Uses of nuclear radiation

• State two uses of nuclear radiation in the field of medicine

  • examining of internal organs
  • controlling and destroying unwanted tissue
• How is radiation used in sterilisation?

  gamma emitters are used to kill bacteria/parasites on equipment
• Explain the process of radiotherapy

  • Gamma emitters direct gamma rays at the cancerous cells
  • the cancerous cells absorb the radiation and are killed
• How are medical tracers chosen?

  • They should have a short half life and decay into a stable isotope which can be excreted
  • They should only release gamma radiation since it is weakly ionising and can easily pass through body tissue without damaging it