radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine what kind of half life would a medical isotope probably have

HESI A2

Chemistry HESI A2 Practice Test

1. Radioactive isotopes are frequently used in medicine. What kind of half-life would a medical isotope probably have?

A. Seconds-long
B. Days-long
C. Years-long
D. Many years long

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Medical isotopes used in diagnosis and treatment need to have a relatively short half-life to minimize radiation exposure to patients. If the half-life were too long (such as many years) or even years-long, the radiation would persist for too long and could be harmful to the patient. Seconds-long half-lives would not provide enough time for the isotope to be effective. Days-long half-lives strike a balance between providing enough time for the isotope to be used effectively and minimizing radiation exposure.

2. How many moles of potassium bromide are in 25 mL of a 4 M KBr solution?

A. 0.035 mol
B. 0.1 mol
C. 0.18 mol
D. 1.6 mol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To find the moles of potassium bromide in 25 mL of a 4 M KBr solution, we first need to convert the volume from milliliters to liters. 25 mL is equal to 0.025 L. Then, we use the formula moles = molarity x volume in liters. Substituting the values, moles = 4 M x 0.025 L = 0.1 mol. Therefore, there are 0.1 moles of KBr in 25 mL of a 4 M solution. Choice A, 0.035 mol, is incorrect as it does not properly calculate the moles. Choice C, 0.18 mol, and choice D, 1.6 mol, are also incorrect as they are not the result of the correct calculation based on the given molarity and volume.

3. What is the name of the device that separates gaseous ions by their mass-to-charge ratio?

A. mass spectrometer
B. interferometer
C. magnetometer
D. capacitance meter

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A mass spectrometer is a device specifically designed to separate gaseous ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio. This separation process involves ionization, acceleration of the sample, and the deflection of ions in a magnetic field according to their mass-to-charge ratio. The other options, 'interferometer,' 'magnetometer,' and 'capacitance meter,' do not perform the specific function of separating gaseous ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, making them incorrect choices.

4. What is the name of the group of elements that contains chlorine, fluorine, and iodine?

A. Alkali metals
B. Halogens
C. Transition metals
D. Noble gases

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Halogens.' Halogens are a group of elements that include chlorine, fluorine, and iodine. These elements are part of Group 17 in the periodic table. They share similar properties such as high reactivity and the ability to readily form compounds. Choice A, 'Alkali metals,' is incorrect as alkali metals are found in Group 1 of the periodic table, which includes elements like lithium and sodium. Choice C, 'Transition metals,' is incorrect as transition metals are located in the middle section of the periodic table, not in Group 17. Choice D, 'Noble gases,' is incorrect as noble gases are in Group 18 and include elements like helium and neon, which are chemically inert.

5. Which substance causes a drop to rapidly turn litmus dye from blue to red?

A. Milk
B. Sea water
C. Ammonia
D. Lemon juice

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Lemon juice is the correct answer as it is acidic in nature. Acids like lemon juice release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water, which causes litmus dye to change color from blue to red. Milk (Choice A) is neutral, sea water (Choice B) is slightly alkaline, and ammonia (Choice C) is a base. Therefore, these substances do not cause litmus dye to change from blue to red.