Term
| What is the most penetrating type of ionising nuclear radiation? |
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Definition
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Term
How much air can the following types of radiation pentrate:
Alpha
Beta
Gamma |
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Definition
Alpha only penetrates ~5-10cm of air.
Beta penetrates ~50cm of air (half a meter).
Gamma penetrates kilometers of air. (this is why gamma radiation can hit us from the Sun and stars) |
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Term
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Definition
| Cosmic rays is gamma radiation that comes from the sun and space (aka the cosmos). |
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Term
Background radiation is radiation that is always present, in the background.
Give three sources of NATURAL background radiation. |
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Definition
Granite rock
Cosmic rays
Radon gas |
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Term
Background radiation is radiation that is always present, in the background.
Give three sources of man-made background radiation. |
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Definition
Nuclear fallout (pollution) from nuclear weapons and exploded nuclear power stations.
Nuclear waste from nuclear power stations.
Medical uses e.g. x-rays and radioactive tracers. |
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Term
| Where does an alpha source have to be in order to be dangerous to humans? |
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Definition
Alpha sources have to be:
Inhaled (breathed) into the lungs or
Injested (swallowed) into the stomach or
Injected
in order to be dangerous.
(This is because alpha radiation cannot even penetrate our skin). |
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Term
| Where does a beta source need to be in order to be dangerous to humans? |
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Definition
| Beta sources need to be within 1 meter of a person in order to be dangerous. Beta radiation can penetrate the skin but cannot penetrate 1 meter of air. |
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Term
| Where does a gamma source need to be in order to be dangerous to humans? |
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Definition
| A gamma source is dangerous if it is anywhere within 1km of humans. Gamma radiations emitted from the source can easily penetrate kilometers of air, glass, skin and other materials. |
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Term
| What material is required to stop (absorb) gamma radiation? |
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Definition
Gamma radiation can be stopped by:
Several centimeters of lead.
Meters of concrete or rock. |
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Term
| What type of radiation is the most massive and what is its mass? |
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Definition
Alpha radiation is the most massive.
Alpha radiation has a mass of 4 relative atomic mass units. |
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Term
| What type of radiation has the most charge, and what is its charge? |
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Definition
Alpha radiation has the greatest charge.
Alpha radiation has a charge of 4 relative atomic charge units. |
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