By Allan Lipka

The process began by graphing the data gathered from Dr. K in a scatter plot to see the general trend.

The second step is inferring a half life by comparing the data to a theoretical trend.

This gives us a rough half life of 20 days

After determining a estimate half life, it is then possible to search for a list of isotopes on the Lawrence Radiation Lab website.

Using my range of confidence, I searched for a list of isotopes with a half-life between 10 to 30 days

Now, it was time to examine each isotope to determine which ones can be eliminated.

The first elimination are those isotopes that emit alpha particles

The amended list looks something like this

The next round of elimination are those isotopes that are not metals, as the treatment process requires a metal

The next round are the isotopes that are not created through neutron activation

This round eliminates all of the isotopes that produce X-rays or Gamma-rays in excess of 100 KeV, as per the guidelines we were given unless the percentage chance of the isotope of giving off radiation in excess of 100 is very, very low.

The last requirement the this isotope must meet is having a stable daughter product

Both chromium and palladium have stable daughter products. (iridium-193m was eliminated after a helpful hint from Dr. K)

Since both of these isotopes have strong potential to be the real isotope injected into Dr. K, I had to perform a little background research.

This research helped me to find that isotopes of palladium are some of the most common used, in addition to the fact that this isotope is much closer to the 17-day half-life I predicted.

Therefore, I strongly support the isotope palladium-103 as my candidate.