Chapter 43: Problem 24
\(\textbf{Radioactive Tracers}\). Radioactive isotopes are often introduced into the body through the bloodstream. Their spread through the body can then be monitored by detecting the appearance of radiation in different organs. One such tracer is \(^1$$^3$$^1\)I, a \(\beta$$^-\) emitter with a half-life of 8.0 d. Suppose a scientist introduces a sample with an activity of 325 Bq and watches it spread to the organs. (a) Assuming that all of the sample went to the thyroid gland, what will be the decay rate in that gland 24 d (about 3 \\(\frac{1}{2}\\) weeks) later? (b) If the decay rate in the thyroid 24 d later is measured to be 17.0 Bq, what percentage of the tracer went to that gland? (c) What isotope remains after the I-131 decays?
Short Answer
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