Radioactive Isotope Materials

By Derek Hirsch and Michael Sandemeier

What is a Radioactive Isotope Material?

A radionuclide/radioisotope is an atom with an unstable nucleus, which is a nucleus characterized by excess energy which is available to be imparted either to a newly-created radiation particle within the nucleus, or else to an atomic electron. The radionuclide, in this process, undergoes radioactive decay, and emits a gamma ray(s) and/or subatomic particles. These particles constitute ionizing radiation. Radionuclide's may occur naturally, but can also be artificially produced.

Benefits and Uses

Radioactive Isotope materials have a wide range of uses which benefit our society. A few examples of these benefits are smoke detectors, radioactive tracers (agricultural), food irrigation, irradiation in pest control, archaeological dating, and many medical uses.