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Nuclear and particle physics

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Question 4

Oxygen-15 is a radioactive isotope frequently used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

a.

Explain the physics of electron-positron annihilation that occurs inside the patient's body and how it allows the PET scanner to locate areas of high tracer concentration.

[3]
b.

The half-life of oxygen-15 is 122 s. Calculate the time ttt, in seconds, required for the activity of the oxygen-15 radiopharmaceutical to decrease to 15% of its initial value.

[3]
c.

Suggest why a hospital performing PET scans with oxygen-15 must have a cyclotron (particle accelerator) located very nearby.

[1]

Nuclear and particle physics Questions

  1. A Level
  2. /Physics
  3. /Nuclear and particle physics