What are some good applications of nuclear radiation?
Answer:
Technical uses of Nuclear radiation:
-Since they are able to penetrate matter, nuclear radiations are used for a variety of measuring methods.
-Radiography by means of gamma or x rays
This is a method used in industrial production. The piece to be radiographed is placed between the source and a photographic film in a cassette. After a certain exposition time, the film is developed and it shows internal defects of the material if there are any.
-Gauges
Gauges use the exponential absorption law of gamma rays
Level indicators: Source and detector are placed at opposite sides of a container, indicating the presence or absence of material in the horizontal radiation path. Beta or gamma sources are used, depending on the thickness and the density of the material to be measured. The method is used for containers of liquids or of grainy substances
-Thickness gauges: if the material is of constant density, the signal measured by the radiation detector depends on the thickness of the material. This is useful for continuous production, like of paper, rubber, etc.
-Applications using ionization of gases by nuclear radiation
To avoid the build-up of static electricity in production of paper, plastics, synthetic textiles, etc., a ribbon-shaped source of the alpha emitter 241Am can be placed close to the material at the end of the production line. The source ionises the air to remove electric charges on the material.
Smoke detector: Two ionisation chambers are placed next to each other. Both contain a small source of 241Am that gives rise to a small constant current. One is closed and serves for comparison, the other is open to ambient air; it has a gridded electrode. When smoke enters the open chamber, the current is disrupted as the smoke particles attach to the charged ions and restore them to a neutral electrical state. This reduces the current in the open chamber. When the current drops below a certain threshold, the alarm is triggered
Radioactive tracers for industry: Since radioactive isotopes behave chemically just like the inactive element, the behavior of a certain chemical substance can be followed by tracing the radioactivity. Examples:
Adding a gamma tracer to a gas or liquid in a closed system makes it possible to find a hole in a tube.
Adding a tracer to the surface of the component of a motor makes it possible to measure wear by measuring the activity of the lubricating oil.
Biological and medical applications of nuclear radiation:
In biology, one uses mainly the fact that radiation sterilizes, and that it enhances mutations. For example, mutations may be induced by radiation to produce new or improved species. A very promising field is the sterile insect technique, where male insects are sterilized and liberated in the chosen field, so that they have no descendants, and the population is reduced.
Radiation is also useful in sterilizing medical hardware or food. The advantage for medical hardware is that the object may be sealed in plastic before sterilization. For food, there are strict regulations to prevent the occurrence of induced radioactivity. The growth of a seedling may be enhanced by radiation, but excessive radiation will hinder growth.
Electrons, x rays, gamma rays or atomic ions may be used in radiation therapy to treat malignant tumors (cancer).
Tracer methods are used in nuclear medicine in a way analogous to the technical uses mentioned above.
yes, these applications benefit disciplines as diverse as medicine, biology, art, archaeology, energy, materials science, space exploration, and the environment..
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