chemistry assignment 43

/in /by

Nuclear chemistry and the chemistry of radioisotopes is very important in modern medicine, with a

range of uses from diagnostics such as tracers and PET scans, to radiotherapy and biochemical

analysis.

Read the PDF given on Blackboard (Medical Isotopes: General Concepts) as well as lecture notes

provided (section 3, slides 165 to the end) and the relevant chapter of the textbook.

  • Briefly describe what an isotope is, and what is meant by radioactive isotopes.
  • With examples, explain the difference between alpha, beta and gamma emission.
  • Explain the difference between diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopes.
  • Choose a diagnostic and a therapeutic isotope and give it’s symbol, decay type and current

    • use.