Physics Assignment

Report On Radioactity, Merits and Demerits

Shaama Addul Samad 12D 2422

Introduction
Radioactivity, the process by which the nuclei (cores) of unstable atoms of an element emit radiation (particles of matter and rays of energy), and in so doing become atoms of other elements. It is a property

of certain types of matter. Substances in which radioactivity takes place are called radioactive. The particles and energy given off by these substances are formed of nuclear radiation. In making the emissions, the nucleus of a radioactive atom is said to decay. The radiation of a radioactive substance is harmful to life. Properly used, however, this radiation is extremely useful in science, medicine, agriculture, and industry.

Advantages of radioactivity
Cancer Treatment: Gamma rays are capable of passing deep inside the body and damage cells on their travels. But as well as causing cancer, they can be used to kill off cancer cells and even cure people from this illness. This treatment is called radiotherapy. Cobalt-60 is commonly used to kill cancer cells. The idea is to aim accurately at these cells with the correct strength. Killing Microbes: Gamma rays successfully kill microbes that cause food to decay. So food treated with this radiation have a longer shelf life. Surgical instruments and syringes are also treated with gamma rays, in order, to prevent infections been transferred from patient to patient. Tracers: A Geiger Counter is an instrument that measures radiation. If radioisotopes are added to oil or gas, engineers can follow the radioisotope, and trace any leaks in oil or gas pipes. Carbon Dating: When an animal or plant dies it stops taking in carbon. But its carbon-14 content continues to decay. If we compare the carbon-14 with that from a living thing, and knowing the half-life of carbon-14, the age of animal and plant remains can be calculated. This is known as carbon dating. Dating Rocks: Twelve out of every 1000 potassium atoms is the radioistope potassium-40. Its half life is a staggering twelve thousand years and decays to eventually form the stable argon atom. By measuring the argon content of many rocks that contain potassium, scientists can calculate the age of the rock.

Space Power When solar panels are useless such as in dark sides in space plutonium batteries, batteries that use radiation as power, are used as sources of power.

Research in Biology Radiation allows non- invasive tracking of drugs and elements throughout the body. Food For all the carnivores out their meats like chicken and beef that have been sterilized by irradiation have longer shelf life and is free of E coli, a bacterium that killed children after they ate poorly cooked hamburgers. Electricity Radiation also helped in producing electricity through nuclear plants, 16 % of the worlds electricity is produced in nuclear plants, and in the US 109 nuclear plants contributes 22 % of the power grid. Medical Diagnostics Radiation plays a big role in the medical field from X-rays, MRI's, and raidioactive traces. Xrays let doctors explore Oil Drilling Radioactive isotopes are used to check steam quality and is used to inject in defunct wells to take materials out. Polymerization of Plastics Plastics can be treated radioactively than being heat treated because they are used for dashboards which might crack in high sweaters especially in the summer. Metal Quality Check Metal parts such as turbines can be determined if they are intact by radio-photography instead of cracking them to check.

Disadvantages of radioactivity

Although nuclear chemistry has provided numerous beneficial applications to our society there is also a dark side to nuclear chemistry that was must be aware of. The legacy that nuclear disasters such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl have left us has brought some societies to question the continued use of nuclear energy. Why did these disasters happen? How do we protect ourselves form these types of disasters? How do we dispose of nuclear waste? Why don't we just use coal or petroleum to furnish our energy needs? The use of the atomic bomb to end World War II has been studied and re-evaluated for 50 years since its use in Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Should the US have use the A-bombs? Were there any other choices? No doubt you have heard other stories of people being exposed to nuclear radiation and developing cancer - sometimes in the name of scientific research and medical development. Were these studies ethical? Were they worth it? These questions are all important and of no small significance. We must use the past to teach us valuable lessons about the continued use of nuclear chemistry.

Recommendations
All nuclear facilities are approved and supervised by regulatory authorities because of the potential hazards associated with their operation. In case of an event in such a facility, it must be reported and documented in detail. Following this, an in-depth safety-related evaluation of the event is carried out. Extensive safety regulations must also be observed in the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, e. g. in the dismantling of a nuclear power plant. In order to always keep the state-of-the-art of science and technology when performing this important task, experts co-operate on the national and international level.

Reference
http://science.howstuffworks.com/radioactivity-info.htm mailto:http://www.s-cool.co.uk/gcse/chemistry/radioactivity/revise-it/advantages-anddisadvantages-of-radioactivity http://people.chem.duke.edu/~jds/cruise_chem/nuclear/pros.html https://sites.google.com/site/radiathink/benefits-of-radiation