Cadmium radioisotopes refer to radioactive isotopes of cadmium, an element with the chemical symbol Cd. The word "cadmium" is pronounced /ˈkædmiəm/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress falling on the first syllable. The word "radioisotopes" is pronounced /ˌreɪdiəʊˈaɪsətəʊps/ in IPA, with the stress on the third syllable. Cadmium radioisotopes are used in a variety of applications, including medical imaging and cancer treatment, and can be detected using specialized equipment.
Cadmium radioisotopes refer to the different radioactive isotopes of the chemical element cadmium. Cadmium is a metallic element with atomic number 48 and symbol Cd. It is a soft, silver-white metal that belongs to the zinc group on the periodic table.
Radioisotopes are isotopes of an element that have an unstable nucleus, meaning that they spontaneously undergo radioactive decay, emitting radiation in the process. Cadmium radioisotopes, therefore, are cadmium atoms with unstable nuclei that release radiation as a result of their decay.
Cadmium has several known radioisotopes, including the most common ones: cadmium-109 and cadmium-113m. These isotopes have different numbers of neutrons in their nucleus compared to the stable isotope, cadmium-112. Cadmium-109 is a beta-emitter and has a relatively long half-life of approximately 462.6 days. It is used in nuclear medicine for imaging and diagnostic purposes. On the other hand, cadmium-113m is a gamma-emitter and has a shorter half-life of about 14.1 years. It is commonly used in analytical methods like gamma-ray spectroscopy for various applications, such as environmental monitoring and industrial quality control.
Overall, cadmium radioisotopes play a significant role in scientific and medical research due to their ability to emit radiation, which can be harnessed for various practical applications.
The word "cadmium" traces its origin to the Latin word "cadmīa", which is derived from the Greek word "kadmeia". It is named after Cadmus, a Phoenician prince in Greek mythology, who is credited with introducing the alphabet to the Greeks.
Radioisotopes are formed by combining "radio", derived from the Latin word "radius" meaning "ray" or "beam", and "isotope", coined from the Greek words "īsos" (equal) and "topos" (place). Therefore, "radioisotope" refers to an isotope that emits radiation.
When combined, the term "cadmium radioisotopes" refers to radioactive isotopes of cadmium, an element on the periodic table.