radiochemistry

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | 700+ words | Copyright

radiochemistry chemistry of radioactive substances (see radioactivity ). Radioactive isotopes are very useful as tracers to study the mechanisms of complex organic reactions, since even minute amounts of these isotopes are easily detected by means of a Geiger counter or photographic film. For example, by feeding plants carbon dioxide that contains the radioisotope carbon-14 and by monitoring the carbon compounds through the plants' life cycle, the intermediate stages of the photosynthetic process can be determined. A method developed by W. F. Libby uses carbon-14 to date archaeological discoveries and other samples containing organic matter (see dating ). Radioactive substances have also been used to investigate the properties of artificially produced elements and to measure the rates of electron transfers.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"radiochemistry." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"radiochemistry." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-radioche.html

"radiochemistry." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-radioche.html

Learn more about citation styles