Background Radiation

Question 1

Name two natural sourcesof radiation

Answer 1

1. High energy cosmic rays from space
2. Rocks (like granite)

Question 2

Name two man-made sources of radiation

Answer 2

1. Fall out from nuclear weapons testing
2. Nuclear accidents

Question 3

Which two factors affect the levels of background radiation and someone’s dose of radiation?

Answer 3

Location

Occupation

Question 4

Explain why if there is a small amount of radioactive nuclei remaining in a sample, it still might be unsafe to dispose of

Answer 4

There are still some atoms remaining
So there is still some radiation emitted
So there is still a small risk of irradiation or contamination

Question 5

Explain why if there is a small amount of radioactive nuclei remaining in a sample, it is safe to dispose of

Answer 5

The number is low so there will be a low activity

So there will be a unlikely to be a substantial risk of contamination/radiation