What are Isotopes?
Isotopes are different forms of the same element. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different mass numbers. That is, in an element’s isotopes. The number of protons remains constant, but the number of neutrons varies. The number of protons in an element’s nucleus of atom uniquely identifies the element. However, an element can have any number of neutrons. The total number of protons and neutrons in an element’s nucleus is its mass number. As a result, each element’s isotope has a different mass number. As an example, consider the element carbon. There are three carbon isotopes: 12C6, 13C6, and 14C6 – their mass numbers are 12, 13, and 14, respectively. Carbon has an atomic number of 6, which means that each carbon atom contains six protons. As a result, the number of neutrons in the carbon isotopes is 6, 7, and 8, respectively.
Table of Contents
- Food Irradiation
- Applications in Medicine
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
- Table of Uses of some Radioactive Isotopes
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Food Irradiation
Some radioactive substances emit radiation that can be used to kill microorganisms on a variety of foodstuffs, thereby extending their shelf life. Tomatoes, mushrooms, sprouts, and berries are all irradiated with cobalt-60 or caesium-137 emissions. This exposure kills many of the bacteria that cause spoilage, allowing the produce to last longer. Eggs, as well as some meats such as beef, pork, and poultry, can be irradiated. Irradiating food does not render the food radioactive.
Applications in Medicine
Radioactive isotopes have a wide range of medical applications, including the diagnosis and treatment of illness and disease.
- One diagnostic application is the use of radioactive iodine-131 to test for thyroid activity. A measured dose of 131I is given to a patient to evaluate thyroid activity, and the next day a scanner is used to measure the amount of radioactivity in the thyroid gland. The amount of radioactive iodine that accumulates is proportional to thyroid activity, allowing trained physicians to diagnose both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Because iodine-131 has a half-life of only 8 days, the risk of damage from exposure is low.
- Thyroid function can also be tested using technetium-99. Using the appropriate radioactive isotope, bones, the heart, the brain, the liver, the lungs, and many other organs can be imaged in similar ways.
- The goal of therapeutic applications is to preferentially kill diseased tissues, much higher doses are usually required. For example, if a thyroid tumour is discovered, a much larger infusion of iodine-131 (thousands of rem, as opposed to a diagnostic dose of less than 40 rem) could help destroy the tumour cells. Similarly, radioactive strontium is used to not only detect but also relieve the pain associated with bone cancers.
- In addition to directly applying radioactive isotopes to diseased tissue, some isotopes’ gamma ray emissions can be directed toward the tissue to be destroyed. Cobalt-60 is an excellent isotope for this type of procedure.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan measures vital body functions such as blood flow, oxygen consumption, and glucose utilisation. The data gathered assists doctors in determining how well organs and tissues function.
PET radionuclides are isotopes with short half–lives, such as carbon-11 (20 min), nitrogen-13 (10 min), oxygen-15 (2 min), and fluorine-18 (110 min). These radionuclides are mixed into compounds that the body normally uses, such as glucose (or variations of glucose), water, or ammonia. These labelled compounds are referred to as radiotracers. In some cases, the patient must breathe oxygen gas labelled with oxygen-15.
Table of Uses of some Radioactive Isotopes
| Isotope | Uses |
| Americum-241 | Many smoke detectors for homes and businesses use this material to assess toxic lead levels in dried paint samples to ensure uniform thickness in rolling processes such as steel and paper manufacturing as well as to assist in determining where oil wells should be drilled. |
| Cadmium-109 | Analyzes metal alloys for stock control and scrap sorting. |
| Calcium-47 | Biomedical researchers studying cellular functions and bone formation in mammals will benefit greatly from this discovery. |
| Californium-252 | Used to inspect airline luggage for hidden explosives, to determine the moisture content of soil in the road and building industries, and to measure the moisture of materials stored in soils. |
| Carbon-14 | Important research tool. Aids in research by ensuring that potential new drugs are metabolised without the formation of harmful by-products. Biological research, agriculture, pollution control, and archaeology all use it. |
| Caesium-137 | Used to treat cancerous tumours, to measure correct patient doses of radioactive pharmaceuticals, to measure and control liquid flow in oil pipelines, to tell researchers whether oil wells are plugged by sand, and to ensure the proper fill level for packages of food, drugs, and other products. |
| Chromium-51 | Used in studies of red blood cell survival. |
| Cobalt-57 | As a tracer, it is used to diagnose pernicious anaemia. |
| Cobalt-60 | Sterilizes surgical instruments as well as improves the safety and reliability of industrial fuel oil burners. Cancer treatment, food irradiation, gauges, and radiography all use it. |
| Copper-67 | When monoclonal antibodies are injected into a cancer patient, it aids the antibodies in binding to and destroying the tumour. |
| Curium-244 | In mining, it is used to analyse material excavated from pits as well as slurries from drilling operations. |
| Gallium-67 | Used to make medical diagnoses |
| Iodine-123 | It is commonly used to diagnose Thyroid disorders and other metabolic disorders, including brain function. |
| Iodine-125 | A significant diagnostic tool used in clinical tests and to diagnose thyroid disorders. This term is also used in biomedical research. |
| Iodine-131 | Thyroid disorders are treated with this medication. (Disease of Graves) |
| Iridium-192 | It is used to test the integrity of pipeline welds, boilers, and aircraft parts, as well as in brachy therapy/tumour irradiation. |
| Iron-55 | Detects the presence of sulphur in the air and analyses electroplating solutions. It is used in metabolic research. |
| Krypton-85 | Indicator lights in appliances such as clothes washers and dryers, stereos, and coffeemakers are used to determine the thickness of thin plastics and sheet metal, rubber, textiles, and paper, as well as to measure dust and pollutant levels.
Used in explosive detection, voltage regulators and current surge protectors in electronic devices, and electron capture detectors in gas chromatographs. |
| Nickel-63 | Used in explosive detection, voltage regulators and current surge protectors in electronic devices, and electron capture detectors in gas chromatographs. |
| Phosphorus-32 | This term is used in molecular biology and genetics research. |
| Phosphorus-33 | Since 1972, it has powered more than 20 NASA spacecraft. |
| Plutonium-238 | Reduces static charge in the manufacture of photographic film and other materials. |
| Polonium-210 | Used to measure the thickness of thin plastics, thin sheet metal, rubber, textiles, and paper in electric blanket thermostats. |
| Promethium-147 | Used to measure the thickness of thin plastics, thin sheet metal, rubber, textiles, and paper in electric blanket thermostats. |
| Radium-226 | Increases the effectiveness of lighting rods |
| Selenium-75 | In life science research, it is used in protein studies. |
| Sodium-24 | Leak detection in industrial pipe lines and oil well studies. |
| Strontium-85 | It is used to research bone formation and metabolism. |
| Strontium-90 | Survey metres are used in schools, the military, and emergency management authorities. Sensors and medical treatment are also applications for this material. |
| Sulphur-35 | This term is used in genetics and molecular biology research. |
| Technetium-99m | The most commonly used radioactive pharmaceutical in nuclear medicine diagnostic studies. For brain, bone, liver, spleen, and kidney imaging, as well as blood flow studies, various chemical forms are used. |
| Thallium-201 | In nuclear medicine, it is used for nuclear cardiology and tumour detection. |
| Thallium-204 | Dust and pollutant levels on filter paper are measured, and the thickness of plastics, sheet metal, rubber, textiles, and paper is gauged. |
| Thoriated Tungsten | Electric arc welding rods are used in the construction, aircraft, petrochemical, and food processing industries. They result in easier starting, improved arc stability, and reduced metal contamination. |
| Thorium-229 | It extends the life of fluorescent lights. |
| Thorium-230 | Colour and fluorescence are provided in coloured glazes and glassware. |
| Tritium | A vital tool in biomedical research. Used in life science and drug metabolism research to ensure the safety of potential new drugs for self-illuminating aircraft and commercial exit signs for luminous dials, gauges, and wrist watches, as well as geological prospecting and hydrology. |
| Uranium-234 | Used to provide a natural colour and brightness in dental fixtures such as crowns and dentures. |
| Uranium-235 | It is used to make fluorescent glassware, a variety of coloured glazes, and wall tiles, as well as fuel for nuclear power plants and naval nuclear propulsion systems. |
| Xenon-133 | In nuclear medicine, it is used to study lung ventilation and blood flow. |
Recommended Videos
Periodic Table
Frequently Asked Questions on Practical Uses of Isotopes
What are the five applications of isotopes?
Radioactive isotopes have applications in agriculture, food processing, pest control, archaeology, and medicine.
How are isotopes used in medicine?
Medical isotopes are used by doctors to diagnose and treat diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Medical isotopes are created using two overarching technologies: nuclear reactors and particle accelerators.
What role do isotopes play in agriculture?
Radioactive isotopes can also be used to study soil characteristics, such as the uptake and utilisation of essential nutrients by plants.
What role do isotopes play in the food industry?
To increase agricultural yield, radioisotopes were used to produce high yielding crop seeds. Radioisotopes were also used to investigate the function of fertilisers in various plants. Certain radioisotopes’ radiation was also used to kill insects that harmed food grains.
Write any three general applications of isotopes.
- Uranium isotopes are used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
- A cobalt isotope is used in cancer treatment.
- In the treatment of goitre, an isotope of iodine is used.
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