Instructional Video

Isotopes and Half-Life: What Are Medical Isotopes?

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

How do medical professionals use radiation without doing more harm than good? Budding nuclear chemists begin their study of all things radioactive with a video from the JFR Science playlist. Topics include differences between isotopes, radioisotopes versus non-radioactive isotopes, and how people use radioisotopes in medical imaging.

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CCSS: Adaptable
Additional Tags
Instructional Ideas
  • Show the video at the start of a nuclear chemistry unit
  • Keep learners interested with a further study of carbon dating using a fun interactive
Classroom Considerations
  • Take a moment to review the basics of atomic number, atomic mass, protons, and neutrons before starting the video
  • This video is hosted on YouTube
Pros
  • Links isotopes to their uses in medicine, which keeps engagement high
  • Illustrations help clarify the differences between isotopes
Cons
  • None
Common Core