What Is Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is a very broad term that a great many people don't fully understand. It is a danger to man in large doses but can also be beneficial when properly exploited. Radioactivity is the resulting byproduct of unstable atomic nuclei as they decay. This is most notable in heavy elements in nature like uranium, and the resulting emission of energy is a random process that is often spontaneously generated from the unstable atoms.

Discovery

• Henri Becquerel, a French scientist, discovered radioactivity in 1896. He first noticed it after placing uranium salts on a photographic plate and saw it blacken the plate even in the dark. He used subsequent experiments to learn all that he could about radioactivity, leading the world in the definition and exploration of the subject.

Causes of Radioactivity

• Unstable atoms emit radioactivity as they decay. Certain elements break down more efficiently than others and the energy released is in the form of high-energy waves. Nuclear fission, either spontaneous or planned in a nuclear reactor, can also cause the release of radiation.

Dangers

• Exposure to excessive amounts of radiation can cause damage to an individual on a cellular level. Radioactivity can damage even the very DNA of a person, and that damage can lead to cancers, birth defects, or even death. Past victims of high levels of radiation have experienced abnormally high rates of cancer, leukemia and other diseases. The threat of radioactive fallout and contamination of the atmosphere by a global nuclear war is also a very real possibility and would likely destroy most life on the planet.

Radioactivity in Medicine

• Radiation has played a part in medicine since its discovery. X-rays allow doctors to diagnose diseases by being able to see inside the body without the need for surgery. People who have developed cancer are treated with a type of radiation called radiotherapy, and many even go into remission because of it. Radioactive elements called tracers are also used on some patients. These tracers are purposefully put into a body and then can be tracked by special equipment to help diagnose illness.

Conclusion

• Radioactivity is a part of nature, and something that is actually needed in the world for life to exist. People are exposed to it every day and don't even realize it. The understanding of what radioactivity is and how best to control it is a fundamental science in the world today, and with continued study will come a better understanding of how it can aid mankind.