Radioactive material
Radioactive Material
Radioactive material (pronunciation: /ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv məˈtɪəriəl/) refers to substances that emit radiation due to the instability of their atomic nuclei.
Etymology
The term "radioactive" is derived from the Latin word 'radius', meaning 'ray', and the Greek word 'aktinos', meaning 'ray'. The term "material" comes from the Latin 'materia', meaning 'substance'.
Definition
Radioactive materials are substances that contain unstable atomic nuclei which decay, emitting ionizing radiation in the process. This radiation can be in the form of alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, or neutrons.
Types of Radioactive Material
There are many types of radioactive materials, including:
- Uranium: A heavy metal that is naturally radioactive. It is used in nuclear power plants and in the production of nuclear weapons.
- Plutonium: A synthetic radioactive element that is produced in nuclear reactors. It is used in the production of nuclear weapons and as a fuel in some types of nuclear reactors.
- Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of uranium in soil and rock. It is a health hazard when inhaled.
Uses of Radioactive Material
Radioactive materials have many uses in medicine, industry, and research. For example, they are used in radiation therapy to treat cancer, in radiological imaging to diagnose diseases, and in nuclear power generation.
Safety and Regulation
The use, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials are regulated by various international and national agencies to protect human health and the environment. These include the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the United States.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Radioactive material
- Wikipedia's article - Radioactive material
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