Electron Radiation

Alpha radiation occurs when there are most neutrons in an atom, which causes the atom to turn into an isotope. Alpha radiation is formed due to the atom not being able to sustain the extra neutrons in the nucleus. The atom undergoes radioactive decay, which will emit helium particles (alpha radiation) which consists of two protons and two neutrons in order to stabilize itself.

In 2011 Japan was struck by a 9.0 earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami, leaving them with the responsibility to clean up the mess it made. The earthquake created a wave which hit Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant causing many problems. Radioactive leaks were a major problem which was a result of the tsunami. Radiation began to contaminate the Pacific ocean which impacted the fish in it as well. Radiation also contaminated underground water sources because of unreachable fuel rods stored in an unstable building. This tsunami has created a great deal of problems for the citizens of Japan.

There was a massive earthquake on March 11th, 2011 which led to an explosion at the Fukushima Daichi Nuclear Power Plant(NPP) which resulted in the release of huge amounts of harmful radioactive materials from the NPP into the environment. These radioactive substances further spread to the farms and also contaminating aquatic life, therefore, affecting the whole ecosystem overall. It was further reported by the Japanese Government that the concentration of radioactive substance cesium found in some freshwater fish in Fukushima Prefecture has still not recovered to safe limits i.e. 100 Bq/kg of radiations as they were exposed to the radiations as soon as the accident occurred, but the concentration of cesium in marine fish was found comparatively

The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (U.S.NRC) explains that radiation is something that is a part of everyday life, around us at all times (2011). “It comes from outer space (cosmic), the ground (terrestrial), and even from within our own bodies. It is present in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and in the construction materials used to build our homes (para. 2).” However, most individuals confuse the difference between harmful radiation (ionized) and non-ionizing radiation.

There are different types of ionizing radiation, including gamma rays and x-rays, which have been known to cause cancer. Additionally, because x-rays can kill living cells, when improperly used they can cause severe burns, cancer, leukemia, and cataracts. They can speed aging, reduce immunity to disease, and bring about disastrous changes in the reproductive cells.

In 1945 the United States of America dropped two nuclear bombs on Japan on in Nagasaki and the other in Hiroshima. Both of these locations are still affecting people in those areas, although not far as much as when the bombs went off. The radiation is very bad for us humans “A large, rapid dose of radiation causes cell death, and effects are apparent within hours, days, or weeks”(Reed). People suffer many health issues from high doses of radiation which can all result in

It has been three years since Japan experienced its worst ever earthquake, causing serious damage to Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The 9 magnitude quake and its resulting tsunami sent three of Japan's reactors into meltdown. This led to reactors being exposed to the environment and radiation waste able to seep into the ground as runoff and affect more areas. Could the government have done more in the early stages of this disaster to prevent any more horrible damage to the environment? Perhaps even lowering or dramatically reducing the cost and how much more Japan has to pay in order to clean up this mess? In this essay, I hope to explain my research of the disaster in Fukushima, Japan and hope to give a thorough explanation on the effects of radiation on the environment and how it affects life across the region.

Over the years Fukushima has had a radioactive leak that has been affecting the water and air through many towns. March 11th 2011, Fukushima had a earthquake that followed up with a tsunami, the tsunami shorted out the power of many nuclear reactors resulting in a leak. There was no deaths or radiation sickness due to the people evacuating very quickly. Many wildlife has been affected although, mainly sea animals because the water had been contaminated and spread throughout their sea front. Fukushima had to try their best to repair all the problems caused by radiation to return. The major problem about radiation is the effect on animals. When the contamination goes into a insect or water creature it will fly or swim many miles until a predator eats it and get contaminated as well, this contamination will spread even further and makes it really hard for it to go away, it’s possible that the radiation could travel very far if the animals keep traveling with the radiation inside them

Radiation is actuality of life and in terms of defining; it is the emission (sending out) of energy from any source. We live in a world in which radiation is unsurprisingly present everywhere and has been since the creation of this planet. Light and heat from nuclear reaction in sun are crucial to our survival. Radioactive materials occur naturally all through the environment and our bodies contain radioactive materials for example carbon-14, and potassium-40 naturally (Knoll, 1989). All life on Earth has evolved in the presence of this radiation. One can categorize radiation according to the effects it produces on matter, into non-ionizing and ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing

The research and application of the world surrounding atoms is known as Nuclear Science. In 1896, French physicist, Antoine Henri Becquerel, along with Polish physicist and chemist, Marie Curie, and her husband, Pierre Curie, conducted an experiment involving the phosphorus in uranium, which led them to the discovery of radiation. Since then, nuclear science has resulted in the advancement of technology, energy sources, industrial production, agriculture, archaeology, research and most prominently, the medical field. Through the utilisation of radioactive materials, known as radionuclide or radioisotope, the medical practitioners have been able to accurately diagnose, treat and monitor the progress of one’s health.

Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that is able to disrupt atoms and molecules on which they pass through, giving rise to ions and free radicals. It is made up of energetic subatomic particles, ions or atoms moving at high speeds, and electromagnetic waves on the high-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum. There are five primary types of Ionizing Radiation, Alpha Particles, Beta Particles, Gamma Rays, X-Rays and Neutrons. Alpha Particles are charged particles, which are two neutrons and two protons. They have a very limited ability to penetrate other materials, because they travel short distances and they have large mass. The only hazard that the caused is when they are inhaled. Beta Particles are electrons or positrons, which are

It can affect the atoms in living things, and can pose a health risk by damaging tissue and DNA. Ionizing radiation comes from radioactive elements, cosmic particles, and x-ray machines. There is also non-ionizing radiation that is far less harmful than ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation has enough energy to make atoms move or vibrate, but not enough energy to knock electrons out of them completely. It is found in radio waves, visible light, and microwaves. The former USSR suffers from high levels of ionizing radiation, which has posed significant health and environmental issues that will not correct themselves for centuries.

Overall, radioactivity has both positive and negative effects on people and the environment. Radioactivity is used in modern day medical equipment and radiotherapy. But alongside this, radioactivity can be really harmful to the environment and to people through UV rays (from the sun), which can then lead to killing enzymes in our bodies, or even lead cancer. Although radioactivity can be harmful towards people and the environment, I believe that radioactivity is more of a blessing then a curse as it’s really important concerning doctors and a lot of people rely on

3. It is usually formed by the decay of radioactive metals, such as uranium, thorium, or radium

More than a year after the earthquake/tsunami destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, a large amount of fish in the area contain a significant amount of radioactive cesium that as high as they were when soon after the disaster happened, meaning that this problem is not going to go away any time soon. Scientists believe that it could take years, even decades to restore the ocean and its inhabitants to a safe amount of radiation. The levels of radiation are reaching the US west coast. Due to the reactors still leaking and spewing radiation many think this has caused the death in the Pacific of thousands of baby sea lions on the California coast, and 500 navy soldiers are still suffering from radiation poisoning after responding to the earlier Fukushima disaster. We also have reports that West Coast orca whales are experiencing extremely high infant mortality rates as radiation from Fukushima drifts across the ocean. The high level of radiation has now reached other countries through the ocean and it is affecting everything in its