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Chapter 25: Problem 51

"Sr is both a product of radioactive fallout and a radioactive waste in a nuclear reactor. This radioisotope is a \(\beta^{-}\) emitter with a half-life of 27.7 years. Suggest reasons why \(^{90} \mathrm{Sr}\) is such a potentially hazardous substance.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 is a potentially hazardous substance due to its properties. It emits beta radiation during decay, transforming into a different radioactive element. Moreover, it has a long half-life of 27.7 years, implying a prolonged period of radiation. Lastly, when Strontium-90 enters the body, it can mimic calcium and get deposited in bones, posing significant health risks, including cancers and leukemia.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the nature of Strontium-90

Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope. It undergoes beta decay, which results in emission of an electron, transforming the atom into a different element. In this case, Strontium-90 becomes Yttrium-90 through beta decay.
02

Grasp the significance of half-life

The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time it takes for half of the atoms in a sample to decay. Strontium-90 has a half-life of 27.7 years, which means it remains radioactive for a long period. This prolonged radioactivity contributes to its potential hazard.
03

Recognize the biohazardous nature of Strontium-90

Strontium-90 has similar chemical properties to calcium. This means that when it enters the body, it can be mistaken for calcium and become deposited in bones and teeth. The radioactive decay of Strontium-90 in the body can damage bone marrow and cells in the bone tissue, causing cancers, leukemia, and other health issues.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A nuclide has a decay constant of \(4.28 \times 10^{-4} \mathrm{h}^{-1}\). If the activity of a sample is \(3.14 \times 10^{5} \mathrm{s}^{-1},\) how many atoms of the nuclide are present in the sample? (a) \(2.64 \times 10^{12} ;\) (b) \(7.34 \times 10^{8}\) (c) \(2.04 \times 10^{5}\) (d) \(4.40 \times 10^{10} ;\) (e) none of these.

A sample of radioactive \(\frac{35}{16} \mathrm{S}\) disintegrates at a rate of \(1.00 \times 10^{3}\) atoms \(\min ^{-1} .\) The half-life of \(_{16}^{35} \mathrm{S}\) is \(87.9 \mathrm{d}\) How long will it take for the activity of this sample to decrease to the point of producing (a) \(253 ;\) (b) \(104 ;\) and (c) 52 dis \(\min ^{-1} ?\)

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\(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) is an \(\alpha\) -particle emitter with a half-life of 3.82 days. Is it hazardous to be near a flask containing this isotope? Under what conditions might \(^{222} \mathrm{Rn}\) be hazardous?

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