Nuclear Radiation (T3)

Question 1

What are the three types of nuclear radiation? Describe them..

Answer 1

• alpha
• beta
• gamma
• alpha is the least penetrating while gamma is the most penetrating
• all three are ionising radiation

Question 2

Whilst radiation can be harmful, what are four uses of radiation?

Answer 2

• detect smoke
• gauge the thickness of paper
• treat cancer
• sterilise medical equipment

Question 3

Nuclear radiation comes from the…

Answer 3

Nucleus of an atom

Question 4

Substances that give our radiation are said to be…

Answer 4

Radioactive

Question 5

Describe alpha radiation…

Answer 5

• the least penetrating of the three types of nuclear radiation
• it can be stopped (or absorbed) by a sheet of paper
• it can travel only a few cm in air

Question 6

Describe beta radiation..

Answer 6

• can penetrate air and paper
• can travel 10’s of cm in the air
• can be stopped by a thin sheet of aluminium

Question 7

Describe gamma radiation..

Answer 7

• the most penetrating form of radiation
• even small levels can penetrate air, paper or thin metal
• high levels can only be stopped by many cm of lead of many metres of concrete

Question 8

What is the difference between ionising and non-ionising radiation?

Answer 8

Radiation above a certain energy level (ultraviolet and upwards) is said to be ionising, and can damage the tissues of living creatures by turning some atoms into ions. The damage can often manifest in the form of cancers.

Question 9

Briefly explain what radiation sickness is…

Answer 9

• when too many cells die all at once and the poisonous products that they give off as they decompose make you I’ll
• too much ionising radiation of any sort can cause radiation sickness

Question 10

Explain the dangers of damage caused by radiation…

Answer 10

• X-rays and gamma rays can severely damage the DNA in a cell and so cause genetic mutations
• this is especially dangerous for a foetus or developing baby as it will give rise to abnormalities in the affected organ or limb
• a genetic mutation in a single cell could also be the start of a tumour or cancerous disease like leukaemia

Question 11

Describe gamma rays…

Answer 11

• the most damaging ionising radiation of them all, imparting the most energy per photon
• often used these days as a specific cancer treatment and a means of bacterial control

Question 12

List three uses of gamma rays..

Answer 12

• sterilising food and medical
• equipment
• detection of cancer and its treatment