Barium-136 isotope

Barium-136 is a radioactive isotope of barium which is commonly used in medical and industrial applications. It is a stable isotope with a half-life of 8.4 x 10^21 years and decays through beta-minus decay to the isotope cesium-136. In medical applications, Barium-136 is used as a contrast agent for X-ray imaging studies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is particularly useful for detecting and diagnosing conditions such as bowel obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and ulcerative colitis. The use of Barium-136 as a contrast agent is safe and effective, and it has been used for many years in medical imaging studies. In industrial applications, Barium-136 is used as a tracer in oil and gas exploration, as well as in soil and groundwater studies. It is also used in nuclear power plants as a neutron absorber to control the rate of fission reactions. From a chemical standpoint, Barium-136 has 56 protons and 80 neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 136. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive with water and other chemicals. Barium-136 has a relatively low melting point and boiling point, which makes it easy to handle and work with in various applications. Despite its many uses, Barium-136 is also highly toxic and should be handled with care to avoid exposure and potential health risks.