Download Uses of Radioisotopes

Uses of
Radioisotopes
Based on Chemical
Reactivity
• Tracers - used to follow the path
of a chemical reaction (Carbon 14)
Based on Radioactivity
• Medical Uses
–Tc-99 -- Determine the location
of brain tumors
– I -131 -- Diagnosis of thyroid
disturbances
–Co - 60 -- Used in cancer therapy
Food preservation -Radiation can be used to
destroy bacteria, molds,
etc.
Based on Half-Life
• Dating
– Geological Ratio of U-238 to Pb
206
–Organic Ratio of C-14 to C-12