Week 1 Flashcards
What is the ALARA principle?
ALARA stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable, emphasizing the reduction of radiation exposure to patients and staff.
What role do electrons play in atomic structure?
Electrons are negatively charged particles in shells around the nucleus, involved in chemical bonding and reactions.
What are the cardinal rules of radiation protection?
The cardinal rules are time, distance, and shielding to minimize radiation exposure.
What potential damage can ionizing radiation cause?
Ionizing radiation can cause tissue damage, increase cancer risk, and lead to genetic mutations.
What are isotopes and how do they differ from isobars?
Isotopes have the same atomic number but different mass numbers; isobars have the same mass number but different atomic numbers.
What are x-rays and their primary characteristic?
X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation capable of penetrating materials and producing photonic images.
What is matter?
Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.
What is a neutron and its role in an atom?
A neutron is a neutral particle in the nucleus that contributes to the atoms mass and stability.
What is the responsibility of personnel in providing radiation protection?
Personnel must use proper shielding, procedures, and exposure techniques to protect against radiation.
Explain atomic number and mass number.
Atomic number is the number of protons; mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.
Define radiation protection.
Radiation protection includes all methods by which people are protected from unnecessary ionizing radiation.
Why is radiation protection important?
It prevents harmful effects of ionizing radiation on biological tissue and ensures safety in medical procedures.
How are x-rays beneficial as a diagnostic tool?
X-rays allow for non-invasive internal imaging, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Describe the basic structure of an atom.
An atom consists of a nucleus made of protons and neutrons, surrounded by electrons in shells.
What is the significance of binding energy in an atom?
Binding energy is the energy required to break particles apart; it determines an atoms stability.
How does the Bohr model describe an atom?
The Bohr model depicts atoms with electrons in circular orbits around a centrally charged nucleus, like a solar system.
What is ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation is radiation that produces positively and negatively charged particles (ions) when passing through matter.
Define atomic excitation and ionization.
Excitation is energy absorption causing electrons to move to higher shells; ionization is energy causing electron removal.
What are the risks associated with radiation?
Risks include biological damage, such as cancer and genetic mutations, due to cellular ionization.
What are the potential dangers of x-rays to biological tissue?
X-rays can cause ionization in tissues, leading to cell damage, cancer risk, and other biological effects.