Radioactivity
Radioactivity is spontaneous change of the nuclei of radioactive atoms, which in turn emits radiation. Radioactivity is the property exhibited by the radioactive isotopes of stable elements and all isotopes of radioactive elements, and can be either natural or artificial (man made). All isotopes of atomic weight 210 and greater are radioactive. Alpha, beta, and gamma radiation are ionizing in their effect and are therefore dangerous to body tissues, especially if a radioactive substanceis ingested or inhaled. Natural Radioactivity is energy generated by those radioactive elements that exist in the Earth's crust. Radioactivity in nature comes from two main sources, terrestrial and cosmic. Terrestrial radioisotopes are found on the earth that came into existence with the creation of the planet. Although some are long gone, some radioisotopes take a long time to decay and become non-radioactive (on the order of hundreds of millions of years) and are still around today. Radioactive elements found in rock, soil, water, air, and in food from the earth make there way in our bodies when we drink water, breath air or eat foods, which contain them. These naturally occurring radioisotopes such as carbon-14, p
There are many uses of radioactive isotopes that assist us in our everyday lives. Here are just are just two examples: The problem concerning this type of energy capture is that is in on a very small scale. For example, carbon-14 takes about 5,730 years for half the material to decay; another 5,730 for half of the remaining half to decay; then 5,730 years for half of that remaining half to decay, and so on. Plutonium-239, one of the most toxic of all radioactive substances, has a half-life of about 24,000 years. As well as being very expensive the main problem with Nuclear energy is that it can be serious hazard to mankind if it is not used and recycled properly. In theory, the decay process is never complete and there is always some residual radioactivity. For this reason, the half-life of a radioactive isotope is measured, rather than the total decay time. Nuclear Energy as indicated above is the most powerful source of energy known to man.
Some topics in this essay:
Energy Nuclear,
Nuclear Energy,
Radioactive Isotopes,
Fusion Nuclear,
Natural Radioactivity,
Decay Alpha,
Radiation Gamma,
Half Life,
Series Radioactivity,
Wastes Hazardous,
nuclear energy,
gamma radiation,
alpha particles,
radioactive isotopes,
energy nuclear,
radioactive elements,
beta particles,
radioactive substances,
magnetic electric fields,
hazardous waste,
beta decay,
energy nuclear energy,
5730 half remaining,
remaining half decay,
decay 5730 half,
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Approximate Word count = 1854
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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