Question

give any one use of isotopes?

Answer 1

There are many applications of isotopes in medical, scientific research, industrial fields.  Detection of adulteration of foods and their geographic regions of origin can be done. Mechanisms of chemical reactions can be studied using isotopic substitution.  This is by using Kinetic isotope effect.

They are used for quantifying proteins.   Radioisotopic labeling process uses radioactive isotopes. 

They are used to determine concentrations of elements or compounds using isotope dilution method.

Radiography makes use of isotopes.

Radiometric dating process using half-life period is used to determine age of various materials. Radiocarbon dating is an example.  Age of stones is determined this way. Also composition of meteorites from space is also analysed by using isotopes.

Nuclear magnetic spectroscopy uses isotopes.
Nuclear power  (electricity generation) makes use of isotopes.

Nuclear weapons are also dependent on isotopes. Radiation (gamma rays) from isotopes is used to sterilize medical instruments (syringes, bandages etc) and food also. Sterilizing cosmetics and contact lens cleaning solution is also done by isotopes.

There is a field of nuclear medicine.  There is radiation oncology (radiation therapy) to treat cancer using radioisotopes. Thus isotopes are used to diagnose illness and cure it too.

Tumors and blood clots are detected using Sodium isotopes. Iodine 131 is used to investigate the disorders related to thyroid glands.  Plutonium 238 is used for nuclear batteries to produce tiny electric shocks / pulses.

Integrity (quality) checks of welding that is done on metal pipes, tanks, jet engines is done using them.  Thickness of paper and thin plastic is estimated using isotopes.
Controlling the density of mixtures, detecting explosives in baggage and to detect lead in paints is also done by isotopes.

Isotopes can be used to cause mutation in insects, to make insects sterile or to kill them.  That means pest control mechanism. P-32 isotope in Phosphate fertilizers can be used to detect the metabolism of phosphorus element by plans.

Geiger Miller counter is used to detect C-14 isotope in plants and its passage along parts of the plant during photosynthesis.

Answer 2

Isotopes are atoms of the same element , with same atomic no: and different mass numbers.

Example : Carbon - 12 and Carbon - 14 isotopes.




Applications in medical field :-

-->An isotope of iodine is used in the treatment of goiter. Goitre is a disease which is caused due to the less amount of iodine in the food which we intake.

-->An isotope of cobalt is used in the treatment of cancer.