background radiation, contam and irridation, nuclear

Question 1

what is radioactive contamination

Answer 1

the unwanted presence of materials containing radioactive atoms on other materials. the materials then become a source / radioactive

Question 2

what is the hazard of contamination caused by

Answer 2

the decay of contaminating atoms

Question 3

whats irridation

Answer 3

the process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation, but the object doesn’t become radioactive / a source

Question 4

name natural sources of background radiation

Answer 4

rocks, cosmic rays from space, food

Question 5

name man made sources of background radiation

Answer 5

fallout from nuclear weapon testing and nuclear accidents, medical rays

Question 6

what can the level of background radiation + radiation dose be affected by

Answer 6

occupation and / or location

Question 7

whats radiation measured in

Answer 7

sieverts (Sv)

Question 8

contamination

Answer 8

when a person has radioactive material in/on them
lasts for a long time
source of radiation is transferred to object (they become radioactive)

Question 9

hazard of contaminated atoms

Answer 9

they decay releasing radiation

Question 10

example of contamination

Answer 10

radioactive dust settling onto your skin - becomes contaminated

Question 11

irridation

Answer 11

lasts for a short period of time
is exposed to radiation but doesn’t become radioactive
causes ionisation but doesn’t pose any risks

Question 12

example of irridation

Answer 12

radioactive dust emitting beta radiation which irridates ur skin

Question 13

hazards of irridation

Answer 13

irradiation can cause harm, contamination has the potential to cause far more harm, due to the continuous exposure to radiation that it will produce

Question 14

hazards of contamination

Answer 14

dangerous if a radioactive source gets into the human body
The internal organs will be irradiated as the source emits radiation as it moves through the body

Question 15

why are medical items sometimes irridated

Answer 15

to kill bacteria on its surface but not to make the tools themselves radioactive

Question 16

why should scientifc reports be peer reviewed

Answer 16

if initial studies/measurements are wrong, it could cause peole to die
to make sure no one is harmed and it works effectively and its safe

Question 17

what is nuclear fission

Answer 17

the splitting of a large unstable nucleus eg. uranium and plutonium

Question 18

why is spontaneous fission rare

Answer 18

for fission to occur, the unstable nucleus has to absorb a neutron first

Question 19

what does a nucleus undergoing fission split into

Answer 19

two smaller nuclei (roughly equal in size)
and emits two or three electrons and gamma rays
energy is also released

Question 20

what do all fission products have

Answer 20

kinetic energy

Question 21

what happens when a chain reaction is uncontrolled

Answer 21

an explosion

Question 22

whats nuclear fusion

Answer 22

the joining of two light nuclei to form a heavier nucleus
sometimes mass is converted into the energy of radiation

Question 23

advantages of nuclear power compared to use ofshale gas

Answer 23

nuclear power: doesn’t emit carbon dioxide, doesn’t cause global warming, doesn’t cause earthquakes, releases more energy per kg of fuel