WHAT SCIENTIFIC TERM OUGHT TO BE MORE WIDELY KNOWN? -
ISOTOPES
Editor’s Note: In this piece for his sophomore chemistry class, Kai Cedeño (‘18) explores isotopes and their many useful roles in the world.
Isotope is a word used to describe different types of atoms of the same element which have different numbers of protons in the nucleus. The difference in the number of protons in the atoms of an element affect the mass of the atom, but not the properties which allow us to identify it. Radioactive isotopes, also known as radioisotopes, are isotopes that are unstable due to the ratio of protons to neutrons in the nucleus. Radioisotopes release energy by giving off different types of radiation known as alpha, beta, and gamma rays.
In the context of our tenth grade chemistry course, we have learned about isotopes as something that simply exist. Isotope is a term that should be more widely known because there are a wide variety of practice uses for them in industry, agriculture, and medicine. In industry, different isotopes of certain elements are used to determine the quantity and density of a product. Each type of radioisotope gives off a certain amount of radiation as the nucleus changes to become stable. This radiation is made less intense as it passes through other matter. Using detectors, manufactures are able to measure the decrease in energy from the source of radiation as well as radiation that is deflected back to the source, allowing them to effectively estimate the density or size or thickness of a product. An example of the use of radioisotopes to measure product is the use of beta rays to determine the thickness of paper and plastics. Using radioisotopes to measure these things is helpful because the manufactures do not have to make physical contact with the product which decreases the chances of spoiling or mishandling it.
Another use of radioisotopes is in agriculture. The energy that is given off by radioisotopes is used to cause mutation in insects that kill crops. The mutations that are caused by radiation make pests sterile or kill them, allowing for farmers to have a greater yield. Radioisotopes are also used to study plants as they grow and learn about what ingredients to put in fertilizers. With effective fertilizers and less pests, farmers are able to maximize their product and the profit they make off of their product.
The most interesting use of isotopes in my opinion is in medicine. Doctors can use their knowledge of isotopes and the human to study how the body processes certain things. For example, doctors know that for the average human there is a specific ratio of iron isotopes that are in the blood. Doctors are able to use this knowledge to take samples of blood and tissue from a patient and draw conclusions about a patient's ability to process iron. PET (positron emission tomography) are used to detect isotopes in the body which emit energy in the form of positrons, which can be a sign of a tumor.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2016, March 17). Radioactive isotope. Retrieved April 03, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/science/radioactive-isotope
Radioisotopes in Industry. (2016, March). Retrieved April 03, 2017, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/radioisotopes-research/radioisotopes-in-industry.aspx
Uses of Isotopes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 03, 2017. From http://chemistry.tutorvista.com/nuclear-chemistry/uses-of-isotopes.html
Barett, J.T. (n.d.). How Are Isotopes Important in Studying the Human Body? Retrieved April 03, 2017, from http://sciencing.com/isotopes-important-studying-human-body-14726.html
In the context of our tenth grade chemistry course, we have learned about isotopes as something that simply exist. Isotope is a term that should be more widely known because there are a wide variety of practice uses for them in industry, agriculture, and medicine. In industry, different isotopes of certain elements are used to determine the quantity and density of a product. Each type of radioisotope gives off a certain amount of radiation as the nucleus changes to become stable. This radiation is made less intense as it passes through other matter. Using detectors, manufactures are able to measure the decrease in energy from the source of radiation as well as radiation that is deflected back to the source, allowing them to effectively estimate the density or size or thickness of a product. An example of the use of radioisotopes to measure product is the use of beta rays to determine the thickness of paper and plastics. Using radioisotopes to measure these things is helpful because the manufactures do not have to make physical contact with the product which decreases the chances of spoiling or mishandling it.
Another use of radioisotopes is in agriculture. The energy that is given off by radioisotopes is used to cause mutation in insects that kill crops. The mutations that are caused by radiation make pests sterile or kill them, allowing for farmers to have a greater yield. Radioisotopes are also used to study plants as they grow and learn about what ingredients to put in fertilizers. With effective fertilizers and less pests, farmers are able to maximize their product and the profit they make off of their product.
The most interesting use of isotopes in my opinion is in medicine. Doctors can use their knowledge of isotopes and the human to study how the body processes certain things. For example, doctors know that for the average human there is a specific ratio of iron isotopes that are in the blood. Doctors are able to use this knowledge to take samples of blood and tissue from a patient and draw conclusions about a patient's ability to process iron. PET (positron emission tomography) are used to detect isotopes in the body which emit energy in the form of positrons, which can be a sign of a tumor.
Works Cited
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2016, March 17). Radioactive isotope. Retrieved April 03, 2017, from https://www.britannica.com/science/radioactive-isotope
Radioisotopes in Industry. (2016, March). Retrieved April 03, 2017, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/radioisotopes-research/radioisotopes-in-industry.aspx
Uses of Isotopes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 03, 2017. From http://chemistry.tutorvista.com/nuclear-chemistry/uses-of-isotopes.html
Barett, J.T. (n.d.). How Are Isotopes Important in Studying the Human Body? Retrieved April 03, 2017, from http://sciencing.com/isotopes-important-studying-human-body-14726.html
