Radiations effect on living tissue

Question 1

What does absorbing radiation do to cells?

Answer 1

When tissue absorbs radiation it warms up and if it gets too hot it can cause damage

Question 2

How can the heating effect of radiation be altered?

Answer 2

Increasing exposure time and intensity increases the thermal energy transferred

Question 3

How microwaves (kitchen appliances) work?

Answer 3

Some microwaves are strongly absorbed by water molecules and so can be used to heat objects with a high water content, like most foods, the metal door and screens of the microwave oven reflect or absorb the radiation to protect the user from the radiation

Question 4

How does the atmosphere protect us from ionising radiation?

Answer 4

Some radiation like high energy ultraviolet emits ionising radiation that if exposed to living cells can cause them to die or become cancerous, the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet radiation and stops it from exposing to us

Question 5

How can we use X-rays?

Answer 5

Physical barriers can absorb some ionising radiation like x-rays which are absorbed by dense objects. We can use this to produce shadow pictures of bones in our bodies or luggage on a plane. Things like lead and concrete protect radiographers