Question

A physicist ingests 50.0 μCi of ⁶5Zn during machining. Each ⁶5Zn decay emits an average γ-ray energy of 0.550 MeV, 40.0% absorbed in the physicist's 75.0-kg body. What is the dose in mSv caused by this in one day?

a) 0.075 mSv
b) 0.150 mSv
c) 0.225 mSv
d) 0.300 mSv

Answer 1

To calculate the dose in mSv caused by the ingestion of 65Zn in one day, multiply the ingested quantity by the decay constant and the energy emitted per decay, then convert to mSv.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the dose in mSv caused by the ingestion of 65Zn in one day, we need to first find the activity of the 65Zn. The activity is calculated by multiplying the ingested quantity (50.0 µCi) by the decay constant. The decay constant for 65Zn is 9.46 x 10^-4 mCi.

Then, we can calculate the absorbed dose by multiplying the activity by the energy emitted per decay (0.550 MeV) and the fraction absorbed by the body (40.0%). Finally, we convert the dose to mSv by multiplying by the radiation weighting factor (1) and the tissue weighting factor (1). The dose in mSv is equal to 0.075 mSv, so the correct answer is option a) 0.075 mSv.