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Radiation Protection > Week 2 > Flashcards

Week 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What safety measures are used to protect against radiation exposure from alpha particles?

A

Alpha particles can be blocked by paper or skin, so minimizing inhalation or ingestion is crucial for safety.

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2
Q

What are some common sources of man-made radiation?

A

Common man-made sources are medical imaging (X-rays, CT scans), nuclear power plants, and certain consumer products.

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3
Q

What distinguishes ionizing radiation from non-ionizing radiation?

A

Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms, whereas non-ionizing radiation does not.

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4
Q

Why is linear accelerator technology important in radiation treatment?

A

It accelerates electrons to produce high-energy radiation beams for precise tumor targeting.

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5
Q

What responsibilities do individuals have in ensuring radiation protection?

A

Individuals are responsible for following safety protocols, using protective equipment, and minimizing unnecessary exposure.

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6
Q

In what situations can alpha particles become highly damaging to biological tissues?

A

Alpha particles are harmful when radioactive materials are ingested or inhaled, damaging internal tissues.

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7
Q

How does ionizing radiation affect matter at an atomic level?

A

It ionizes atoms by displacing electrons, potentially causing biological damage.

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8
Q

What role do protons play in defining an element in the periodic table?

A

Protons determine an elements atomic number and placement on the periodic table.

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9
Q

How do electromagnetic waves differ from particulate radiation?

A

Electromagnetic waves travel in wave form and include light and radio waves, while particulate radiation consists of particles like alpha and beta particles.

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10
Q

How are neutrons involved in the concept of isotopes?

A

Isotopes are atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

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11
Q

How do gamma rays differ from alpha and beta particles in radioactive decay?

A

Gamma rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge, often emitted with alpha/beta particles.

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12
Q

What is the process of radioactive decay?

A

Radioactive decay is the emission of radiation from unstable atomic nuclei, leading to transformation into a different element.

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13
Q

What are equivalent dose and absorbed dose in the context of ionizing radiation?

A

Equivalent dose considers radiation types potential for biological harm, while absorbed dose is the energy deposited per unit mass.

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14
Q

Why is the speed of light important in understanding electromagnetic radiation?

A

The speed of light is constant for all electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum and helps relate energy, frequency, and wavelength.

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15
Q

How does equivalent dose differ from effective dose in radiation protection?

A

Equivalent dose takes into account the type and energy of radiation, while effective dose considers the specific organs affected and their sensitivity.

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16
Q

Why are microwaves and radio waves considered non-ionizing radiation?

A

They lack sufficient energy to remove electrons from atoms.

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17
Q

What materials are effective in shielding against beta radiation?

A

Materials like lead or wood can shield against beta radiation, requiring thicker layers for higher energy levels.

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18
Q

How do beta particles differ from alpha particles in terms of penetration and interaction?

A

Beta particles are lighter, have less charge, penetrate deeper, and cause less ionization than alpha particles.

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19
Q

What is the dual nature of electromagnetic radiation?

A

Electromagnetic radiation exhibits wave-particle duality, behaving as both waves and particles (photons).

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20
Q

What are the characteristics of alpha particles?

A

Alpha particles are helium nuclei with 2 protons and 2 neutrons, having large mass and positive charge.

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21
Q

How are energy, frequency, and wavelength related in the electromagnetic spectrum?

A

Energy is directly proportional to frequency and inversely proportional to wavelength.

22
Q

What are the primary sources of natural radiation?

A

Natural sources include cosmic rays, radon gas, terrestrial radiation, and internal radiation from radionuclides within the body.

23
Q

How does the electromagnetic spectrum categorize different types of radiation?

A

The spectrum categorizes radiation by frequency and wavelength, from gamma rays (high frequency) to radio waves (low frequency).

24
Q

What are the primary uses of beta radiation in medical treatments?

A

Beta radiation is used for treating superficial skin lesions and delivering radiation boosts to tumors.

25
Q

What are some examples of radiation that can damage biological tissue?

A

Gamma rays, X-rays, and high-energy ultraviolet radiation are examples that can damage tissue.

26
Q

What factors are considered in calculating the equivalent dose (EqD)?

A

Equivalent dose considers the type of ionizing radiation absorbed and is measured in Sieverts (Sv) or millisieverts (mSv).

27
Q

What are the primary sources of natural radiation?

A

Natural radiation sources include terrestrial (e.g., radon), cosmic (solar and galactic), and internal from radionuclides.

28
Q

What are the medical applications of gamma radiation?

A

Gamma radiation is used in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment through techniques such as using gamma cameras and inserting radioactive seeds.

29
Q

What is the purpose of the effective dose (EfD) in radiation protection?

A

EfD is used to assess the risk of radiation exposure by considering the absorbed dose, radiation type, and sensitivity of various body tissues.

30
Q

How is the activity of a radioactive sample measured over time?

A

The activity is measured by the number of disintegrations per second and decreases based on the half-life of the material.

31
Q

How do medical imaging procedures impact radiation exposure levels?

A

Procedures like radiography, fluoroscopy, and CT scans contribute to higher radiation exposure, varying based on equipment and techniques.

32
Q

How does medical radiation contribute to human-made radiation exposure?

A

Medical radiation, primarily from imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans, significantly contributes to human-made radiation exposure.

33
Q

What is the significance of entrance skin exposure (ESE) in medical imaging?

A

ESE measures the radiation dose received by the skin during diagnostic procedures, affecting overall patient exposure.

34
Q

What is the difference between alpha, beta-, and beta+ particles?

A

Alpha particles consist of 2 protons and 2 neutrons, beta- particles are electrons, and beta+ particles (positrons) are the antimatter counterparts of electrons.

35
Q

How does the half-life of a radioactive element affect its activity?

A

Half-life determines how quickly a radioactive element decays, influencing its activity and duration as a radiopharmaceutical.

36
Q

What are Curie and Becquerel units and how do they differ?

A

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.

37
Q

How does the Sievert compare to the REM as a unit of measurement?

A

One Sievert (Sv) is equivalent to 100 REMs. The Sievert is larger and is part of the SI system of measurement.

38
Q

What is the role of body part weighting factors in calculating EfD?

A

Weighting factors account for the varying risk levels of developing cancer in different body organs/tissues when exposed to radiation.

39
Q

How is absorbed dose measured and what units are used?

A

Absorbed dose is measured in milligray (mGy), representing the amount of kinetic energy per unit mass absorbed by a material from ionizing radiation.

40
Q

What are the differences in radiation doses between CT procedures and other imaging methods?

A

CT scans generally expose patients to higher radiation doses than standard X-rays or radiography.

41
Q

What are the main sources of radiation from consumer products?

A

Consumer products containing radioactive material, air travel, and nuclear power generation are major sources of human-made radiation.

42
Q

How did the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster occur, and what were its short-term effects?

A

Triggered by an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, it caused significant radiation exposure, with potential long-term cancer risks being studied.

43
Q

What types of cancers are mentioned as potential results of radiation exposure?

A

Radiation exposure can lead to cancers such as thyroid, lung, breast cancer, leukemia, and genetic mutations.

44
Q

What are some of the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure?

A

Long-term effects include increased risks of solid cancers, leukemia, genetic mutations, and cataracts.

45
Q

How does gamma radiation differ from other forms of radiation?

A

Gamma radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted from an atoms nucleus, whereas alpha and beta particles are particles, not waves.

46
Q

What were the major health impacts of the Chernobyl nuclear accident?

A

The 1986 Chernobyl accident resulted in increased thyroid cancer rates, particularly in children, and rises in breast cancer and leukemia.

47
Q

How do radiography and fluoroscopy compare in terms of radiation exposure?

A

Both contribute substantial doses, with fluoroscopy usually involving continuous exposure, leading to higher doses than single-snapshot radiography.

48
Q

What are isotopes and how do they relate to radioactive disintegration?

A

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.

49
Q

What occurred during the Three Mile Island 2 accident and what were its consequences?

A

The 1979 accident in Pennsylvania involved a partial reactor meltdown but released minimal radiation.

50
Q

What types of biological damage can ionizing radiation cause?

A

Ionizing radiation can cause molecular changes, cellular damage, and organic damage, including cancer and genetic mutations.

Radiation Protection (15 decks)

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