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A technician was accidentally exposed to potassium-42
Chapter 4, Problem 72CQ(choose chapter or problem)
A technician was accidentally exposed to potassium-42 while doing some brain scans for possible tumors. The error was not discovered until 36 h later when the activity of the potassium-42 sample was 2.0 ?Ci. If potassium-42 has a half-life of 12 h, what was the activity of the sample at the time the technician was exposed? (4.4)
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
A technician was accidentally exposed to potassium-42 while doing some brain scans for possible tumors. The error was not discovered until 36 h later when the activity of the potassium-42 sample was 2.0 ?Ci. If potassium-42 has a half-life of 12 h, what was the activity of the sample at the time the technician was exposed? (4.4)
ANSWER:Solution 72CQHere, we have to calculate the microcurie of sample in initial activity.Step 1 of 2Given:A sample has an activity after 36 h - 2.0 CiHalf - life of potassium - 42 = 12 h.Let’s write the equality and conversion factors for hours1 half life = 12 h So, the conversion factors are and Let’s calculate the number of half-lives after completion of 36 hours36 hours = 3 half -lives.Therefore, the potassium -42 has 3 half -lives after completion of 36 hours.________________________________________________________________________