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Radioactivity and particles

Radioactivity and particles

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Question 30

Iodine-131 is a radioactive isotope that emits beta-minus particles.

a.

The equation for this decay is

53131I→ZAXe+−10e ^{131}_{53}\text{I} \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}\text{Xe} + ^{0}_{-1}\text{e} 53131​I→ZA​Xe+−10​e

(i) The atomic (proton) number for iodine-131 is

  • A 0
  • B 53
  • C 78
  • D 131
[1]
b.

(ii) The mass (nucleon) number, AAA, for Xe\text{Xe}Xe is

  • A -1
  • B 0
  • C 53
  • D 131
[1]
c.

Iodine-131 is used in the treatment of thyroid cancer. Patients swallow a capsule containing the isotope, which is then absorbed and concentrated selectively by the thyroid gland.

Explain why iodine-131 is suitable for this treatment.

[2]
Markscheme

Radioactivity and particles Questions

  1. IGCSE
  2. /Physics
  3. /Radioactivity and particles

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