Uses of radiation

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  • Created by: buneme
  • Created on: 15-05-15 20:33
Smoke Detectors
A weak source of alpha radiation is placed in the detector close to two electrodes. Source causes ionization and current flows between electrodes. Fire smoke absorbs radiation, stopping current and so alarm sounds.
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Tracers in Medicine
Short half-life beta or gamma emitters are used so they pass out the body. Certain radioactive isotopes are injected into people; their progress around body is followed. An example is iodine-131, absorbed by thyroid gland but radioactive.
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Radiotherapy - treating cancer cells using
High doses of gamma rays kill all living cells, so used to treat cancer. Rays directed carefully and at right dosage to kill cancer cells only. Some damage is inevitable, and patient can feel very ill.
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Sterilisation of Food and Surgical Instruments using
High doses of gamma rays kill microbes on food,keeping food fresh for longer. Medical instruments sterilized same way,rather then boiling.Food isn't damaged as no high temperatures.Isotope needs emit gamma rays strongly with reasonably long half-life
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Short half-life beta or gamma emitters are used so they pass out the body. Certain radioactive isotopes are injected into people; their progress around body is followed. An example is iodine-131, absorbed by thyroid gland but radioactive.

Back

Tracers in Medicine

Card 3

Front

High doses of gamma rays kill all living cells, so used to treat cancer. Rays directed carefully and at right dosage to kill cancer cells only. Some damage is inevitable, and patient can feel very ill.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

High doses of gamma rays kill microbes on food,keeping food fresh for longer. Medical instruments sterilized same way,rather then boiling.Food isn't damaged as no high temperatures.Isotope needs emit gamma rays strongly with reasonably long half-life

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

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Back

Preview of the back of card 5

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