4.4a Each radioactive isotope has a specific mode and rate of decay (half-life).
4.4b Nuclear reactions include natural and artificial transmutation, fission, and fusion.
4.4c Nuclear reactions can be represented by equations that include symbols which
represent atomic nuclei (with mass number and atomic number), subatomic particles
(with mass number and charge), and/or emissions such as gamma radiation.
4.4d Radioactive isotopes have many beneficial uses. Radioactive isotopes are used in
medicine and industrial chemistry for radioactive dating, tracing chemical and biological
processes, industrial measurement, nuclear power, and detection and treatment of
diseases.
4.4e There are inherent risks associated with radioactivity and the use of radioactive
isotopes. Risks can include biological exposure, long-term storage and disposal, and
nuclear accidents.
4.4f There are benefits and risks associated with fission and fusion reactions.