Element: Technetium (Tc)
Property | Value |
---|---|
Symbol | Tc |
Atomic Number | 43 |
Atomic Weight | 98 |
Group | 7 |
Period | 5 |
Block | d-block |
Density | 11 g/cm³ |
Appearance | Silvery-gray metallic |
Technetium is unique because it was the first element to be artificially produced. It was discovered by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segré in 1937 by isolating it from a sample of molybdenum that had been bombarded with deuterons. It is the lightest element that does not have stable isotopes; all of its isotopes are radioactive. The most stable isotope, Technetium-98, has a half-life of around 4.2 million years.
Technetium is primarily used as a radiopharmaceutical for medical diagnostic imaging. In fact, the isotope Technetium-99m is especially valuable in the field of nuclear medicine due to its ideal physical and chemical properties. It helps doctors in imaging and functional studies of organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs through techniques like Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
Question 1:
What is the atomic number of Technetium (Tc)?
43
You are correct!
Question 2:
Who discovered Technetium?
Perrier and Segre
Correct again!
Question 3:
What is the primary use of the isotope Technetium-99m in medicine?
used as a radiopharmaceutical
That’s correct!
Question 4:
What is the half-life of the most stable isotope of Technetium, Technetium-98?
4.2 Million Years
Absolutely right!
Would you like to study another element? If so, please let me know which one you are interested in or if you prefer I choose for you.
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