P7- alpha beta and gamma

Question 1

How far can alpha, beta and gamma radiation travel in air?

Answer 1

Alpha = 1-2 cm, beta = 1-2m, gamma = unlimited

Question 2

What materials will absorb alpha, beta and gamma radiation?

Answer 2

alpha = paper, beta 1-2mm aluminum sheet and gamma = thick lead or 1-4 m of concrete

Question 3

What is ionisation and which type of radiation is the most ionising?

Answer 3

Ionisation= type of high-energy radiation that has enough energy to remove an electron from an atom or molecule, causing it to become
ionized. Alpha is the most ionising.

Question 4

What is the difference between being irradiated and being contaminated?

Answer 4

Being irradiated means you are exposed to radiation and being contaminated means
that you have radioactive material on or inside your body.

Question 5

How can workers reduce their exposure to ionising radiation?

Answer 5

Using safety screen and clothing or limiting the time they are exposed to it.

Question 6

Describe how a smoke alarm and a thickness monitor work.

Answer 6

A smoke alarm uses alpha radiation. If smoke particles are present they will be ionised by the alpha particles and this will trigger the alarm