Background radiation

• Give 4 sources of background radiation

  • Rocks
  • cosmic rays from space
  • nuclear weapon testing
  • nuclear accidents
• How should background radiation be dealt with in calculations?

  The background count should be subtracted from any readings before calculation (half life etc.) are attempted.
• What is the unit used to measure radiation dosage?

  Sieverts (Sv)
• How many millisieverts equal 1 sievert?

  1000
• Why might the radiation dosage that different people experience differ?

  • Some occupations involve working with radiation
  • Background radiation differs with location due to things such as the locality of nuclear power stations or radiation related testing