Question
Radioisotopes often emit alpha particles, beta particles, or gamma rays. The distance they travel through matter increases in order from alpha to gamma. Each radioisotope has a characteristic half-life, which is the time needed for half of a sample of radioisotope to undergo nuclear decay. The table lists isotopes of the element calcium.
A 3-column table with 4 rows. Column 1 is labeled Isotope with entries calcium-40; calcium-45; calcium-47; calcium-49. Column 2 is labeled Emission with entries none; beta; beta and gamma; beta and gamma. Column 3 is labeled Half-life with entries none; 160 days; 5 days; 9 minutes.
Based on the table, which isotope is best suited for use as a radioactive tracer for the body’s use of calcium?
calcium-40
calcium-45
calcium-47
calcium-49
A 3-column table with 4 rows. Column 1 is labeled Isotope with entries calcium-40; calcium-45; calcium-47; calcium-49. Column 2 is labeled Emission with entries none; beta; beta and gamma; beta and gamma. Column 3 is labeled Half-life with entries none; 160 days; 5 days; 9 minutes.
Based on the table, which isotope is best suited for use as a radioactive tracer for the body’s use of calcium?
calcium-40
calcium-45
calcium-47
calcium-49
Answers
GPT-4o mini
When selecting a radioisotope for use as a radioactive tracer in the body, it is important to consider factors such as the type of emission, the half-life of the isotope, and the potential for safety and effectiveness.
**Calcium-40** does not emit any radiation, making it unsuitable as a tracer.
**Calcium-45** emits beta particles and has a half-life of 160 days. While it can provide a longer detection window, its half-life may be too long for some tracer applications where quicker biological response is desired.
**Calcium-47** emits beta particles and gamma rays, but has a very short half-life of 5 days. This allows it to be tracked effectively within the body without lingering for too long, making it safer and more effective for short-term studies.
**Calcium-49**, while it also emits beta particles and gamma rays, has an even shorter half-life of 9 minutes. This means it would decay too quickly to be practical for certain biological tracing applications.
Considering all these factors, **calcium-45** is likely the best option as a radioactive tracer for the body's use of calcium due to its balance of emission type and half-life, allowing for effective tracing without excessive radioactivity lingering in the body.
**Calcium-40** does not emit any radiation, making it unsuitable as a tracer.
**Calcium-45** emits beta particles and has a half-life of 160 days. While it can provide a longer detection window, its half-life may be too long for some tracer applications where quicker biological response is desired.
**Calcium-47** emits beta particles and gamma rays, but has a very short half-life of 5 days. This allows it to be tracked effectively within the body without lingering for too long, making it safer and more effective for short-term studies.
**Calcium-49**, while it also emits beta particles and gamma rays, has an even shorter half-life of 9 minutes. This means it would decay too quickly to be practical for certain biological tracing applications.
Considering all these factors, **calcium-45** is likely the best option as a radioactive tracer for the body's use of calcium due to its balance of emission type and half-life, allowing for effective tracing without excessive radioactivity lingering in the body.