BASIC CONCEPTS OF RADIATION PART 1 Flashcards
the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles which cause ionization.
Radiation
- stream of particles or electromagnetic waves emitted by the atoms and molecules of a radioactive substance as a result of nuclear decay.
Radiation
3 Means of Radiation Entry through the Body
- Inhalation (exposure to Radon)
- Ingestion (vegetables contains radioactive materials because it is cultivated)
- Absorption/ skin cuts
2 Sources of Radiation
Natural Sources
Artificial Sources
a source of natural background radiation, which originates in outer space and is composed of penetrating ionizing radiation (both particulate and electromagnetic).
Cosmic (Background) Radiation
The Penetrating ionizing radiation
Particulate and electromagnetic
the sun and stars send a constant stream of cosmic radiation to Earth, much like a steady drizzle of rain.
Cosmic (Background) Radiation
electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere.
Terrestrial Radiation (Long Wave Radiation)-
Radioactive material is also found throughout nature such as in soil, water, and vegetation.
Terrestrial Radiation
Low levels of __________________________________ are found everywhere
uranium, thorium, and their decay products
Major isotopes of concern for terrestrial radiation:
- uranium
- decay products of uranium
decay products of uranium such as
a. Thorium
b. Radium
c. Radon
is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which can accumulate in enclosed places, including houses and other buildings.
Radon
comes from the radioactive chain of uranium, which is present in small amounts almost everywhere in the Earth’s crust.
Radon
when a radioactive atom decays, its nucleus which is unstable, breaks down, turning into the nucleus of another element
daughter product
three types of natural sources
- Cosmic Radiation
- Terrestrial Radiation
- Internal Radionuclide (Radiation)
T/F: The dose from terrestrial sources also varies in different parts of the world
True
The dose from terrestrial sources also varies in different parts of the world because of the __________
differences/ variation of deposits
differences/ variation of deposits
Internal Radionuclide (Radiation)
the primary source of radiation from the human body.
Potassium 40
Radioactive inside our body
- Potassium 40
- Lead 210
- Carbon 14
The 40K concentration in the body is fairly ____?
high
T/F: - the variation in dose from one person to another is not as great as the variation in dose from cosmic and terrestrial sources.
True
is ingested in many foods that we eat and is a critically important element for proper functioning of the human body
Potassium
The amount of the radioactive isotope 40K in a 70 kg person
5,000Bq; 5,000 atoms
1 Banana =
0.01 mrem
sources are from human food derived from plants.
Carbon-14
T/F: The rates of disintegration of potassium-40 and carbon-14 in the normal adult body are comparable (a few thousand disintegrated nuclei per second.)
True
T/F: The level of carbon-14 in living things is the same as the atmospheric level, because plants and animals constantly absorb new carbon sources by photosynthesizing or by eating.
True
T/F: The level of carbon-14 in living things is the same as the atmospheric level, because plants and animals constantly absorb new carbon sources by photosynthesizing or by eating.
True
___________________ is the basis for carbon dating in dead material
The ratio of carbon-14 to regular carbon-12
- is any individual except when the individual is receiving an occupational dose.
Member of the public
is the dose received by an individual in the course of employment in which the individual’s assigned duties involve exposure to radiation or to radioactive material.
Occupational dose-
This does not include the dose received from background radiation, from any medical administration the individual has received, from exposure to individuals administered radioactive materials from voluntary participation in medical programs or as a member of the public.
Occupational dose-
4 Man-made radiation sources that result in an exposure to members of the public:
- Medical procedures
- Consumer products
- Nuclear fuel cycle
- Shipment of radioactive materials and residual fallout from nuclear weapons testing and accidents.
most significant sources of man-made radiation exposure to the public, such as diagnostic X-rays, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy.
Medical procedure
5 Major isotopes:
· I-131 · Tc- 99m · Co-60 · Ir-192 · Cs- 137
Members of the public are exposed to radiation from 12 consumer products such as:
· Tobacco (thorium) · Building materials · Combustible fuels (gas, coal, etc.) · Ophthalmic glass · Televisions · Luminous watches and dials (tritium) · Airport X-ray systems · Smoke detectors (Americium) · Road construction materials · Electron tubes · Fluorescent lamp starters · Lantern mantles (thorium)