Packages.com – Definition, history of radioactivity and its benefits and impacts – Radioactivity or radioactive refers to particles emitted from the nucleus as a result of nuclear instability. Since the atomic nucleus is subject to intense conflict between the two strongest forces in nature, it is not surprising that many nuclear isotopes are unstable and emit some kind of radiation.
Unstable atomic nuclei will immediately decompose to form nuclei with higher stability. The decomposition process is called radioactivity. The energy and particles released during the decomposition process can be called radiation. When unstable atomic nuclei decompose in nature, this process is known as natural radioactivity. Then the unstable nucleus is prepared in the laboratory, and its decomposition is called induced radioactivity.
Definition of Radioactive
Radioactive is a radioactive atom that contains energy that continues to flow directly as a sub-atomic particle of electromagnetic energy. Emission is also known as radiation. Radioactive material exists naturally from the earth which is the reason why the warm interior of the earth has been continuously produced in the atmosphere by cosmic rays. So humans make radioactive material by causing nuclear reactions and particle accelerators.
There are some radioactive materials giving off energy quickly, and others releasing it slowly. The pathway for the release of energy is quantified through the material’s half-life, which is the time half an atom initially releases only its energy. For example, if you start with 100 radioactive atoms with a half-life of 1 minute, the other 50 atoms will emit energy after 1 minute. And after 2 minutes remaining 25 minutes and so on as well.
As applied to nuclear energy, many of the materials created during the operation of a reactor are radioactive. As the materials decompose, they emit radiation. Because the energy carried by this radiation is often sufficient to cause damage to biological cells and therefore pose a health risk. Thus, radiation is a major cause of waste and safety problems associated with nuclear energy.
Radioactive History
Radioactivity was first discovered in 1896 by a French scientist, Henri Becquerel, while he was working with fluorescent materials. These materials glow in the dark upon exposure to light, and he suspects that the emission produced in the cathode ray tube by X-rays may be related to their glow.
Becquerel had wrapped the photo plate in black paper and placed various sparkling salts on it. All results were negative until he used uranium salts. Uranium salts cause the plate to blacken even though the plate is wrapped in black paper. This radiation is called “Becquerel Rays”.
Radioactive Benefits
1. Medical field
The use of radioactive substances is useful for the health sector because there are so many, and millions of people in this world have survived because of this radioactive use. Examples such as X-rays to destroy tumors in the body or for bone photos. Based on some of the radiation:
Radiation in certain doses that can kill micro-organisms so that it can be used for sterilization of medical equipment. Sterilization with radiation has several advantages when compared to conventional sterilization (which uses chemicals), namely:
- Radiation sterilization is more perfect in killing micro-organisms in cells.
- Radiation sterilization will not leave chemical residues that damage cells
- Because when the radioactive substance is finished being prepared, it is packaged and then sterilized, so it is impossible for the device to be contaminated with bacteria again until the package is opened. In contrast to the conventional method, which is sterilized first and then packaged, in the packaging process there is still the possibility of being exposed to germs during the packaging process.
Various types of tumors or cancers can be treated with x-ray radiation. Actually, normal cells and cancer cells can be damaged by radiation but cancer cells or tumors are more sensitive (more easily damaged).
Therefore, cancer cells or tumors can die by directing radiation precisely at the cancer cells. So that it can cure cancer cells in the human body
- Determination of Bone Density with a Bone Densitometer
Measurement of bone density is done by irradiating the bones with gamma radiation or X-rays. Based on the amount of gamma radiation or X-rays that will be absorbed by the bone to be examined, the concentration of calcium minerals in the bones can be determined. Calculations were carried out by a computer mounted on the bone densitometer. This technique is useful to help diagnose bone loss (osteoporosis) which often affects women at the age of menopause (menopausal).
2. Hydrology Bidang
- You can study the speed of the river flow
- You can investigate underground water pipe leaks.
3. Biological Field
- You can learn dynamic balance
- You can study the esterification reaction
- You can also study the mechanism of photosynthesis in leaves
4. Agriculture
- In agriculture, pest control using sterile male techniques, for example: Cabbage pests
- And the restoration of plants or the formation of superior seeds, examples such as: Paddy
- And also in food storage so that it cannot germinate, for example: potatoes and onions.
5. Industry
- Radioactive is also used in the industrial sector when you are carrying out a non-destructive inspection, for example: Checking for defects in metal
- Radioactive can control the thickness of the material, for example: Paper film, metal plate
- On the preservation of materials, examples such as: wood, art goods
- Improving the quality of textiles, for example: changing the structure of textile fibers
- And you can use radioactivity to study the effect of oil and additives on the engine while the engine is running.
Radioactive Effect
The effects of radioactivity generated by radioactivity on the human body are as follows:
- Like the head feels dizzy or has a headache
- Feeling decreased or lost appetite
- Excessive diarrhea occurs
- Body temperature feels hot or fever
- Drastic weight loss
- Having blood cancer or leukemia
- Can Increase human heart rate or pulse
- Causes the immune system to decrease so that the body is susceptible to disease and as a result the white blood cells that come out will decrease in number.
Thus a review of the understanding, history of radioactivity along with its benefits and effects on all fields of human resource work, hopefully the reviews that the admin has shared can be useful for those of you who have read the reviews that the admin has shared to completion and thank you for visiting.
