Detecting Radiation

Question 1

How does a radiation badge work?

Answer 1

The photographic film blackens in presence of radiation. The film is put behind different absorbers (eg. Paper, aluminium) to find out which type of radiation is present

Question 2

How does a Geiger Müller Tube work?

Answer 2

The tube is connected to an incomplete circuit, with an electrode on the inner edge (the casing) of the tube (cathode) and an electrode up the middle (anode). Ionising radiation enters a chamber, ionising the atoms in the air. The electrons (-) go to the anode (+), the ions (+) go to the cathode (-). The ions flow across the gap between the edge and the middle, allowing a current to flow for a moment. The counter connected to the tube beeps.

Question 3

What is 1 Becquerel of activity?

Answer 3

One decay per second

Question 4

What precautions are taken to keep people who work with radioactive materials safe, and why?

Answer 4

Wear protective clothing (lead apron if feasible) or stand behind lead barriers, or simply move away from the source
Lead —> gamma rays (the most penetrating) are reduced by lead