What are the properties of radioactive isotopes?

The nuclei of radioactive isotopes are unstable and undergo random disintegration to produce atoms of different elements. In the course of this breakdown, energetic subatomic particles are emitted. These particles include α-particles (2 protons and 2 neutrons) and β-particles (electrons).

How many neutrons are in the radioactive isotope?

We call forms of elements that have a different number of neutrons, isotopes. For example, carbon-14 is a radioactive isotope of carbon that has six protons and eight neutrons in its nucleus.

What is produced by the radioactive decay of isotopes?

A decay or loss of energy from the nucleus results when an atom with an initial type of nucleus (the parent radionuclide or parent radioisotope) transforms into a daughter nuclide. The transformation produces an atom in a different state (a nucleus containing a different number of protons and neutrons).

What are radioactive elements called?

Elements that emit ionizing radiation are called radionuclides. When it decays, a radionuclide transforms into a different atom – a decay product. The atoms keep transforming to new decay products until they reach a stable state and are no longer radioactive.

How are radioactive elements formed?

Radioactive elements are made up of atoms whose nuclei are unstable and give off atomic radiation as part of a process of attaining stability. The emission of radiation transforms radioactive atoms into another chemical element, which may be stable or may be radioactive such that it undergoes further decay.

What are the four uses of radioactive isotopes?

Different chemical forms are used for brain, bone, liver, spleen and kidney imaging and also for blood flow studies. Used to locate leaks in industrial pipe lines…and in oil well studies. Used in nuclear medicine for nuclear cardiology and tumor detection. Used to study bone formation and metabolism.

What type of radiation do radioisotopes emit?

gamma rays
When an atom of a radioisotope decays, it gives off some of its excess energy as radiation in the form of gamma rays or fast-moving sub- atomic particles. If it decays with emission of an alpha or beta particle, it becomes a new element. One can describe the emissions as gamma, beta and alpha radiation.

How are radioactive isotopes made?

Medical radioisotopes are made from materials bombarded by neutrons in a reactor, or by protons in an accelerator called a cyclotron. ANSTO uses both of these methods. Radioisotopes are an essential part of radiopharmaceuticals.

What are the elements that have isotopes?

Isotopes are various forms of an element that have the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons. Some elements, such as carbon, potassium, and uranium, have multiple naturally-occurring isotopes. Isotopes are defined first by their element and then by the sum of the protons and neutrons present.

Which element shown is the radioactive isotope?

A good example of this is tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen naturally present at extremely low levels. This table contains the elements that have no stable isotopes….Radioactive Elements.

Element	Most Stable Isotope	Half-life of Most Stable Isotope
Radium	Ra-226	1600 years
Actinium	Ac-227	21.77 years
Thorium	Th-229	7.54 x 104 years

What everyday contains radiation?

Is Anything We Use in Everyday Life Radioactive?*

• Smoke Detectors. Most residential smoke detectors contain a low-activity americium-241 source.
• Watches and Clocks.
• Ceramics.
• Glass.
• Fertilizer.
• Food.
• Gas Lantern Mantles.
• Antique Radioactive Curative Claims.