Physics task
1. Introduction
Nuclear radiation describes the process whereby unstable atomic nuclei release energy
in the form of particles or waves. After discovery of nuclear radiation it has been used in
various capacities in enhancing numerous fields including medicine, energy, industry
and farming. On the other hand, nuclear technology has numerous disadvantages most
of which are the negative effects on the environment, health impacts, and creation of
tensions between countries. Whereas, Nuclear radiation is powerful as well as accurate,
and it is for this reason that nuclear technology has been of great importance in dealing
with issues affecting the world such as diseases, energy, and food.
2. Application of Nuclear Radiation
2.1 Medical Applications
It is widely known that the application of nuclear radiation to medicine is one of the most
significant benefits that are derived from nuclear energy. Nuclear medicine is the branch
of medicine that utilizes small amounts of radioactive materials (radiopharmaceuticals) to
help provide information about the function of a person’s specific organs or tissues.
Other uses include diagnostic imaging using, for instance Positron Emission
Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), which
depends on radiopharmaceuticals to produce internal body images of the internal body
organs and tissues.
Radiotherapy in cancer treatment involves the use of high energy radiation in the
treatment of the affected area with the least harm to the healthy cells.An actual-life
example is utilization of the brachytherapy when treating prostate cancer by inserting the
radioactive seeds into the tumor.
2.2 Energy Production
Nuclear radiation is also used in power generation especially by using nuclear fission in
which atomic nuclei are divided to produce power. This energy is used to generate power
in nuclear power stations. The use of Nuclear energy is regarded as a possible savior to
the energy crisis, it offers a stable and clean source of power compared to the
hydrocarbons.
Nuclear power has many developed countries in their embrace with nuclear reactors
seen to play a strategic role in electricity production in countries like France, Japan and
the United States. For instance, France produces more than 70% of electricity from
nuclear energy, which can be therefore referred to as close to a leader in the terms of
low-carbon electricity generation.
2.3 Industrial Applications
uses in industries such as in quality assurance, in sterilization and in preservation of
foods. In aerospace or manufacturing, radiation dose is employed for inspection that
does not harm the object in question namely non-destructive testing (NDT). For example,
an airline industry applies X-ray technology for checking the condition of the parts of an
aircraft for any signs of flaws, and if there are, they repair them before using them.
Gamma radiation is normally used during this process thereby eradicating bacteria, fungi
and insects but with no or little affects on the nutritive value of the food. This technique
is of great essence when it comes to food preservation from harms and risks of spoilage,
in areas where the use of refrigerator is rare.
Real-world applications of nuclear radiation in industry also include the sterilization of
medical equipment, ensuring that surgical instruments and other devices are free from
contaminants before use.
3. Evaluating the Impact of Science
3.1 Social Impact
the quality of healthcare since it impacts positively on the lives of patients especially the
cancer patients. This has positively impacted on the society by ensuring early diagnosis
of dangerous diseases like cancer and which have led to increased rates of survival
amongst patients health has also been enhanced amongst the patients who have
undergone through this treatment.
However, concern over radiation exposure remains a major concern for the general
public especially following radioactive related disasters such as nuclear disasters. The
public fear of radiation exposure has also contributed to the negative perceptions
towards nuclear energy and this has seen many people objecting the establishment of
nuclear power plants.
3.2 Economic Impact
From the economic point of view nuclear energy is relatively cheaper energy once
nuclear power stations are established. Therefore, due to their potential to generate a
considerable amount of electricity per unit of fuel and low emission of green house
gases nuclear power plants are strategic facility for sustainable generation of electricity.
Although, nuclear power plant is quite expensive to be established and may cost up to
billions of dollars. Further, costs linked with the handling of waste products together with
nuclear power and the shutdown of prior reactors can be steep.
3.3 Environmental Impact
There is always a question about how nuclear technology affects the environment. On
one hand nuclear energy is regarded as a clean energy that helps to produce electricity
without emitting large quantities of CO2 or other gaseous greenhouse effect substances.
It makes it an ideal choice for countries looking to cut on their emissions of greenhouse
gasses and to mitigate the effects of climate change.Nuclear wastes remain radioactive
for thousands of years and that’s why the search for long-term secure and
environmentally safe storage methods is so important.
4. Science Interacting with Factors
4.1 Environmental Factor
nuclear energy is a low carbon option compared to fossil fuel based technologies
However, there are a lot of environmental concerns that surround nuclear energy in
terms of the effects of nuclear waste and also the effects of leakage of nuclear radiation.
National authorities and scientists are thus looking for ways of using safer means of
encasing nuclear wastes deep in geo logical formations such as repositories.
4.2 Political Factor
The generation of nuclear energy is always utilized as a way of freeing the country from
the dependence on external sources of energy such as the fossil fuels. But there is
duality in the application of nuclear energy which makes the political aspect murky.
There is the case of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which is an agreement on
non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and firstly on the utilization of nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes.
7. Conclusion
This nuclear radiation technology is on the one hand useful in areas like medicine and
energy and on the other hand its dangerous. The use of this theory in nuclear medicine
therefore entails
