In this deck, we'll explore the powerful applications of nuclear radiation. We'll start by looking at how it's used in medicine and industry, from treating cancer to ensuring the quality of everyday products. Then, we'll delve into the two most powerful nuclear processes: fission, the splitting of atoms that powers our nuclear reactors, and fusion, the joining of atoms that powers the Sun and all the stars.

One of the most important uses of radiation in medicine is in medical tracers. A radioactive isotope is attached to a chemical that the body uses, and is then injected into or swallowed by the patient. Its journey through the body can be tracked using an external detector. This allows doctors to see how well organs are functioning, for example, by showing if a kidney is blocked.

The choice of isotope for a medical tracer is crucial. It must emit a type of radiation that can pass out of the body to be detected. This means it has to be gamma radiation, as alpha and beta would be absorbed by the body's tissues. The isotope must also have a short half-life, typically just a few hours. This ensures it decays quickly, delivering a low overall dose of radiation to the patient.