Elements, Radioactive
| Definition: |
Elements which exhibit atomic emission due to natural or artificial nuclear transformation. These elements spontaneously undergo radioactive decay. |
| Notes: |
GEN; prefer specifics; these are naturally radioactive |
Elements, Radioactive Categories.
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Astatine - Astatine. A radioactive halogen with the atomic symbol At, atomic number 85, and atomic weight 210. Its isotopes range in mass number from 200 to 219 and all have an extremely short half-life. Astatine may be of use in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. |
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Francium - Francium. A radioactive alkali metal with the atomic symbol Fr, atomic number 87, and atomic weight 223. The mass numbers of other known isotopes are 204-213, 217-222, and 224. Its valence is +1. |
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Promethium - Promethium. A radioactive element of the rare earth family of metals. It has the atomic symbol Pm, atomic number 61, and atomic weight 147. It has been used in the construction of atomic batteries, in the preparation of self-luminous compounds, and as a beta-particle source for thickness gauges. |
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Radium - Radium. A radioactive element of the alkaline earth series of metals. It has the atomic symbol Ra, atomic number 88, and atomic weight 226. Radium is the product of the disintegration of uranium and is present in pitchblende and all ores containing uranium. It is used clinically as a source of beta and gamma-rays in radiotherapy, particularly BRACHYTHERAPY. |
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Radon - Radon. A naturally radioactive element with atomic symbol Rn, atomic number 86, and atomic weight 222. It is a member of the noble gas family and released during the decay of radium and found in soil. There is a link between exposure to radon and lung cancer. |
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Technetium - The first artificially produced element and a radioactive fission product of URANIUM. Technetium has the atomic symbol Tc, atomic number 43, and atomic weight 98.91. All technetium isotopes are radioactive. Technetium 99m (m=metastable) which is the decay product of Molybdenum 99, has a half-life of about 6 hours and is used diagnostically as a radioactive imaging agent. Technetium 99 which is a decay product of technetium 99m, has a half-life of 210,000 years. |
Elements, Radioactive Definitions and Terms
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