Radiation definitions Flashcards
Tera
X10 12
Giga
X10 9
Mega
X10 6
Kilo
X10 3
Centi
X10 -2
Milli
X10 -3
Micro
X10 -6
Nano
X10 -9
Pico
X10 -12
Alpha atom
Helium nucleus, slowest of all, heaviest, least penetrating, highest ionising
Beta
Fast moving electron, middle speed,
Gamma
High frequency waves, slowest of all, least penatrating, most ionising
Ionising
The gain or loss of an electron
Alpha charge
+2
Beta charge
-1
Gamma charge
0
What stops alpha
Sheet of paper
What stops beta
5mm thick aluminium
What stops gamma
2cm thick lead
Absorbed dose formula
D=E/m
Absorbed dose unit
Gray (Gy)
Energy absorbed umit
Joule (J)
Equivalent dose formula
H=DXwR
Weighting factor
n/a
Equivalent dose rate
H (with dot on top)= H/t
Equivalent dose rate
Sieverts per second (SVs-1)
Benefits of nuclear fusion
No radiation wasted, fuel is cheap and abundant.
Problems with nuclear fusion
Needs tons of energy, needs to be contained in magnetic field
Benefits of nuclear fission
Not much carbon dioxide is produced, less fuel needed.
