Final answer:
A good radioisotope tracer used in medical applications has a short half-life, gamma radiation, decays to a nontoxic form, and behaves chemically like non-radioactive elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
A good radioisotope tracer used in medical applications has the following characteristics:
- Short half-life: Radioisotopes with short half-lives decay quickly, allowing for precise imaging and diagnostics.
- Gamma radiation: Gamma radiation is highly penetrating and can be easily detected, making it ideal for medical imaging.
- Decay to nontoxic form: After undergoing radioactive decay, the radioisotope should transform into a non-radioactive, non-toxic form.
- Chemical similarity: Radioisotopes should behave chemically in the same way as their non-radioactive counterparts to accurately trace biological processes.