Chapter 20, Problem 120RQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The amount of the ${}^{131}\text{I}$ required by a patient, who has a thyroid gland that weighs $20\text{ g}$, is to be calculated.

Concept Introduction:

The nuclei which are heavy and unstable undergo the process of decay and lose their counterparts in order to gain stability. This process is known as radioactive decay or radioactivity.

The radioactive decay of a nucleus always follows first order kinetics.