Category: Unit 5

Dec 05

Pharmaceutical applications of radioactive substances

Pharmaceutical applications of radioactive substances, also known as radiopharmaceuticals, involve the use of radioactive isotopes in medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These substances are crucial in nuclear medicine, providing valuable information about physiological processes, disease detection, and targeted treatments. Here are key pharmaceutical applications: 1. Diagnostic Imaging Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT): Radiopharmaceuticals emitting […]

Dec 05

Sodium Iodide I-131: Storage Conditions and Precautions

Introduction of Sodium Iodide I-131 Sodium Iodide I-131 (NaI-131) is a radioactive isotope of iodine, belonging to the halogen group of elements. It plays a crucial role in nuclear medicine, where it is used for both diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications. Due to its unique radioactive decay properties, NaI-131 is particularly effective in targeting and […]

Dec 05

Radio isotopes and study of radio isotopes

Radioisotopes, or radioactive isotopes, are isotopes of chemical elements that exhibit radioactivity. These isotopes have unstable nuclei, leading them to undergo spontaneous radioactive decay, emitting particles or energy in the process. The radioactivity of these isotopes makes them valuable in various scientific, medical, industrial, and environmental applications. Key Characteristics 1. Unstable Nuclei: Radioisotopes have nuclei […]

Dec 05

Half-life of a radioactive substance

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time required for half of the atoms in a given sample to undergo radioactive decay. It is a crucial concept in nuclear physics, medicine, archaeology, and environmental science, as it helps determine the rate of decay of radioactive elements and their persistence in different environments. Definition of […]

Dec 05

Properties of Alpha (α), Beta (β), and Gamma (γ) Radiations

1. Nature Alpha (α): Consists of helium nuclei (2 protons and two neutrons). Beta (β): Involves high-energy electrons (β⁻) or positrons (β⁺) emitted from the nucleus during a process of neutron-proton conversion. Gamma (γ): Electromagnetic radiation similar to X-rays but with higher energy. 2. Charge Alpha (α): Positively charged. Beta (β): Negatively charged (β⁻) or […]

Dec 05

Measurement of radioactivity

Radioactivity measurement involves quantifying the amount of radioactive material and the intensity of radiation emitted. Various instruments and techniques are used for this purpose. Here are some commonly used methods for measuring radioactivity: 1. Geiger-Muller Counters Principle: Geiger-Muller counters detect ionizing radiation by counting the number of electrical pulses produced when ionizing particles pass through […]

Dec 05

Radiopharmaceuticals- Radioactivity

Radiopharmaceuticals are pharmaceutical formulations containing radionuclides (radioactive isotopes) that emit gamma rays or positrons. Nuclear medicine designs these compounds to diagnose or treat various medical conditions. Radiopharmaceuticals incorporate a biologically active molecule (typically a drug or a biological targeting molecule) with a radioactive isotope, creating a compound that imaging techniques can trace within the body. […]