Radiation

• What is ionisation?


  The addition or removal of an electron to create an ion
• What are the three types of radiation?

  • Alpha
  • Beta
  • Gamma
• What is an alpha particle?


  An alpha particle is a type of particle consisting of two protons and two neutrons, with a positive charge.
• What is a beta particle? 


  Fast moving electrons
• What is a gamma ray?


  An electromagnetic wave
• What can penetrate paper?

  Beta and gamma
• What can penetrate 3-5cm of air?

  Alpha, beta and gamma
• What can penetrate 5mm of aluminium?

  Gamma rays
• What can penetrate 5cm of lead?

  Gamma rays
• What is background radiation?

  Radiation constantly around us from things such as buildings and food
• What is the activity of radioactive source?

  The number of nuclei that decay per second and is measured in becquerel (Bq)

  
• What is half-life?


  Is the time taken for the activity of a radioactive source to reduce by half
• What is the absorbed dose?

  The energy absorbed per kilogram of mass and measured in gray (Gy)
• What is the absorbed dose?


  The energy absorbed per kilogram of mass and measured in gray (Gy)

  
• What is the equivalent dose?


  Measure of biological effect of radiation dose and measured in sievert (Sv)

  
• What is the equivalent dose rate?

  The equivalent dose per unit of time

  
• How can you protect yourself from radiation?

  • Limiting the length of time in contact with the source
  • Increasing the distance between the person and the source
  • Shielding with an appropriate thickness of absorber
• What is the most ionising radiation 


  Alpha
• What is the least ionising radiation?


  Gamma rays
• What is nuclear fission?

  The splitting of a nucleus into two where mass is lost and converted into energy

  
• What is nuclear fusion?

  Two atomic nuclei collide at a very high speed and join to form a new nucleus while some mass is lost and converted into energy