Question

Write the uses of radioactive substances.

Answer 1

Radioactive substances find various application in various fields.
- They are used as a fuel in nuclear reactors to generate power.
- They are used in controlling the thickness of paper, plastic and metal sheets during their manufacturing.
- They are used in the manufacturing of luminescent paints and objects which show radioluminance. For example, substances such as radium, promethium etc. are used to make objects which glow in the dark like hands of clock. Similarly, krypton-85 is used in high intensity discharge lamps.
- In medical science, they can be used for detection of cancer, treatment of hyperthyroidism and bone cancer.
- In agricultural field they are used in food preservation, prevention of sprouting in onions and potatoes etc.