Question

What is true about the effective vs actual radio-tracer half-life?

Answer 1

The effective half-life and actual half-life of a radio-tracer can differ. Radio-tracers with shorter half-lives are used in medical imaging for safety reasons.

Step-by-step explanation:

The effective half-life and the actual half-life of a radio-tracer can differ based on various factors.

1. The effective half-life takes into account both the radioactive decay and the elimination of the tracer from the body through natural processes.
2. The actual half-life refers only to the time it takes for half of the radioactive tracer to decay.
3. In medical imaging, radio-tracers with short half-lives are often used to minimize unnecessary exposure and ensure they do not persist in the body for a long time.