Radioactive isotopes used in cancer treatment have a shelf life simply because the active nuclei break down. Immediately after fabrication in a nuclear reactor, the activity of a 60Co sample is 5000 Ci. When the activity drops below 3500 Ci, it is considered too low a source. for use in treatment. You work in the radiology department of a large hospital. One of the 60Co sources in your inventory was manufactured on October 20, 2012. It is now October 20, 2014. Is this source usable? Explain. (The half-life of 60Co is 5.3 years.)

Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
10th Edition
ISBN:9781337399074
Author:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Chapter25: Nuclear Chemistry
Section25.4: Rates Of Nuclear Decay
Problem 25.5CYU
icon
Related questions
Question

Radioactive isotopes used in cancer treatment have a shelf life simply because the active nuclei break down. Immediately after fabrication in a nuclear reactor, the activity of a 60Co sample is 5000 Ci. When the activity drops below 3500 Ci, it is considered too low a source. for use in treatment. You work in the radiology department of a large hospital. One of the 60Co sources in your inventory was manufactured on October 20, 2012. It is now October 20, 2014. Is this source usable? Explain. (The half-life of 60Co is 5.3 years.)

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Radioactivity in Medicine
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781337399074
Author:
John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry for Engineering Students
Chemistry for Engineering Students
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781337398909
Author:
Lawrence S. Brown, Tom Holme
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry & Chemical Reactivity
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133949640
Author:
John C. Kotz, Paul M. Treichel, John Townsend, David Treichel
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285199047
Author:
John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133611097
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning