Radioactivity is the process by which an unstable atom loses energy by emitting ionizing radiation such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Nuclear medicine uses radioactive substances and radiation detection for diagnosis and treatment. Radiation therapy uses radiation, either externally or internally from radioactive sources, to control cancer cells. Radioactive dating provides information about the age of the Earth and evolutionary changes, and radioactive tracers have applications in food irradiation, paper production, and nuclear power generation.

2. RADIOACTIVITY

3. radioactivity, is the process by which
a nucleus of an unstable atom loses energy
by emitting ionizing radiation. A material
that spontaneously emits this kind of
radiation—which includes the emission
of alpha particles, beta particles,
and gamma rays—is considered radioactive.

4. The principles of radioactivity and radioactive
decay have wide-ranging applications in
medicine, industry, the home, the arts and
sciences, and electric power generation.

5. Nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine is a branch of medicine and medical
imaging that uses the nuclear properties of matter in
diagnosis and therapy. Many procedures in nuclear
medicine use pharmaceuticals that have been labeled
with radionuclide's (radiopharmaceuticals). In
diagnosis, radioactive substances are administered to
patients and the radiation emitted is measured.

6. Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is the
medical use of ionizing radiation as part of
cancer treatment to control malignant cells.
The radiation may be given in the form of
external beam radiotherapy of high-energy
electrons or X-rays, or it may come from
radioactive sources placed inside the patient.

7. Foodstuffs can be irradiated to extend shelf life
or reduce the numbers of harmful bacteria.
In paper mills, the thickness of the paper can be
controlled by measuring how much beta
radiation passes through the paper to a Geiger
counter. The counter controls the pressure of the
rollers to give the correct thickness.

8. Radioactive dating is the principal source of
information about the age of the Earth and
rates of evolutionary change, and is used to
estimate the age of once–living materials.

9. Nuclear power is a type of nuclear technology
involving the controlled use of nuclear fission to
release energy for work including propulsion,
heat, and the generation of electricity. Nuclear
energy is produced by a controlled nuclear chain
reaction and creates heat—which is used to boil
water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine

10. Gamma rays are capable of passing deep
inside the body and damage cells on their
travels. But as well as causing cancer, they
can be used to kill off cancer cells and even
cure people from this illness. This treatment
is called radiotherapy. Cobalt-60 is
commonly used to kill cancer cells.

12. Soumya m s
Physical science
Reg no:13971026
Kucte kumarapuram