What is special about radioactive isotopes?

Answer 1

Radioactive isotopes are a subset of isotopes. If we look at all isotopes, some of them are radioactive. That means that they have unstable nuclei, and they will decay spontaneously sooner or later.

Answer 2

Radioactive Isotopes have many uses- the half life of the RIs is known and that makes it useful in combating diseases like cancer and hyperthroidism. In case of hyperthyroidism- a RI of Iodine is used injected into the patient. The thyroid gland picks up the Iodine, and the RI starts to destroy cells of the gland due to its radiation.

Doctors are trained to calculate the damage to be done to the gland to reduce production of thyroxine and they know the dosage of the RI of Iodine to be given.

Similar RIs are used to irradiate potato, onions to give them a larger shelf life (where required) to enable storage over larger periods of time.

RIs are also used in X-ray machines.

Many uses.

Answer 3

Radioactive isotopes contain unstable nuclei that emit radiation as they decay to achieve more stable configurations. This property makes them valuable for medical imaging, cancer treatment, and dating geological samples. The unique ability of radioactive isotopes to give off radiation allows scientists to track processes within living organisms and study the age of materials.

Answer 4

How may radioactive isotopes be useful in biological research?

Answer 5

I think they can produce alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays.

Answer 6

Explain how radioactive isotopes are useful to researchers.