Uses of Radioactivity

Question 1

How can background radiation be detected?

Answer 1

Background radiation can be detected using a Geiger counter.

Question 2

What are the 6 origins of background radiation?

Answer 2

• radon gas (50.1%)
• medical uses (14.3%)
• ground and buildings (13.5%)
• food and drink (11.6%)
• cosmic rays (10%)
• other sources (0.5%)

Question 3

What 3 things are included in background radiation that humans have been involved in?

Answer 3

• nuclear power stations
• fallout from previous nuclear weapons tests, explosions and accidents
• radiation from equipment or waste from hospitals and industry

Question 4

How does background radiation come from cosmic rays?

Answer 4

Energetic particles such as electrons, protons and neutrinos that come from the Sun and outer space. They penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere to reach the surface. The danger from cosmic rays increases with altitude because there is less atmosphere to stop the radiation.

Question 5

How does background radiation come from rocks?

Answer 5

Rocks such as granite contain uranium which decays to produce radioactive radon gas.

Question 6

How does background radiation come from food?

Answer 6

All foods will have minute traces of radioactive nuclei.