Discuss energy conservation. What is a radiation source? Describe the uses of radioactive sources within medicine. Discuss half-life.

(Generally, multipart questions are split into different questions and each is posted separately. I will answer some of the questions and provide hints for the rest).
Energy Conservation: This term is most commonly used in reference to the saving of energy or energy sources. When we talk of carpooling or the use of public transport, we are talking about conserving the sources of energy (generally fossil fuels). Similarly, when we talk about using energy-efficient devices, we are referring to the conservation of electrical energy, which in turn will minimize the combustion of fossil fuel in the thermal power plants (this assumption is valid since most electrical energy is generated through the combustion of fossil fuels). Energy conservation is necessary for a number of reasons:
1) Fossil fuels, our most important source of energy, are limited in quantity and will likely run out soon.
2) Fossil fuel combustion generates greenhouse gases, which, in turn, are the reason for global warming.
3) Fossil fuels are not uniformly distributed geographically, and this causes the dependence of nations on a few nations rich in fossil fuels.
Energy conservation will not only minimize global warming, it will also prolong the availability of fossil fuels and minimize the dependence of nations on countries rich in fossil fuels. Efforts are underway at the global level to counter the growing risk of global warming, and one of the key steps is the reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions through the decreased use of fossil fuels. Energy conservation can also help in those efforts by reducing the energy requirements. Use of public transport, energy-efficient devices, development of green buildings, and so on are all energy conservation efforts. An example of an energy efficient device is a LED lamp. It uses less electricity when compared to an incandescent lamp.
Think of a large number of similar examples that can result in energy conservation.
Radiation source: This is simply a source of radiation. Some day-to-day examples of radiation sources include cellphones, X-rays, FM or AM radios, garage-door openers, microwave ovens, and so on. Radiation sources may generate either ionizing or nonionizing radiations. Ionizing radiation, such as gamma rays, may be hazardous to our body. Note that radiation sources can be natural or man-made. Some forms of natural radiation include cosmic radiation, terrestrial radiation from rocks containing radioactive minerals, and so on. Man-made radiation sources may be present in industries, hospitals, nuclear reactors, and so on.
Radiation sources can be beneficially used in medicinal science. The X-ray machine is very commonly used by dentists and hospitals. This machine is a source of X-rays. This equipment is used to locate bone fractures, tooth defects, and so on. Radioisotopes are used for radiation therapy of cancer patients. Similarly, radioactive iodine may be used to treat thyroid problems.
Half-life refers to the amount of time in which a radioactive substance reduces to half of its original amount. For example, uranium-238 has a half-life of about 4.5 billion years. This means that if we start with 1 kg of uranium-238, after about 4.5 billion years, we will be left with around 500 grams of it. One of the most common uses of the half-life concept is in the carbon dating of organic materials.
Hope this helps.

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