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strontium-90 [90]Sr
One of several radioactive isotopes of strontium.
Occurrence:
1) by-product of nuclear explosions
2) produced during fission of heavy nuclei, such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239
Characteristics:
1) 1/2life of 29.1 years
2) emits beta particles.
-> 'braking' of beta-particles by water or other materials results in emission of X-rays
3) radioactivity of Sr-90 is about 138 curies/gram
4) it decays it Yttrium-90, also an emitter of beta-particles
5) Sr-90 in bone increases risk of osteosarcoma & leukemia
6) inhalation of 10 ug of insoluble Sr-90 would result in a high probability of cancer
Uses:
-> radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs)
General
strontium [Sr]
Properties
SIZE: AW = 87.62
atomic number
VALUE: 38
VALENCE: KR 5S2
References
- Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Miriam-
Webster Inc. Springfield, MA 1990
- Chemical & Engineering News, Sept 8, 2003