Huge amounts of radioactive 131/53I were released in the accident at Chernobyl in 1986. Chemically, iodine goes to the human thyroid. (Doctors can use it for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid problems). In a normal thyroid, 131/53I absorption can cause damage to the thyroid.
(a) Write down the reaction for the decay of 131/53I.
(b) Its half-life is 8.0d; how long would it take for ingested 131/53I to become 10% of the initial value?
(c) Absorbing 1mCi of 131/53can be harmful; what mass of iodine is this?