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Related Concept Videos

Types of Radioactivity03:23

Types of Radioactivity

The most common types of radioactivity are α decay, β decay, γ decay, neutron emission, and electron capture.
Alpha (α) decay is the emission of an α particle from the nucleus. For example, polonium-210 undergoes α decay:
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating02:48

Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating

Radioactivity is a spontaneous disintegration of an unstable nuclide and is a random process, as all the nuclei in the sample do not decay simultaneously. The number of disintegrations per unit time is called the activity (A), which is directly proportional to the number of nuclei in the sample. The decay constant (λ) is an average probability of decay per nucleus in unit time.
Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations03:18

Radioactivity and Nuclear Equations

Nuclear chemistry is the study of reactions that involve changes in nuclear structure. The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and, except for hydrogen, neutrons. The number of protons in the nucleus is called the atomic number (Z) of the element, and the sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are isotopes of the same element.
A nuclide of an element has a specific number of protons and...
Isotopes and Radioisotopes01:28

Isotopes and Radioisotopes

In the early 1900s, English chemist Frederick Soddy realized that an element could have atoms with different masses that were chemically indistinguishable. These different types are called isotopes — atoms of the same element that differ in mass. Isotopes differ in mass because they have different numbers of neutrons but are chemically identical because they have the same number of protons. Soddy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1921 for this discovery.
An isotope containing more...
Nuclear Stability03:18

Nuclear Stability

Protons and neutrons, collectively called nucleons, are packed together tightly in a nucleus. With a radius of about 10−15 meters, a nucleus is quite small compared to the radius of the entire atom, which is about 10−10 meters. Nuclei are extremely dense compared to bulk matter, averaging 1.8 × 1014 grams per cubic centimeter. If the earth’s density were equal to the average nuclear density, the earth’s radius would be only about 200 meters.
To hold positively charged protons together in the...
Positron Emission Tomography01:29

Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique involving radiopharmaceuticals — substances that emit short-lived radiation. Although the first PET scanner was introduced in 1961, it took 15 more years before radiopharmaceuticals were combined with the technique and revolutionized its potential.
One of the main requirements of a PET scan is a positron-emitting radioisotope, which is produced in a cyclotron and then attached to a substance used by the part of the body being...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
10:42

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

Published on: May 3, 2019

Beta decay in science and medicine.

James S Welsh1

  • 1Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. welsh@humonc.wisc.edu

American Journal of Clinical Oncology
|September 1, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Beta-emitting radioisotopes are crucial in oncology for diagnosis and treatment. Their applications range from PET imaging to targeted therapies and brachytherapy, enhancing cancer care.

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear physics
  • Oncology
  • Medical imaging

Background:

  • Beta-emitting radioisotopes are fundamental in scientific and medical applications, especially in oncology.
  • Positron emission, a form of beta plus decay, is central to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.
  • Gamma rays emitted by daughter nuclei are also valuable in radiation therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the history, physics, and applications of beta emitters.
  • To highlight the significance of beta emitters in modern oncology.
  • To discuss their roles in diagnosis, treatment, and therapy planning.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical data and fundamental physics principles.
  • Analysis of current applications in clinical oncology.

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Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function
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Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

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Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains
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Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains

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Last Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
10:42

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh

Published on: May 3, 2019

Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function
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Continuous Blood Sampling in Small Animal Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Measurement of the Arterial Input Function

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Measurement of mRNA Decay Rates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using rpb1-1 Strains

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  • Description of representative beta-emitting radioisotopes.

    • Main Results:

    • Beta emitters are versatile, used in diagnostic imaging (PET) and therapeutic interventions.
    • Applications include radioimmunotherapy, bone-seeking therapies, and brachytherapy.
    • Gamma emission from daughter nuclei supports brachytherapy and teletherapy.

    Conclusions:

    • Beta-emitting radioisotopes are indispensable tools in basic science and clinical oncology.
    • Their diverse applications continue to advance cancer diagnosis and treatment.
    • Continued research promises further innovations in beta-emitter utilization.