our
health.
2. Irradiation also slows down budding in potato and
onions and slows down the ripening of fruits to be
exported.

Electricity generation
1. Uranium-235 is used as a nuclear fuel as an energy
source to replace fossil fuels such as petroleum,
natural gas and coal. The uraniu atoms become
unstable when bombarded with fast neutrons.This

causes the uranium nuclei to split ,producing heat

energy. The heat energy released s used to produce
steam from water . The steam drives the turbine of
the generator , producing electricity.

Conclusion
Isotopes of different elements have their own
functions and practical uses. The examples which I
provided are just a small proportion of the uses of
isotopes in our lives. There are much more types of
isotopes that are widely applied in their suitable fields. By
studying their physical properties, chemists and field
researchers able to understand them extensively in order
to apply them in our daily life. That is why the study of
chemistry is important and the understanding of every
isotopes of each element is equally salient for a better
future in science.