B+Ernest+Rutherford

=__​Isotope and Radioactivity__= = = =Name of radioactive isotope/electromagnetic radiation/scientist: Ernest Rutherford= = = = = =Explanation of interesting facts: (how used/works.experiments/discoveries) =  1. Ernest Rutherford won the Nobel Prize in 1908 in Chemistry for his discoveries on the radioactive substances. He was delighted to tell his friends that the fastest transformation he knew was the transformation for a physicist to a chemist.  2. He discovered alpha and beta rays and identified alpha particles as helium nuclei.

3. He figured out the nuclear structure of the atom by conducting various experiments in his laboratory. His reports showed that when alpha particles are fired into gas atoms, a few are violently deflected, which showed that alpha particles had a dense, positively charged central region containing most of the atomic mass.

4. He also found out that all known radioactive elements emit two kinds of radiation: positively and negatively charged, or alpha and beta radiations. He was able to discover the half-life of radioactive elements and that the elements became stable over time.

5. Rutherford was an energetic researcher. In his 70 year life time, he published 80 papers about his discoveries.

 =3 Advantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/benefits of discovery =  1. Alpha paticles are used in a cancer treatment. They help get rid of the body's abnormal cells that are cause by cancer. It is mostly used when focusing on one small and precise area because alpha rays have a smaller travel distance and are easier to maintain than beta particles.

2. Beta particles are ideal for areas of cancer that are spread out and inconsistent. Because they have farther travel distances and have a lower damage level than alpha particles, they are relied upon to treat a wider range of cancer locations without the risk of having an extreme damage to the healthy cells.

3. Alpha particles provide a safe power source for radioisotope thermoelectric generators which is used for space probes.

=3 Disadvantages of using the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery: =  1. Alpha-emitting materials can be harmful to humans if the materials are inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the wounds. They damage the living tissues.

2. Overexposure to beta radiation can cause chronic effects. They develop relatively slowly between 5 to 30 years. The main health effect from the radiation is cancer. When taken internally, beta radiation can cause tissue damage and increase the risk of getting cancer.

3. Beta radiation can penetrate into human skin. They may damage the new skin cells if high levels of beta-emitting contaminants remain in the skin for a long period of time. This may cause skin injury. Overexposure to the radiation can also cause severe hair loss, extreme weakness, nausea, and diminished organ function. 

Yes, Ernest Rutherford's discoveries are still used today because as time went on, with more advanced technologies, scientists were able to determine that Rutherford's theory was correct. His discovery about half-life is used to discover the age of a tree, and is used to compare the rate of radioactive decay for an isotope. Scientists were able to discover that the shorter half-life had the faster decay rate. Alpha and beta radiation are used to treat cancer and are still studied to discover a permanent cure for cancer.
 * Is the radioactive isotope/radiation/discovery still used today? Explain**

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