4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. (i) Iodine-123 is used as a radioactive tracer to diagnose thyroid problems. Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer. This tracer must have a half-life of A a few days B a few hours C less than a second D several weeks (ii) Pellets which contain radium-223 can be put inside the body to treat cancers. Radium-223 has a half-life of 11.4 days and emits alpha radiation. Explain why radium-223 is suitable for use inside the body to treat cancers. (b) Radiotherapy is often used for palliative care when cancers are incurable. Explain how using radiotherapy in this way is helpful to patients.

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4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2015 - Paper 1

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4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. (i) Iodine-123 is used as a radioactive tracer to ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2015 - Paper 1

Step 1

Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.

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Answer

The correct answer is B: a few hours. Iodine-123 has a half-life conducive for tracer applications, allowing for effective diagnosis within a short timeframe.

Step 2

Explain why radium-223 is suitable for use inside the body to treat cancers.

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Answer

Radium-223 is suitable for use inside the body because its half-life of 11.4 days allows it to target cancer cells effectively without remaining in the body for too long. Additionally, its emission of alpha radiation is beneficial as it minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue while delivering targeted treatment to cancerous areas.

Step 3

Explain how using radiotherapy in this way is helpful to patients.

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Answer

Using radiotherapy for palliative care helps alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for patients with incurable cancers. It can shrink tumors, reducing symptoms and distress, thus providing meaningful relief even in advanced stages of the disease.

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4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2015 - Paper 1

Worked Solution & Example Answer:4 (a) Many different types of radioactive isotope are used for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 4 - 2015 - Paper 1

Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.

Explain why radium-223 is suitable for use inside the body to treat cancers.

Explain how using radiotherapy in this way is helpful to patients.

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