Question

radiotherapy technique for controlling this cancer. strontium - 90 is a beta emitter. it decays into yttrium - 90 which is also a beta emitter. when strontium - 90 is placed against the tumor, the beta particles kill the cancer cells. the strontium is encased on a disk which is held close to the lesion on the eye. it is surrounded by stainless steel to contain the radiation and keep medical staff safe. 2. during treatment, how do doctors keep the beta radiation from affecting tissues not in the tumor? 3. complete the beta decay section of your notes table. 4. oxygen - 15 decays through beta negative decay. draw what the nucleus would look like after decay. what element does it become? 5. complete the venn diagram. find 3 differences for each and 2 similarities. alpha beta 6. could the radioactive material used by james smith have been a beta particle emitter? explain using evidence from the case.

Explanation:

Step1: Answer question 2

The strontium is encased on a disk which is held close to the lesion on the eye and is surrounded by stainless - steel to contain the radiation and keep it from affecting non - tumor tissues.

Step2: Answer question 3

This requires filling in a notes table about beta decay which cannot be done without seeing the table. But in general, beta decay involves a neutron in the nucleus changing into a proton and an electron (beta particle) being emitted. The atomic number of the element increases by 1 while the mass number remains the same.

Step3: Answer question 4

Oxygen - 15 has 8 protons and 7 neutrons. In beta negative decay, a neutron turns into a proton and an electron. So the new element has 9 protons (fluorine) and 6 neutrons. The nucleus would have one more proton and one less neutron than the oxygen - 15 nucleus.

Step4: Answer question 5

Differences: Alpha particles are helium nuclei, have a + 2 charge, and are relatively large and slow. Beta particles are electrons or positrons, have a - 1 or + 1 charge, and are smaller and faster. Similarities: Both are types of radioactive emissions, both can cause ionization in matter.

Step6: Answer question 6

Without information about James Smith's case, this cannot be answered. But if the radioactive material has properties such as being able to penetrate a short distance through tissue, having a certain level of ionizing ability, and being able to be shielded by materials like aluminum (common for beta particles), it could be a beta - particle emitter.

Answer:

1. The strontium is encased on a disk and surrounded by stainless - steel to contain the radiation.
2. Fill in the table based on beta - decay principles (neutron to proton conversion, atomic number + 1, mass number same).
3. The element becomes fluorine. The nucleus has one more proton and one less neutron.
4. Differences: Alpha is helium nucleus, + 2 charge, large/slow; Beta is electron/positron, - 1/+1 charge, small/fast. Similarities: Radioactive emissions, cause ionization.
5. Cannot be answered without case information, but check for beta - particle properties like penetration and shielding.