a) Radioactive decay produces ionising radiation. Like all ionising radiation this can lead to harmful effects on living tissue due to cell damage including damage to DNA, mutation and cell death. Contrast the differing health risks associated when working with alpha, beta or gamma radiation sources. [Suggested word count 120] b) Describe some ways in which those working with radioactive sources and people in general can be protected against the risks of radiation exposure from such sources. [Suggested word count 100]

a) Radioactive decay produces ionising radiation. Like all ionising radiation this can lead to harmful effects on living tissue due to cell damage including damage to DNA, mutation and cell death. Contrast the differing health risks associated when working with alpha, beta or gamma radiation sources. [Suggested word count 120] b) Describe some ways in which those working with radioactive sources and people in general can be protected against the risks of radiation exposure from such sources. [Suggested word count 100]

Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text

5th Edition

ISBN:9781133104261

Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett

Chapter30: Nuclear Physics

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 65P

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Similar questions

(a) A cancer patient is exposed to rays from a 5000Ci 60Co transillumination unit for 32.0 s. The rays are collimated in such a manner that only 1.00% of them strike the patient. Of those, 20.0% are absorbed in a tumor having a mass of 1.50 kg. What is the dose in rem to the tumor, it the average energy per decay is 1.25 MeV? None of the s from the decay reach the patient. (b) Is the dose consistent with stated therapeutic doses?
Since the uranium or plutonium nucleus fissions into several fission fragments whose mass distribution covers a wide tango of pieces, would you expect more residual radioactivity from fission than fusion? Explain.
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Data from the appendices and the periodic table may be needed for these problems. There is more than one isotope of natural uranium. If a researcher isolates 1.00 mg of the relatively scarce 235U and finds this mass to have an activity of 80.0 Bq, what is its halflife in years?
The ruins of the Chernobyl reactor are enclosed in a huge concrete structure built around it after the accident. Some rain penetrates the building in winter, and radioactivity from the building increases. What does this imply is happening inside?
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undergoes alpha decay, (a) Write the reaction equation, (b) Find the energy released in the decay.
(a) Write the complete decay equation for 90Sr, a major waste product of nuclear reactors. (b) Find the energy released in the decay.
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