(PM3B) Radiotherapy & Nuclear Pharmacy Flashcards
What is radioactivity?
Spontaneous transformation of an unstable nucleus
To a more stable nucleus
With release of ionising radiation
What is ionising radiation?
Radiation with enough energy to remove bound electrons when interacting with an atom
What are some types of radiation?
(1) Alpha – positively charged helium nuclei (2 protons + 2 neutrons)
(2) Beta - electrons
(3) X-rays – electromagnetic radiation
(4) Gamma – electromagnetic radiation
How are X-rays emitted?
When a heavy metal target is bombarded by energetic electrons
What is the penetrating power of alpha radiation?
Stopped by paper
What is the penetrating power of beta radiation?
Paper
Stopped by thin plates (made of wood/ aluminium)
What is the penetrating power of x-ray radiation?
Paper/ thin plates
Stopped by lead/ iron/ thick metal plates
What is the penetrating power of gamma radiation?
Paper/ thin plates
Stopped by lead/ iron/ thick metal plates
What is the penetrating power of neutron radiation?
Paper/ thin plates/ lead/ iron/ thick metal plates
Stopped by water/ concrete
What is the charge of alpha radiation?
Positive
What is the charge of beta radiation?
Negative
What is the charge of X-ray radiation?
Neutral
What is the charge of gamma radiation?
Neutral
What is the particle mass of alpha radiation?
Heavy particles
What is the particle mass of beta radiation?
Light particles
What is the particle mass of X-ray radiation?
No mass
What is the particle mass of gamma radiation?
No mass
What are some harmful effects of radiation?
Depends on exposure time/ penetration power/ energy of radiation
(1) Nausea
(2) Skin burns
(3) Hair loss
(4) Sterility
(5) Cancer
(6) Death
What are some useful applications of radiation?
(1) Cancer treatment
(2) Medical instrument sterilisation
(3) Finding leaks
(4) Dating archaeological remains
(5) Generating electricity
From which source is alpha radiation most damaging?
Internal source
From which source is beta radiation most damaging?
Internal source
From which source is x-ray radiation most damaging?
External source
From which source is gamma radiation most damaging?
External source
What is half-life?
Time it takes for activity/ amount of radioisotope to fall by 50%
Shorter half-life = more unstable
What is a long-life radiopharmaceutical?
Half-life >12 hrs
What is a short-life radiopharmaceutical?
Half-life <12hrs
What is the activity of a radioactive substance?
The number of nuclear transformations per unit of time
What is the unit of disintegration per second?
Becquerel – Bq
What is the unit for 3.7x10^10 disintegrations per second?
Curie – Ci
What is 1 millicurie?
1mCi = 10^-3 curie