Radioactive isotopes used in cancer treatment have a shelf life simply because the active nuclei break down. Immediately after fabrication in a nuclear reactor, the activity of a 60Co sample is 5000 Ci. When the activity drops below 3500 Ci, it is considered too low a source. for use in treatment. You work in the radiology department of a large hospital. One of the 60Co sources in your inventory was manufactured on October 20, 2012. It is now October 20, 2014. Is this source usable? Explain. (The half-life of 60Co is 5.3 years.)

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Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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Radioactive isotopes used in cancer treatment have a shelf life simply because the active nuclei break down. Immediately after fabrication in a nuclear reactor, the activity of a 60Co sample is 5000 Ci. When the activity drops below 3500 Ci, it is considered too low a source. for use in treatment. You work in the radiology department of a large hospital. One of the 60Co sources in your inventory was manufactured on October 20, 2012. It is now October 20, 2014. Is this source usable? Explain. (The half-life of 60Co is 5.3 years.)

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