Week 2 Flashcards
What safety measures are used to protect against radiation exposure from alpha particles?
Alpha particles can be blocked by paper or skin, so minimizing inhalation or ingestion is crucial for safety.
What are some common sources of man-made radiation?
Common man-made sources are medical imaging (X-rays, CT scans), nuclear power plants, and certain consumer products.
What distinguishes ionizing radiation from non-ionizing radiation?
Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, whereas non-ionizing radiation does not.
Why is linear accelerator technology important in radiation treatment?
It accelerates electrons to produce high-energy radiation beams for precise tumor targeting.
What responsibilities do individuals have in ensuring radiation protection?
Individuals are responsible for following safety protocols, using protective equipment, and minimizing unnecessary exposure.
In what situations can alpha particles become highly damaging to biological tissues?
Alpha particles are harmful when radioactive materials are ingested or inhaled, damaging internal tissues.
How does ionizing radiation affect matter at an atomic level?
It ionizes atoms by displacing electrons, potentially causing biological damage.
What role do protons play in defining an element in the periodic table?
Protons determine an elements atomic number and placement on the periodic table.
How do electromagnetic waves differ from particulate radiation?
Electromagnetic waves travel in wave form and include light and radio waves, while particulate radiation consists of particles like alpha and beta particles.
How are neutrons involved in the concept of isotopes?
Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.
How do gamma rays differ from alpha and beta particles in radioactive decay?
Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge, often emitted with alpha/beta particles.
What is the process of radioactive decay?
Radioactive decay is the emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei, leading to transformation into a different element.
What are equivalent dose and absorbed dose in the context of ionizing radiation?
Equivalent dose considers radiation types potential for biological harm, while absorbed dose is the energy deposited per unit mass.
Why is the speed of light important in understanding electromagnetic radiation?
The speed of light is constant for all electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum and helps relate energy, frequency, and wavelength.
How does equivalent dose differ from effective dose in radiation protection?
Equivalent dose takes into account the type and energy of radiation, while effective dose considers the specific organs affected and their sensitivity.
Why are microwaves and radio waves considered non-ionizing radiation?
They lack sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms.
What materials are effective in shielding against beta radiation?
Materials like lead or wood can shield against beta radiation, requiring thicker layers for higher energy levels.
How do beta particles differ from alpha particles in terms of penetration and interaction?
Beta particles are lighter, have less charge, penetrate deeper, and cause less ionization than alpha particles.
What is the dual nature of electromagnetic radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation exhibits wave-particle duality, behaving as both waves and particles (photons).
What are the characteristics of alpha particles?
Alpha particles are helium nuclei with 2 protons and 2 neutrons, having large mass and positive charge.
How are energy, frequency, and wavelength related in the electromagnetic spectrum?
Energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely proportional to wavelength.
What are the primary sources of natural radiation?
Natural sources include cosmic rays, radon gas, terrestrial radiation, and internal radiation from radionuclides within the body.
How does the electromagnetic spectrum categorize different types of radiation?
The spectrum categorizes radiation by frequency and wavelength, from gamma rays (high frequency) to radio waves (low frequency).
What are the primary uses of beta radiation in medical treatments?
Beta radiation is used for treating superficial skin lesions and delivering radiation boosts to tumors.
What are some examples of radiation that can damage biological tissue?
Gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy ultraviolet radiation are examples that can damage tissue.
What factors are considered in calculating the equivalent dose (EqD)?
Equivalent dose considers the type of ionizing radiation absorbed and is measured in Sieverts (Sv) or millisieverts (mSv).
What are the primary sources of natural radiation?
Natural radiation sources include terrestrial (e.g., radon), cosmic (solar and galactic), and internal from radionuclides.
What are the medical applications of gamma radiation?
Gamma radiation is used in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment through techniques such as using gamma cameras and inserting radioactive seeds.
What is the purpose of the effective dose (EfD) in radiation protection?
EfD is used to assess the risk of radiation exposure by considering the absorbed dose, radiation type, and sensitivity of various body tissues.
How is the activity of a radioactive sample measured over time?
The activity is measured by the number of disintegrations per second and decreases based on the half-life of the material.
How do medical imaging procedures impact radiation exposure levels?
Procedures like radiography, fluoroscopy, and CT scans contribute to higher radiation exposure, varying based on equipment and techniques.
How does medical radiation contribute to human-made radiation exposure?
Medical radiation, primarily from imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans, significantly contributes to human-made radiation exposure.
What is the significance of entrance skin exposure (ESE) in medical imaging?
ESE measures the radiation dose received by the skin during diagnostic procedures, affecting overall patient exposure.
What is the difference between alpha, beta-, and beta+ particles?
Alpha particles consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, beta- particles are electrons, and beta+ particles (positrons) are the antimatter counterparts of electrons.
How does the half-life of a radioactive element affect its activity?
Half-life determines how quickly a radioactive element decays, influencing its activity and duration as a radiopharmaceutical.
What are Curie and Becquerel units and how do they differ?
Curie (Ci) is 3.7 x 10^10 disintegrations per second. Becquerel (Bq) is 1 dps. Ci is a large unit, often reported in millicuries.
How does the Sievert compare to the REM as a unit of measurement?
One Sievert (Sv) is equivalent to 100 REMs. The Sievert is larger and is part of the SI system of measurement.
What is the role of body part weighting factors in calculating EfD?
Weighting factors account for the varying risk levels of developing cancer in different body organs/tissues when exposed to radiation.
How is absorbed dose measured and what units are used?
Absorbed dose is measured in milligray (mGy), representing the amount of kinetic energy per unit mass absorbed by a material from ionizing radiation.
What are the differences in radiation doses between CT procedures and other imaging methods?
CT scans generally expose patients to higher radiation doses than standard X-rays or radiography.
What are the main sources of radiation from consumer products?
Consumer products containing radioactive material, air travel, and nuclear power generation are major sources of human-made radiation.
How did the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occur, and what were its short-term effects?
Triggered by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, it caused significant radiation exposure, with potential long-term cancer risks being studied.
What types of cancers are mentioned as potential results of radiation exposure?
Radiation exposure can lead to cancers such as thyroid, lung, breast cancer, leukemia, and genetic mutations.
What are some of the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure?
Long-term effects include increased risks of solid cancers, leukemia, genetic mutations, and cataracts.
How does gamma radiation differ from other forms of radiation?
Gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted from an atoms nucleus, whereas alpha and beta particles are particles, not waves.
What were the major health impacts of the Chernobyl nuclear accident?
The 1986 Chernobyl accident resulted in increased thyroid cancer rates, particularly in children, and rises in breast cancer and leukemia.
How do radiography and fluoroscopy compare in terms of radiation exposure?
Both contribute substantial doses, with fluoroscopy usually involving continuous exposure, leading to higher doses than single-snapshot radiography.
What are isotopes and how do they relate to radioactive disintegration?
Isotopes are forms of elements with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Radioactive isotopes have unstable nuclei that undergo radioactive disintegration, emitting particles or radiation.
What occurred during the Three Mile Island 2 accident and what were its consequences?
The 1979 accident in Pennsylvania involved a partial reactor meltdown but released minimal radiation.
What types of biological damage can ionizing radiation cause?
Ionizing radiation can cause molecular changes, cellular damage, and organic damage, including cancer and genetic mutations.
