Question detail
Which of the following isotopes would be most suitable for a medical tracer due to its short half-life?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
Question
- A. Iodine-131
- B. Carbon-14
- C. Uranium-238
- D. Radon-222
Answer
Iodine-131
Explanation
Iodine-131 has a short half-life, making it suitable for medical tracers as it limits the radiation dose to the patient.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Half-Life Implications
Students often confuse the concept of half-life with the total time a radioactive isotope remains active, not realizing that half-life refers to the time taken for half of the radioactive nuclei in a sample to decay.
Emphasize that half-life is a specific measure of decay rate and does not indicate the complete duration of radioactivity. Use examples to illustrate how different isotopes have varying half-lives and how this affects their applications.
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