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Radioactivity

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Question 53

Yttrium-90 is a radioactive isotope that emits beta particles.

a.

The equation for this decay is

3990Y→ZAZr+−10e ^{90}_{39}\text{Y} \rightarrow ^{A}_{Z}\text{Zr} + ^{0}_{-1}\text{e} 3990​Y→ZA​Zr+−10​e

(i) The atomic (proton) number for yttrium-90 is

  • A 0
  • B 39
  • C 51
  • D 90
[1]
b.

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

  • A -1
  • B 0
  • C 39
  • D 90
[1]
c.

Yttrium-90 is used in the treatment of liver tumors by injecting tiny radioactive beads directly into the blood vessels supplying the tumor.

Explain why yttrium-90 is suitable for this treatment.

[3]

Radioactivity Questions

  1. IGCSE
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  3. /Radioactivity