Radioactive Tracer
A chemical compound containing a radioisotope used to trace chemical or biological pathways through living organisms or industrial systems.
Governing formula
A(t) = A₀ e^(-λ t) (Short half-life diagnostic radiopharmaceutical)
SI unit
MBq or mCi (Administered Activity)
In depth
Radioactive tracers exhibit identical chemical behavior as stable elements while emitting detectable gamma radiation. Short half-lives minimize patient radiation dose while providing high diagnostic sensitivity.
Examples in the real world
Technetium-99m used in SPECT bone scans, and Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) used in PET oncology brain imaging.