0P2.6 Flashcards
How is radiation bad for us
Can cause mutations in the DNA which can cause it to behave differently such as dividing uncontrollably, causing cancer
How do we handle radioactive sources safely
We put them in lead lined boxes as that absorbs all the radiation. Handle them with tongs to avoid directly handling them. Don’t point them at people. Wear protective clothing in radiative zones such as Chernobyl
What is high level wastes and example
Waste material that is highly radioactive for about 50 years, after which it becomes intermediate level waste. Example is the waste products from nuclear fission
What is ILW and example
Intermediate level waste which is moderately radioactive for tens of thousands of years. Example include fission waste after 50 years and the containers containing them
What is LLW
Low level waste is slightly radioactive for a long time as well. This includes clothing and cleaning materials in nuclear power stations
How isHLW stored
Stored in thick concrete and steel containers that absorb the radiation. These containers are sealed in glass to stop any leakage and the glass is stored in canisters until the waste becomes ILW
How is ILW stored
Stored in concrete and steal containers
How is LLW stored
It’s compacted and buried in a special landfill because of the possibility of it leaking into the soil or water
Disadvantages of nuclear power
Needs energy to make fuel rods which may have been sourced from non environmentally friendly sources
Waste has to be safely stored for tens of thousands of years
When they go wrong, they go wrong badly
How is radioactivity measured, unit
Becquerel is 1 decay per seconds
What is the half life of a radioactive material
The time it takes for half the unstable nuclei in a source to decay. Half life time is always the same for a substance no matter how much of it there is
What is background radiation
The radiation we are exposed to from the environment every day
Sources of background radiation and percentages
Radon gas 50 Ground and buildings 14 Médical 14 Nuclear power .3 Cosmic rays 10 Other .2 Food and drink 11.5
Uses of radiation
X rays used to see inside bodies
Gamma rays and pet scanners detect cancers
Radiotherapy uses radiative sources to destroy the cancers
Stérilisés equipment as it kills all micro organisms
Irradiating foods by killing all harmful bacteria and micro organisms. Stored them longer
