Chapter 19, Problem 50A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The extent of damage in organism is governed by chemical properties of radioactive nuclei, in contrast to their nuclear decay pattern has to be explained.

Concept introduction: In a nuclear reaction, unstable nuclide disintegrates into stable nuclide with emission of various radiations spontaneously. It is called radioactivity of nucleus. These reactions are of 2 types: fission and fusion. Fission is process in which heavy nuclides disintegrate into lighter and stable ones. When 2 lighter nucleus come together to create a heavy nuclide, it is called as fusion.

Answer to Problem 50A

Instead of nuclear decay pattern they show, the chemical properties of radiation source are important to determine the biological damage caused by it.

Explanation of Solution

Instead of nuclear decay pattern, the chemical properties of radiation source are important to determine the biological damage caused by it. Also to what extent the damage will be caused will be determined by how long the radiation remains inside human body.

Example: elements like ${}_{36}^{85}\text{Kr}$ and ${}_{38}^{90}\text{Sr}$ are radioactive and are $\text{β}$ particle emitters. But ${}_{36}^{85}\text{Kr}$ belong to noble gas family so is inert like them and do not cause harm to body. Whereas at the same time ${}_{38}^{90}\text{Sr}$ which lies in group 2, is similar to $\text{Ca}$ . It gets accumulated in bones and cause complications like bone cancer and leukemia.

Conclusion

Instead of nuclear decay pattern they show, the chemical properties of radiation source are important to determine the biological damage caused by it.