Edexcel IGCSE Physics 7.14 Uses of Radioactivity Questions
Trace how gamma emission, ionising risk and half-life affect the choice and safe use of technetium-99m as a medical tracer in practice.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Physics 4PH1
Exam points
- Explain how gamma from technetium-99m can pass out of the body to be detected during diagnosis.
- Explain why a medical tracer’s half-life must allow the procedure yet let its activity fall to a safe level soon afterwards.
- Compare technetium-99m and iodine-131 using ionising damage and how long each isotope remains in the body.
Edexcel IGCSE Physics 7.14 Uses of Radioactivity Questions question 1
This question is about radioactive isotopes used for medical imaging.
Technetium-99m is another radioactive isotope.
Iodine-131 and technetium-99m are both used as medical tracers. Medical tracers use radiation detected outside the body to diagnose illnesses.
The table gives information about some of the properties of iodine-131 and technetium-99m when they undergo radioactive decay.
Explain why technetium-99m is likely to be safer than iodine-131 when used as a medical tracer.
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