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Chapter 19: Problem 65

Why is strontium-90 a particularly dangerous isotope for humans?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Strontium-90 is particularly dangerous due to its physical and biological properties. As a radioactive isotope, it emits high energy beta particles when it decays. It's chemically similar to calcium, so it can accumulate in the bones when ingested or inhaled, leading to bone disorders, including cancer. Furthermore, it's produced in nuclear reactions and remains in the environment for a long time due to its long half-life, providing persistent potential for exposure.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Isotopes and Radioactivity

Firstly, we need to understand what an isotope is. An isotope is a variant of a chemical element which differs in neutron number. Strontium-90 is an isotope of Strontium. Strontium-90 is radioactive, which means it has unstable atoms that can release a lot of energy very quickly.
02

Identifying Physical Properties of Strontium-90

Strontium-90 is a soft meta and a pure beta emitter, meaning it gives off beta particles but no alpha particles or gamma rays when it decays. A beta particle is a high-energy, high-speed electron or positron that is emitted by certain types of radioactive nuclei.
03

Biological Implications of Strontium-90

Strontium-90 behaves much like calcium, so if it is ingested or inhaled, it can accumulate in the bones and bone marrow. This can lead to bone disorders, including cancer. Moreover, the beta particles it emits can damage body tissues and DNA.
04

Environmental Presence of Strontium-90

Strontium-90 is produced in nuclear reactions, including those in an atomic bomb explosion or a nuclear reactor meltdown. It can enter the human body through food, water, or air. Strontium-90 has a long half-life (28.8 years), which means it remains in the environment and potential source of exposure for a long time.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Understanding Isotopes
Isotopes are different forms of the same chemical element that have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. This variance in atomic structure causes isotopes to have different properties. For example, Strontium-90, a notable isotope of Strontium, exhibits radioactivity due to an imbalance in its nuclear makeup.
Isotopes can be stable or unstable. The unstable ones, like Strontium-90, undergo radioactive decay. This process is a key reason why such isotopes are of significant interest and concern in both scientific and environmental contexts.
The Nature of Radioactivity
Radioactivity is the process by which unstable atomic nuclei lose energy by emitting radiation. Strontium-90 is a radioactive isotope, meaning its atoms are not in a stable state. As the unstable atoms rearrange to reach a stable state, they release energy.
This release is in the form of radiation, and in the case of Strontium-90, it specifically involves the emission of beta particles. Understanding this process helps us comprehend the potential hazards associated with radioactive materials, particularly when they interact with biological organisms.
Role and Impact of Beta Particles
Beta particles are a type of radiation emitted by radioactive materials when they decay. They are essentially high-energy, high-speed electrons or positrons. When Strontium-90 decays, it releases beta particles, which can penetrate the body and interact with tissues.
These interactions can cause cellular damage and lead to various health issues. Beta particles are less penetrating than gamma rays but can still pose significant health risks when radioactive isotopes like Strontium-90 are internalized.
Strontium-90 and Bone Accumulation
Strontium-90 mimics the behavior of calcium in the body. Because of this, when Strontium-90 is ingested or inhaled, it can settle in the bones and bone marrow. This accumulation can have serious health consequences.
The embedded beta particles can directly damage bone tissue and DNA, increasing the risk of bone-related diseases such as cancer. Understanding this interaction underscores the need for caution and preventive measures in environments where Strontium-90 exposure is possible.
Environmental Impact of Strontium-90
Strontium-90 is a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including atomic bomb detonations and reactor malfunctions. Its presence in the environment is worrisome because of its long half-life of 28.8 years. This means it takes nearly three decades for half of the substance to decay, allowing it to persist in the environment for lengthy periods.
It can infiltrate the environment through air, water, and soil, eventually entering the food chain. This persistent environmental presence poses a continuous threat to human health and ecosystems, highlighting the importance of proper nuclear waste management and environmental monitoring.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

In the thorium decay series, thorium- 232 loses a total of \(6 \alpha\) particles and \(4 \beta\) particles in a 10 -stage process. What is the final isotope produced?

Which of the following nuclear decays produces a daughter nucleus with a higher atomic number: (a) \(\gamma,(\mathrm{b}){ }_{+1}^{0} \beta,(\mathrm{c})-{ }_{-1}^{0} \beta\) (d) \(\alpha ?\)

Describe how you would use a radioactive iodine isotope to demonstrate that the following process is in dynamic equilibrium: $$\mathrm{PbI}_{2}(s) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{Pb}^{2+}(a q)+2 \mathrm{I}^{-}(a q)$$

(a) Calculate the energy released when an U-238 isotope decays to Th-234. The atomic masses are \(\begin{array}{llll}\text { given by } & \text { U-238: } & 238.0508 & \text { amu; } & \text { Th-234: }\end{array}\) 234.0436 amu; He-4: 4.0026 amu. (b) The energy released in (a) is transformed into the kinetic energy of the recoiling Th- 234 nucleus and the \(\alpha\) particle. Which of the two will move away faster? Explain.

Both barium (Ba) and radium (Ra) are members of Group \(2 \mathrm{~A}\) and are expected to exhibit similar chemical properties. However, \(\mathrm{Ra}\) is not found in barium ores. Instead, it is found in uranium ores. Explain.
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