Uses of Nuclear Radiation :: essays research papers

Uses of nuclear radiation mountain DetectorsSmoke alarms contain a weak source made of Americium-241.Alpha particles are emitted from here, which ionise the air, so that the air conducts electricity and a grim current flows. If the skinny enters the alarm, this absorbs the particles, the current reduces, and the alarm sounds.Thickness ControlIn paper mills, the oppressiveness of the paper can be controlled by measuring how much genus Beta radiation passes through the paper to a Geiger counter. The counter controls the pressure of the rollers to make it the correct thickness. With paper, or plastic, or aluminium foil, &61538, rays are use, because &61537, will not go through the paper. We choose a source with a want half-life so that it does not need to be re set often. SterilisingEven afterwards it has been packaged, da Gamma rays can be used to bulge bacteria, mould and insects in food. This process prolongs the shelf-life of the food, but sometimes changes the taste. Gamma rays are also used to sterilise hospital equipment, especially plastic syringes that would be damaged if heated. radioactive DatingAnimals and plants have a known proportion of Carbon-14 (a radioisotope of Carbon) in their tissues. When they last they stop taking Carbon in, then the come up of Carbon-14 goes down at a known rate (Carbon-14 has a half-life of 5700 years). The age of the antique organic materials can be found by measuring the amount of Carbon-14 that is left. Radioactive TracersThe most common tracer is called Technetium-99 and is very safe because it unless emits gamma rays and doesnt cause much ionisation. Radioisotopes can be used for health check purposes, such as checking for a blocked kidney. To do this a small amount of Iodine-123 is injected into the patient, after 5 minutes 2 Geiger counters are placed over the kidneys. Also radioisotopes are used in industry, to detect leaking pipes. To do this, a small amount is injected into the pipe. It is then detec ted with a GM counter above ground. Cancer TreatmentBecause Gamma rays can kill living cells, they are used to kill cancer cells without having to resort to hard-fought surgery. This is called Radiotherapy? and works because cancer cells cant repair themselves when damaged by gamma rays, as healthy cells can.