CARBON DATING

Carbon-14 is a radioisotope of Carbon. It is produced in the

Earths upper atmosphere when Nitrogen-14 is broken down to
form the unstable Carbon-14 by the action of cosmic rays. The
unstable Carbon-14 is transported down to the lower atmosphere
by atmospheric activity such as storms.
Carbon-14 reacts identically to Carbon-12 and is rapidly oxidised
to form (Carbon-14)Dioxide. Since all living organisms on Earth
are made up of organic molecules that contain Carbon atoms
derived from the atmosphere, they therefore contain Carbon-14
atoms. The Carbon-14 within a living organism is continually
decaying, but as the organism is continuously absorbing Carbon-
14 throughout its life the ratio of Carbon-14 to Carbon-12 atoms
in the organism is the same as the ratio in the atmosphere. Once
an organism dies it stops taking in Carbon in any form. The
unstable Carbon-14 within the organism begins to decay to form
Nitrogen-14 by emitting a beta particle. Over time there is a
gradual decrease in the amount of Carbon-14 and the ratio of
Carbon-14 atoms to other Carbon atoms declines.
MEDICAL APPLICATION

There are many uses of radiation in medicine. The most well

known is using x rays to see whether bones are broken. The broad
area of x-ray use is called radiology. Within radiology, we find
more specialized areas like mammography, computerized
tomography (CT), and nuclear medicine (the specialty where
radioactive material is usually injected into the patient).

TRACERS

Tracers are a common application of radioisotopes. A tracer is a

radioactive element whose pathway through which a chemical
reaction can be followed. Tracers are commonly used in the
medical field and in the study of plants and animals. Radioactive
Iodine-131 can be used to study the function of the thyroid gland
assisting in detecting disease.

NUCLEAR REACTORS

Nuclear reactors are devices that control fission reactions

producing new substances from the fission product and energy.
Recall our discussion earlier about the fission process in the
making of a radioisotope. Nuclear power stations use uranium in
fission reactions as a fuel to produce energy. Steam is generated
by the heat released during the fission process. It is this steam that
turns a turbine to produce electric energy.

FOOD IRRDATION

Food irradiation is the process of exposing foodstuffs to ionizing

radiation. Ionizing radiation is energy that can be transmitted
without direct contact (radiation) capable of
freeing electrons from their atomic bonds (ionization) in the
targeted food.[1][1][2] This treatment is used to preserve food, reduce
the risk of food borne illness, prevent the spread of invasive pests,
and delay or eliminate sprouting or ripening. Irradiated food does
not become radioactive. The radiation can be emitted by
a radioactive substance or generated electrically.

Irradiation is also used for non-food applications, such as medical

devices.[3]