Hazards of radiation (Physics only)

This lesson will contrast radioactive contamination and irradiation, explores on the hazards associated with radiation and how the risk depends on the half-lives of the isotopes. We will also explore the origin of background radiation and how we can measure the radiation dose that we receive over time.

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Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is the best definition of 'activity'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

1/6

Q2.What is the best definition of 'half life'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

2/6

Q3.What is the best definition of 'count rate'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

3/6

Q4.What is activity measured in?

Be Bq g g/s

4/6

Q5.If a radioactive sample contained 1600 billion nuclei and its half life was 57 years, after how many years would there be 400 billion nuclei remaining?

57 114 171 400 800 1200

5/6

Q6.A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 20 hours. How long will it take for 3/4 of the source to decay?

10 hours 20 hours 30 hours 40 hours 50 hours 60 hours

6/6

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Before we start this lesson, let’s see what you can remember from this topic. Here’s a quick quiz!

Q1.What is the best definition of 'activity'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

1/6

Q2.What is the best definition of 'half life'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

2/6

Q3.What is the best definition of 'count rate'?

How much radiation there is The time taken for half the nuclei to decay The rate at which a source of unstable nuclei decays The number of decays recorded each second by a detector

3/6

Q4.What is activity measured in?

Be Bq g g/s

4/6

Q5.If a radioactive sample contained 1600 billion nuclei and its half life was 57 years, after how many years would there be 400 billion nuclei remaining?

57 114 171 400 800 1200

5/6

Q6.A radioactive isotope has a half-life of 20 hours. How long will it take for 3/4 of the source to decay?

10 hours 20 hours 30 hours 40 hours 50 hours 60 hours

6/6

Video

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Worksheet

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This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Hazards of Radiation (Physics only)

Use this quiz to see how well you have learnt about the Uses and Hazards of Radiation.

Q1.What is meant by 'background radiation'?

The amount of radiation that comes from man-made sources we are constantly exposed to. The radiation left-over from nuclear accidents. The radiation we are exposed to from space. The normal radiation we are exposed to from natural and man-made sources.

1/13

Q2.What does contamination mean?

The unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials. The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation. The process of an unstable nucleus becoming stable. Keeping safe from radiation.

2/13

Q3.What does irradiation mean?

3/13

Q4.Which of the statements below is correct?

Contamination with radioactive beta-emitting isotopes with a short half-life is a large hazard. Irradiation by an isotope emitting alpha particles poses a great danger. Contamination by an long half-life isotope emitting alpha particles poses a great danger. Contamination with a gamma emitting isotope with a short half-life is a low hazard.

4/13

Q5.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from cosmic rays?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

5/13

Q6.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from food?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

6/13

Q7.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from nuclear power stations and nuclear weapon testing?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

7/13

Q8.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from radon gas in the air?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

8/13

Q9.Is wearing gloves effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

9/13

Q10.Is lead sheilding effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

10/13

Q11.Is a film radiation badge effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

11/13

Q12.When measuring the thickness of paper using beta particles, is contamination or irradiation taking place.

Contamination Irradiation

12/13

Q13.When using a radioactive isotope within a pipeline to find leaks, is contamination or irradiation taking place?

Contamination Irradiation

13/13

This quiz includes images that don't have any alt text - please contact your teacher who should be able to help you with an audio description.

Quiz:

Hazards of Radiation (Physics only)

Use this quiz to see how well you have learnt about the Uses and Hazards of Radiation.

Q1.What is meant by 'background radiation'?

1/13

Q2.What does contamination mean?

2/13

Q3.What does irradiation mean?

3/13

Q4.Which of the statements below is correct?

4/13

Q5.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from cosmic rays?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

5/13

Q6.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from food?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

6/13

Q7.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from nuclear power stations and nuclear weapon testing?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

7/13

Q8.What percentage of our annual background radiation dose is from radon gas in the air?

Less than 1% 10-20% 50% or more

8/13

Q9.Is wearing gloves effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

9/13

Q10.Is lead sheilding effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

10/13

Q11.Is a film radiation badge effective at preventing contamination or irradiation or neither.

Contamination Irradiation Does not stop either.

11/13

Q12.When measuring the thickness of paper using beta particles, is contamination or irradiation taking place.

Contamination Irradiation

12/13

Q13.When using a radioactive isotope within a pipeline to find leaks, is contamination or irradiation taking place?

Contamination Irradiation

13/13

Lesson summary: Hazards of radiation (Physics only)

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Uses of radiation (Physics only)

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Hazards of radiation (Physics only)

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Intro quiz - Recap from previous lesson

Video

Worksheet

Hazards of Radiation (Physics only)

Hazards of Radiation (Physics only)

Lesson summary: Hazards of radiation (Physics only)

It looks like you have not completed one of the quizzes.

Time to move!

The next lesson in: Atomic Structure is: Uses of radiation (Physics only)

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The next lesson in:
Atomic Structure
is:
Uses of radiation (Physics only)