Radioactive source
Radioactive Source
A Radioactive Source (pronunciation: /ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv ˈsɔːrs/) is a material that emits radiation. They are used in a variety of areas such as medicine, industry, and research.
Etymology
The term "Radioactive" is derived from the Latin word 'radius' meaning 'ray' and the Greek word 'aktinos' meaning 'ray'. "Source" comes from the Latin word 'surgere' meaning 'to rise'.
Types of Radioactive Sources
There are two main types of radioactive sources: sealed sources and unsealed sources. Sealed sources are those where the radioactive material is permanently sealed in a capsule or bonded and in a solid form, while unsealed sources are those where the radioactive material is in a liquid or unbound state.
Uses in Medicine
In medicine, radioactive sources are used in both the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. For example, radiotherapy uses radioactive sources to kill cancer cells, while radiopharmaceuticals use radioactive sources to diagnose diseases.
Safety and Regulation
Due to the potential hazards associated with radioactive sources, their use is heavily regulated by various organizations such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) internationally.
Related Terms
- Radiation
- Radiotherapy
- Radiopharmaceuticals
- Sealed sources
- Unsealed sources
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- International Atomic Energy Agency
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Radioactive source
- Wikipedia's article - Radioactive source
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