What are the real-world applications of isotopes?

Isotopes are used in various fields such as medicine, archaeology, and energy production.

In the field of medicine, isotopes are used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes. For instance, radioactive isotopes like iodine-131 are used in the treatment of thyroid cancer. The isotope is absorbed by the thyroid gland and the emitted radiation destroys the cancerous cells. Similarly, isotopes like technetium-99m are used in medical imaging to diagnose conditions such as heart disease. The isotope is injected into the patient and its radiation is detected to create images of the body's internal structures.

In archaeology, isotopes play a crucial role in dating artefacts and fossils. Carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, is used in radiocarbon dating. This method is based on the fact that living organisms continuously absorb carbon-14 from the atmosphere, but stop doing so when they die. By measuring the amount of carbon-14 left in a sample, archaeologists can estimate when the organism died, thus providing an age for the artefact or fossil.

In the energy sector, isotopes are used in nuclear reactors to produce electricity. Uranium-235, an isotope of uranium, undergoes nuclear fission to release a large amount of energy. This energy is used to heat water, producing steam that drives turbines to generate electricity.

Isotopes are also used in agriculture to improve crop yields and resist pests. For example, cobalt-60 is used to irradiate seeds, which can make the plants more resistant to diseases. In addition, isotopes are used in environmental studies to track pollution sources and understand climate change. For instance, oxygen-18 and deuterium are used to study past climates by analysing ice cores.

In summary, isotopes have a wide range of applications in various fields, from medicine and archaeology to energy production and environmental studies. Their unique properties make them invaluable tools in these areas.