Radioactive Isotopes Essay -- Chemistry Atoms Energy Essays

Radioactive Isotopes I never thought thermonuclear energy would play a subprogram in my life, scarce that was until two years ago when my family was hit with horrible news. A close friend of ours was diagnosed with breast cancer. Because of a new technology called radiation therapy or radiotherapy, my mothers best friend is alive today. Radiotherapy is produced by a form of nuclear energy called hot isotopes. The class EGEE 101 has educated me about the subject of nuclear energy, but I wanted to take it a step further and see to it how nuclear energy plays a role in medicine. Radioactive isotopes argon hot atoms of common elements like carbon, cobalt, phosphorus, or sodium. Radioactive isotopes are locate in atomic ash that is left behind after atomic number 92 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 goos e egg 2005). Fission occurs when an atoms nucleus splits into two or more smaller nuclei, producing a man-sized amount of energy. Radioactive isotopes release radiation in the form of genus Beta and gamma rays. The strength of the radiation is relative to the rate where radioactive substantive 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... .... Radioisotopes in music. May 2004. Uranium Information Centre Ltd. 4 Apr. 2005 .Nuclear Energy. Britannica Student cyclopaedia. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 .Nuclear Engineering. Encyclo pedia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopedia Britannica Online 4 Apr. 2005 .Schenter, Robert. Nuclear Medicine question Council. 18 Nov. 1998. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 .Schenter, Robert. What Is Nuclear Medicine. 21 Sept. 1999. Nuclear Medicine Research Council. 4 Apr. 2005 .What Is Radiation Therapy. Dec. 2003. Your Medical Source. 4 Apr. 2005 .