To destroy a cancerous tumor, a dose of gamma radiation totalling an energy of 2.12J is to be delivered in 30 days from implanted sealed capsule containing palladium -103. Assuming that this isotope has half life of 17 days and emits gamma rays of radiation 21.0 Kev, which are entirely absorbed within the tumor. What is the initial activity of the set of capsules and what total mass of the radioactive palladium should these seeds contain?

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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
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To destroy a cancerous tumor, a dose of gamma radiation totalling an energy of 2.12J is to be delivered in 30 days from implanted sealed capsule containing palladium -103. Assuming that this isotope has half life of 17 days and emits gamma rays of radiation 21.0 Kev, which are entirely absorbed within the tumor. What is the initial activity of the set of capsules and what total mass of the radioactive palladium should these seeds contain? 

Expert Solution
Step 1

The formula for the decay constant is:

Physics homework question answer, step 1, image 1

Step 2

The formula for the number of nuclei remains after t days is:

Physics homework question answer, step 2, image 1

Therefore, the number of nuclei undergoes decay is:

Physics homework question answer, step 2, image 2

Step 3

As mentioned in the question, the decayed nuclei released a total of 2.12 J radiation. Thus,

Physics homework question answer, step 3, image 1

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