Question

The radioisotope used in agriculture:
(A) ${}_{15}{P^{31}}$
(B) ${}_{15}{P^{32}}$
(C) ${}_{11}N{a^{23}}$
(D) ${}_{11}N{a^{24}}$

Answer 1

The process of spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an atom by emitting highly penetrating radiations like $\alpha$-rays, $\beta$-rays, and $\gamma$rays is called natural radioactivity. Heavy elements with a mass number higher than $206$ are found to have natural radioactivity. Other elements can be made radioactive by bombarding them with accelerated particles.

Complete step by step solution:
An isotope of an element is the alternative form of the element with a different neutron number. This will eventually lead to a change in the nucleon number. If the isotope of an element is radioactive, we can call it a radioactive isotope. Radioisotopes are greatly used in many fields. One of the fields that make use of radioactive isotopes is the agricultural field. Radioactive phosphorus is used in agriculture to track the intake of fertilizers by plants. By using radioactive phosphorus we can track the quantity of fertilizer that reaches the leaves of the plants from its roots. For this purpose, we use the ${}_{15}{P^{32}}$. We use phosphorus$- 32$ fertilizers by mixing it with water to the soil or through hydroponics. This radioactive phosphorus can be mapped with the help of the $\beta$-radiation emitted from it. This information gives us insight into how the plants consume and utilize the phosphorus in the fertilizer.
The answer is:

Option (B): ${}_{15}{P^{32}}$

Note:
Radioactive isotopes are widely used in many other fields. One such field is the medical field. The treatment of cancer involving radiation therapy. ${}_{15}{P^{32}}$ isotope is also used for treating leukemia. The isotope ${}_{15}{P^{30}}$ is used for treating skin diseases. The isotope of phosphorus with maximum lifetime is the ${}_{15}{P^{33}}$ . It has a half-life of $25.34$days.