1.

Radiopharmaceutical imaging is a type of medical scan. Tiny amounts of radioactive materials are injected into the blood stream to allow an image of the various tissues to be obtained. (a) Radioactive materials contain atoms that spontaneously break down. As the nuclei of atoms break down, they emit rays and particles called emissions. Three different types of emission have been identified, , and . Complete the table to show the properties of these emissions. property relative charge relative mass +2 0.00055 very high frequency electromagnetic radiation few metres tissue paper low
[3]

type of emission

nature

helium nucleus

range in air stopped by deflection by an electric field

very long

metal foil

(b)

The most widely used radioisotope in radiopharmaceutical imaging is technetium99. This is the product of the -decay of molybdenum-99. (i) Complete the nuclear equation for the -decay of molybdenum-99.

99 .... Mo 42 ....

.... Tc ....
[2]

City and Islington College

(ii)

Molybdenum has several naturally occurring isotopes. Explain the term isotopes. ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................
[2] [Total 7 marks]

2.

Beryllium is a Group 2 metal and has several modern day uses. It also played an important role in the development of ideas about the structure of the atom. In 1932, James Chadwick fired -particles at beryllium metal and found that particles were emitted that were not deflected by electric fields. Chadwick had discovered the neutron. Give the mass number and atomic number of this particle.

mass number = ................................... atomic number = ...................................

[Total 2 marks]

3.

In April 1986, the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union exploded, releasing a mixture of radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere. 131 One of the main isotopes released was 53 I . (a) (i) In the following table, write the number of protons, neutrons and 131 electrons in an atom of 53 I . number protons neutrons electrons
[3]

City and Islington College

(ii)

What is meant by the term isotopes? ........................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................

[2]

(iii)

Radioactive isotopes are unstable and decay by emitting either alpha particles or beta particles. The table below summarises some of the properties of alpha and beta particles. Complete the table by choosing words or numbers from the following list: small large nil property relative charge relative mass stopped by deflection by electric field 4 paper large
[4]

paper

aluminium foil

lead

+2

+1

alpha particle

beta particle negligible

(iv)

The relative atomic mass of iodine in the Periodic Table is given as 126.9 on the Data Sheet. Explain what this value represents. ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... ...........................................................................................................................
[3]

City and Islington College

(b)

131 Long term exposure to radioactive isotopes such as 53 I can cause cancers. 131 However, 53 I can be used as a radioactive tracer in small doses when

investigating patients suffering from a possible deficiency of iodine.

131 The half-life of 53 I is 8 days. A sample manufactured for use in hospitals has an original count rate of 16 000 counts per minute. It can be used as a tracer as long as its count rate is at or above 500 counts per minute.

For how long after manufacture can it be used as a tracer? Show your working.

answer ................................ days

[2] [Total 14 marks]

City and Islington College