Final answer:
The challenge involves calculating the radiation dose received by a tumor during a medical treatment procedure. We need to determine the dose in rem after considering various factors like source activity, percentage of gamma rays hitting the patient, absorption by the tumor, and finally, we check the consistency with therapeutic doses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to radiation therapy in medicine and involves the calculation of the dose in rem delivered to a cancerous tumor after exposure to gamma rays from a Cobalt-60 source. This requires comprehension of radioactivity and dose calculations, which are key concepts in medical physics.
Understanding Radiation Dosage
First, we establish the activity of the source in Bq, using 1 Ci = 3.7 × 10¹⁰ Bq. So, a 5000-Ci source equals 1.85 × 10¹⁵ Bq.
Next, we calculate the total number of disintegrations that occur during the 32.0 seconds of exposure.
We then find the fraction of gamma rays striking the patient and the fraction absorbed by the tumor.
The energy absorbed by the tumor is then calculated using the given average gamma ray energy.
Finally, the dose in rem is determined by converting the absorbed energy into the unit of rem, factoring in the mass of the tumor.
The therapeutic consistency of the dose can then be checked against standard therapeutic doses usually prescribed for radiation therapy.