Application of Nuclear Application of Nuclear ChemistryChemistry

Cancer Treatment – Cancer cells are Cancer Treatment – Cancer cells are more susceptible to radiation bc more susceptible to radiation bc they are fast growing. Thyroid they are fast growing. Thyroid cancer can be treated with Ir-192 or cancer can be treated with Ir-192 or Co-60. Co-60.

Food Preservation – Strawberries are Food Preservation – Strawberries are exposed to Co-60. This kills most of exposed to Co-60. This kills most of the bacteria and mold on the food. the bacteria and mold on the food.

Radioisotope – an isotope Radioisotope – an isotope that is radioactive. that is radioactive.

Half-life – The amount of time Half-life – The amount of time it takes for ½ of a sample of a it takes for ½ of a sample of a radioactive isotope to decay. radioactive isotope to decay. (1/2 of the radioactive atoms)(1/2 of the radioactive atoms)

Ex. 90Sr = 28.8 yrs Ex. 90Sr = 28.8 yrs

Radiocarbon DatingRadiocarbon Dating

uses carbon-14uses carbon-14 carbon-14 is radioactivecarbon-14 is radioactive half-life is 5730 yrshalf-life is 5730 yrs Produced naturally from reaction Produced naturally from reaction

between N-14 and cosmic raysbetween N-14 and cosmic rays Rate of production carbon-14 = Rate of production carbon-14 =

rate of decay of carbon-14rate of decay of carbon-14

Nuclear Bombardment Nuclear Bombardment Reactions Reactions

Process used to make stable nuclei Process used to make stable nuclei unstable by bombarding nucleus with unstable by bombarding nucleus with a stream of particles Usually a stream of particles Usually neutrons neutrons

Have to be fast because nucleus is Have to be fast because nucleus is positive and particles are positive. positive and particles are positive. Makes this hard to do. Makes this hard to do.

Byproducts are electrons Byproducts are electrons

FissionFission

A large nucleus is split into 2 smaller A large nucleus is split into 2 smaller nuclei or approximately equal mass. nuclei or approximately equal mass.

U-235 releases 3 neutrons. U-235 releases 3 neutrons. If this continues a chain reaction will If this continues a chain reaction will

occur. occur.

Measuring RadiationMeasuring Radiation

Dosimeter – Measures the total Dosimeter – Measures the total amount of radiation that a amount of radiation that a person has received. A badge person has received. A badge with a piece of film is worn, if the with a piece of film is worn, if the film is developed, the person has film is developed, the person has been exposed to radiation been exposed to radiation

RadiationRadiation

Alpha particles – weakest of all Alpha particles – weakest of all particles Can be written as a helium particles Can be written as a helium nucleusnucleus

Beta – medium strength can also be Beta – medium strength can also be written as an electronwritten as an electron

Gamma – strongest type of radiation. Gamma – strongest type of radiation. Affects electrons in the body. Affects electrons in the body.

REMREM

Used to measure radiation exposure Used to measure radiation exposure in humansin humans

Includes BOTH the amount of energy Includes BOTH the amount of energy transferred by radiation AND the transferred by radiation AND the sensitivity of the body to that type of sensitivity of the body to that type of radiation.radiation.

Leukemia – Most common type of Leukemia – Most common type of cancer caused by radiation. cancer caused by radiation.