Sterilisation can be done without high temperatures. Scientists have long known that radiation can cause cancer in humans. Radioactivity 1. For example, in the upper levels of our atmosphere, cosmic rays strike nitrogen atoms and form a naturally radioactive isotope called carbon-14. The water that passes through a reactor is processed and filtered to remove these radioactive impurities before being returned to the environment. However, small amounts of these radioactive substances (mostly gases) become mixed with the water that is used to cool the reactor. As a result, where we now use chlorine — a chemical that is toxic and difficult-to-handle — we may someday use radiation to disinfect our drinking water and kill the germs in our sewage. X-ray machines have also been connected to computers in machines called computerized axial tomography (CAT) or computed tomography (CT) scanners. In some cases, radioactivity can even help save a life. Radioactive material is also used in gauges that measure the thickness of eggshells to screen out thin, breakable eggs before they are packaged in egg cartons. When used properly, radioactivity does not pose much danger. Radioactive sources can be very useful but need handling carefully to ensure safety. Our team of exam survivors will get you started and keep you going. The atomic bomb, for example, takes advantage of clusters of uranium and plutonium exploding on top of each other to create a massive reaction. In such procedures, doctors administer slightly radioactive substances to patients, which are attracted to certain internal organs such as the pancreas, kidney, thyroid, liver, or brain, to diagnose clinical conditions. Radio-Activity (German title: Radio-Aktivität) is the fifth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk, released in October 1975.The band's first entirely electronic album, it is a concept album organized around the themes of radioactive decay and radio communication.. These instruments provide doctors with color images that show the shapes and details of internal organs. In addition, researchers use low-energy radioactive sources in gas chromatography to identify the components of petroleum products, smog and cigarette smoke, and even complex proteins and enzymes used in medical research. Controlled Unclassified Information Program (CUI), Radiation Dispersion Maps and Information, Personal Annual Radiation Dose Calculator, Medical, Industrial, and Academic Uses of Nuclear Materials. Closer to home, many of the fabrics used to make our clothing have been irradiated (treated with radiation) before being exposed to a soil-releasing or wrinkle-resistant chemical. fuel pellets or in sealed metal fuel rods. The album was accompanied by a single release of the title track, which was successful in France. Radioactive sources can be very useful but need handling carefully to ensure safety. Gauges containing radioisotopes measure the amount of air whipped into our ice cream, while others prevent spillover as our soda bottles are carefully filled at the factory. Besides making plants stronger, radiation can be used to control insect populations, thereby decreasing the use of dangerous pesticides. He graduated from Baylor University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Similarly, radiation is used to help remove toxic pollutants, such as exhaust gases from coal-fired power stations and industry. Read about our approach to external linking. In the "Spider-Man" series, Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider that turns him into a human/spider hybrid. In addition, many of our foods are packaged in polyethylene shrinkwrap that has been irradiated so that it can be heated above its usual melting point and wrapped around the foods to provide an airtight protective covering. Describe uses of radioactivity in industry and medicine. Plant seeds, for example, have been exposed to radiation to bring about new and better types of plants. Exposing objects to beams of radiation is called irradiation. Engineers also use gauges containing radioactive substances to measure the thickness of paper products, fluid levels in oil and chemical tanks, and the moisture and density of soils and material at construction sites. By measuring this difference, archaeologists are able to determine the object's approximate age. This can be put to good use as well as being a hazard. As our country becomes a nation of electricity users, we need a reliable, abundant, clean, and affordable source of electricity. Industrial Uses. Comic books often use radiation as a sort of "deus ex machina" to explain the origins of superpowers. When a plant or animal dies, it no longer takes in new carbon and the carbon-14 that it accumulated throughout its life begins the process of radioactive decay. This is done by considering: If the half-life chosen is too long, the damaging effects of the radiation would last for too long and the dose received would continue to rise. In some cases, radioactivity can even help save a life. It can be very harmful - standing in the environment where objects are being treated by irradiation could expose people’s cells to damage and, Uses and dangers of radioactivity - Edexcel, Sample exam questions - radioactivity - Edexcel, Home Economics: Food and Nutrition (CCEA). When used properly, radioactivity does not pose much danger. Today, to benefit humankind, radiation is used in medicine, academics, and industry, as well as for generating electricity. X-rays and other forms of radiation also have a variety of therapeutic uses. For additional information, see the following topics on this page: Hospitals, doctors, and dentists use a variety of nuclear materials and procedures to diagnose, monitor, and treat a wide assortment of metabolic processes and medical conditions in humans. The effect is similar to placing a pencil behind a piece of paper and holding the pencil and paper in front of a light. It can be used to kill bacteria on things that would melt. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. For example, just as doctors can label substances inside people's bodies, scientists can label substances that pass through plants, animals, or our world. Universities, colleges, high schools, and other academic and scientific institutions use nuclear materials in course work, laboratory demonstrations, experimental research, and a variety of health physics applications. An industrial process, similar to that used for restoring old furniture, transforms soft wood into nto panelling as hard as marble. When treated in this manner, foods take much longer to spoil, and medical equipment (such as bandages, hypodermic syringes, and surgical instruments) are sterilized without being exposed to toxic chemicals or extreme heat. Nuclear power plants are fueled by uranium, which emits radioactive substances. It may not kill all bacteria on an object. In addition, radiation has useful applications in such areas as agriculture, archaeology (carbon dating), space exploration, law enforcement, geology (including mining), and many others. "The Incredible Hulk" becomes a giant, green mutant after laboratory radiation exposure. When x-rayed, our bones and other structures cast shadows because they are denser than our skin, and those shadows can be detected on photographic film. Russell Huebsch has written freelance articles covering a range of topics from basketball to politics in print and online publications. For example, radioactive iodine (specifically iodine-131) is frequently used to treat thyroid cancer, a disease that strikes about 11,000 Americans every year. Radioactivity Uses. For example, electron beam radiation can remove dangerous sulphur dioxides and nitrogen oxides from our environment. Similarly, radiation has helped us learn more about the types of soil that different plants need to grow, the sizes of newly discovered oil fields, and the tracks of ocean currents. (long enough for the isotope to produce useful measurements, but short enough for the radioactive sources to decay to safe levels soon after use), Advantages and disadvantages of irradiation. The agricultural industry makes use of radiation to improve food production and packaging. Americium-241 is an alpha emitter and is used for domestic smoke detectors in the United States. Some radioactivity uses are provided in the points below. This allows researchers to study such things as the paths that different types of air and water pollution take through the environment. Radioactive sources can be very useful but need handling carefully to ensure safety. The process of irradiation does not cause the irradiated object to become radioactive. The gamma rays emitted by the cobalt will destroy any bacteria on the fruit but will not change the fruit in any significant way. Nothing is burned or exploded in a nuclear power plant. Other impurities in the water are also made radioactive as they pass through the reactor. A high dose of gamma rays are used to treat various forms of cancer. The process of irradiation does not cause the irradiated object to become radioactive. Uses and dangers of radioactivity People are exposed to sources of radiation in all aspects of everyday life. Radiation actually refers to the transfer of energy from a wave. The difference is that x-rays are invisible, so we need photographic film to "see" them for us. from a torch beam onto a hand lights the hand up because the hand has been exposed to light. In these plants, the energy needed to boil water into steam is produced either by burning coal, oil, or gas (fossil fuels) in a furnace, or by splitting atoms of uranium in a nuclear power plant. Radiography is also used to check the flow of oil in sealed engines and the rate and way that various materials wear out. Similarly, nonstick cookware is treated with gamma rays to keep food from sticking to the metal surface. The shorter the wavelength, the more energy an object has. Archaeologists also use radioactive substances to determine the ages of fossils and other objects through a process called carbon dating. Exposing objects to beams of radiation is called, . Irradiation can be used to preserve fruit sold in supermarkets by exposing the fruit to a radioactive source - typically cobalt-60. Experience has shown that, during normal operations, nuclear power plants typically release only a small fraction of the radiation allowed by the NRC's established limits. Uses of Radioactivity. With the exception of solar, wind, and hydroelectric plants, power plants (including those that use nuclear fission) boil water to produce steam that spins the propeller-like blades of a turbine that turns the shaft of a generator. A common misconception about radiation is that it is a solid object. Since radiation is relatively easy to detect, physicians give patients fairly harmless radioactive pills to find out whether anything is wrong or blocking the body's normal digestive functions or to test new drugs. We could talk all day about the many and varied uses of radiation in industry and not complete the list, but a few examples illustrate the point.
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