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Chapter 2: Problem 102

The explosion of an atomic bomb releases many radioactive isotopes, including strontium-90. Considering the location of strontium in the periodic table, suggest a reason for the fact that this isotope is particularly dangerous for human health.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 is particularly dangerous for human health due to its similar chemical properties to calcium, a biologically relevant element. As an alkaline earth metal, strontium shares the same group with calcium in the periodic table, resulting in the human body mistakenly absorbing it in place of calcium. When incorporated into bones, the radioactive isotope strontium-90 emits ionizing radiation, which can damage DNA, increase cancer risk, and cause long-term health problems.

Step by step solution

01

Locate Strontium in the Periodic Table

Strontium (Sr) is found in group 2 and period 5 of the periodic table. Elements in group 2 are called alkaline earth metals.
02

Identify similar elements

Among the alkaline earth metals, calcium(Ca) is the most biologically relevant element. Calcium has the same group as strontium and is directly above it in the periodic table, being in group 2 and period 4.
03

Compare chemical properties

Elements placed in the same group of the periodic table exhibit similar chemical properties. This is because they have the same number of electrons in their outermost (valence) shell. Both strontium and calcium have two valence electrons. Therefore, strontium shares similar chemical properties with calcium.
04

Explain why similar properties make strontium dangerous

Calcium plays a crucial role in human health, specifically in the structure of bones and teeth, as well as nerve and muscle functions. Since strontium has similar chemical properties as calcium, it can be mistakenly absorbed by the human body in place of calcium. The absorption of strontium-90 in place of calcium leads to its incorporation into bones, causing long-term exposure to ionizing radiation within the body.
05

Discuss radioactivity

Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope, which means it decays and emits ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is harmful to living tissue as it can damage DNA, increase the risk of cancer, and cause other long-term health problems.
06

Conclusion

Strontium-90 is particularly dangerous for human health because of its position in the periodic table. Being an alkaline earth metal and sharing similar chemical properties with calcium, strontium-90 can be mistakenly absorbed by the human body and incorporated into bones. As a radioactive isotope, it emits ionizing radiation, leading to long-term health problems and an increased risk of cancer.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Millikan determined the charge on the electron by studying the static charges on oil drops falling in an electric field (Figure 2.5\()\). A student carried out this experiment using several oil drops for her measurements and calculated the charges on the drops. She obtained the following data: $$ \begin{array}{lc} \hline \text { Droplet } & \text { Calculated Charge (C) } \\ \hline \text { A } & 1.60 \times 10^{-19} \\ \text {B } & 3.15 \times 10^{-19} \\ \text {C } & 4.81 \times 10^{-19} \\ \text {D } & 6.31 \times 10^{-19} \\ \hline \end{array} $$ (a) What is the significance of the fact that the droplets carried different charges? (b) What conclusion can the student draw from these data regarding the charge of the electron? (c) What value (and to how many significant figures) should she report for the electronic charge?

Determine whether each of the following statements is true or false. If false, correct the statement to make it true: (a) The nucleus has most of the mass and comprises most of the volume of an atom. (b) Every atom of a given element has the same number of protons. (c) The number of electrons in an atom equals the number of neutrons in the atom. (d) The protons in the nucleus of the helium atom are held together by a force called the strong nuclear force.

The radius of an atom of copper (Cu) is about $140 \mathrm{pm} .(\mathbf{a}) \mathrm{Ex}-\( press this distance in millimeters \)(\mathrm{mm})$ and in angstroms \((\AA)\). (b) How many Cu atoms would have to be placed side by side to span a distance of \(5.0 \mathrm{~mm} ?(\mathbf{c})\) If you assume that the Cu atom is a sphere, what is the volume in \(\mathrm{cm}^{3}\) of a single atom?

Predict whether each of the following compounds is molecular or ionic: $(\mathbf{a}) \mathrm{HClO}_{4}(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OCH}_{3}(\mathbf{c}) \mathrm{Mg}\left(\mathrm{NO}_{3}\right)_{2}(\mathbf{d}) \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}\( (e) \)\mathrm{TiCl}_{4}(\mathbf{f}) \mathrm{K}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}(\mathbf{g}) \mathrm{PCl}_{5}(\mathbf{h}) \mathrm{P}(\mathrm{OH})_{3} .$

Name each of the following chlorides. Assuming that the compounds are ionic, what charge is associated with the metallic element in each case? (a) $\mathrm{AgCl},(\mathbf{b}) \mathrm{TiCl}_{4},(\mathbf{c}) \operatorname{Ir} \mathrm{C} 1_{3},\( (d) \)\mathrm{LiCl}$.
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