Radioisotopes and Their Applications in Science

Radioisotopes

Isotopes with unstable nuclei that release radiation.

Radioactivity

Spontaneous radiation release from unstable nuclei.

Half-life

Time for half of radioactive nuclei to decay.

Radiocarbon dating

Determines age of materials using carbon-14 levels.

Transmutation

Nucleus transformation changing the element type.

Nuclear Fusion

Fusing elements to form larger elements, releasing energy.

Nuclear Fission

Splitting unstable nuclei, releasing energy and neutrons.

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)

Severe illness from high radiation exposure.

Radiotherapy

Using gamma rays to treat cancer by damaging DNA.

Smoke Detectors

Devices that use alpha particles to detect smoke.

Compound

Substance made of chemically bonded atoms.

Molecule

Two or more chemically bonded atoms.

Crystalline

Having a structured arrangement of atoms.

Lattice

Three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in solids.

Ionic Bonds

Electron transfer between metals and non-metals.

Covalent Bonds

Shared electron pairs between non-metals.

Metallic Compounds

Bonds between metal elements with delocalized electrons.

Flame Tests

Identifying metals by color emitted when heated.

Cyanide Pollution

Contamination from cyanide spill affecting aquatic life.

Conduction

Heat transfer through free-moving electrons in metals.

Properties of Diamond

Extremely hard, high melting point, non-conductive.

High Radiation Effects

Can cause skin burns and long-term cancer risk.

Stable Isotopes

Isotopes that do not undergo radioactive decay.

Carbon-14

Radioactive isotope used in radiocarbon dating.

Gamma Rays

High-energy radiation used in medical treatments.

Alpha Particles

Helium nuclei emitted during radioactive decay.