radioisotope

(noun)

A radioactive isotope of an element.

Examples of radioisotope in the following topics:

  • Chemical Assays, Radioisotopic Methods, and Microelectrodes

    • Radioisotopes are specific types of isotopes that emit radioactivity.
    • In the field of microbiology, radioisotopes have been used

  • Radiation

    • The gamma radiation is emitted from a radioisotope (usually cobalt-60 or cesium-137).
    • Use of a radioisotope requires shielding to ensure the safety of the operators while in use and in storage as these radioisotopes continuously emits gamma rays (cannot be turned off).
    • An incident in Decatur, Georgia where water soluble cesium-137 leaked into the source storage pool requiring NRC intervention has led to near elimination of this radioisotope; it has been replaced by the more costly, non-water soluble cobalt-60.
    • Subatomic particles may be more or less penetrating, and may be generated by a radioisotope or a device, depending on the type of particle.

  • Fluorescent Antibodies

    • Fluorescent molecules are used as substitutes for radioisotope or enzyme labels.