products. Certain perishable cereals exposed to radiations remain fresh beyond their normal life, enhancing the storage time. Very small doses of radiation prevent sprouting and spoilage of onions, potatoes and gram. .
. Medicine Medical applications of radio isotopes can be divided into two parts: i) Diagnosis ii) Therapy Radio isotopes are used as tracers to diagnose the nature of circulatory disorders of blood, defects of bone metabolism, to locate tumors, etc. Some of the radio isotopes which are used as tracers are: hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, etc. • Radio sodium (Na ) is used for the effective functioning of heart.
• Radio – Iodine (I ) is used to cure goiter. • Radio-iron is (Fe ) is used to diagnose anaemia and also to provide treatment for the same. • Radio phosphorous (P ) is used in the treatment of skin diseases. Table .
Features of Nuclear fission and nuclear fusion S.No. NUCLEAR FISSION NUCLEAR FUSION The process of breaking up (splitting) of a heavy nucleus into two smaller nuclei is called 'nuclear fission' . Nuclear fusion is the combination of two lighter nuclei to form a heavier nucleus. Can be performed at room temperature.
Extremely high temperature and pressure is needed. Alpha, beta and gamma radiations are emitted. Alpha rays, positrons, and neutrinos are emitted. Fission leads to emission of gamma radiation.
This triggers the mutation in the human gene and causes genetic transform diseases. Only light and heat energy is emitted. Nuclear physics • Radio cobalt (Co ) and radio-gold (Au ) are used in the treatment of skin cancer. • Radiations are used to sterilize the surgical devices as they can kill the germs and microbes.
. . Industries In industries, radioactive isotopes are used as tracers to detect any manufacturing defects such as cracks and leaks. Packaging faults can also be identified through radio activity.
Gauges, which have radioactive sources are used in many industries to check the level of gases, liquids and solids. An isotope of californium (Cf )