Phosphorus+32!

=__Isotope and Radioactivity__= = = =Name of radioactive isotope: PHOSPHORUS 32!=0=

= = = = Explanation of interesting facts: (how used/works.experiments/discoveries)
 * 1) used in agriculture to make that the plants take in the phosphorus
 * 2) used to trace and identify cancer tumours
 * 3) can be used to treat leukemia
 * 4) added to tires when they are made so that the radiation it gives off can be used to find how quickly the tire wears out
 * 5) used to study microbiology and DNA - was used in the 1956 discovery of RNA

=4 Advantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/benefits of discovery=

1. Emits beta particles, which go through plant tissues so that scientists can track phosphorus movement.

2. Cancer cells normally take in extra phosphorus, so they can be identified by the products of phosphorus 32's radiation.

3. It has a short half-life (around 14 days)

4. It is cheaper than Phosphorus 33 =2 Disadvantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery:= 1. Beta particles are high energy (obviously) and can cause skin contamination

2. Produces radioactive waste (though low level radioactivity)

=Is the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery still used today? Explain= Phosphorus 32 is still used today, mainly in medicine either for discovery of tumours or for cancer treatment. =References:= http://www.brittanica.com http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/L-P/Phosphorus.html http://www.ornl.gov/info/ornlreview/v37_3_04/article12.shtml =Diagram/image (include source and caption)= Elliot "Ken" Volken - one of the scientists who used phosphorus 32 to discover "DNA-like RNA" ([])