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AQA A-level Environmental Science > Topic 10: Ionising Radiation > Flashcards

Topic 10: Ionising Radiation Flashcards

1
Q

What is ionising radiation?

A

It is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is widely used

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2
Q

Ionising radiation can cause pollution. Where can radioactive waste result from?

A

Past nuclear weapons testing
Nuclear waste disposal
Nuclear power plant accidents
Transport,storage and processing of radioactive materials

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3
Q

5 uses of ionising radiation and nuclear power

A

Industry
Healthcare
Agriculture
Scientific research
Nuclear fission and fusion

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4
Q

Uses of ionising radiation in industry

A

Measure thickness of rolled metals/paper
Testing aircraft jet engine turbines
Strengthening polymers
In oil and gas exploration to test rock porosity

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5
Q

How is ionising radiation used in healthcare?

A

Sterilising surgical equipment
Cancer treatment
X-ray photography and CT scans

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6
Q

How is ionising radiation used in agriculture?

A

Pest control-stored food sterilisation
To sterilise male insects in pest control
Produce mutations in crop breeding programmes

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7
Q

How is ionising radiation used in scientific research?

A

Radio-labelled tracers to track the movement of materials within organisms or the environment

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8
Q

Uses of ionising radiation in nuclear fission and fusion

A

Nuclear weapons
500 nuclear test explosions took place up until 1980
Nuclear electricity-generated by nuclear reactors
Ship propulsion- high energy density nuclear fuel. Don’t need to be refuelled often so useful for submarines

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9
Q

What must be done when deciding to use ionising radiaiton?

A

A risk benefit analysis

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10
Q

Natural sources of radiation

A

Cosmic radiation from the sun
Gamma rays from the lithosphere
Internal sources in the body
Radon from the ground

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11
Q

Human activities that are sources of radiation

A

Medical exposure
Small amounts= occupational exposure, weapons fallout,consumer products, industrial effluent discharge

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12
Q

Cosmic radiation

A

Natural processes in the sum release large amounts of charged sub-atomic particles
When they reach earths surface they are absorbed which releases hight energy electromagnetic radiation e.g. gamma rays

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13
Q

How can you medically be exposed to ionising radiation?

A

X rays photography or radiography 9injected with radio-opaque drugs)
High does es or radiation to kill cancerous tissues
Uses of radio-labelled substances to track passages and assess any blockages

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14
Q

Examples of industries where there is more chance of being exposed to radiation

A

Nuclear facilities, mining,radiologists, dental technicians, research scientists,aircraft flight crews

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15
Q

Consumer products that are sources of radiaiton

A

Smoke detectors/some camping gas mantles contain radionucleids
Small amounts in ceramic/granite worktops
Fertilisers

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16
Q

What is the exposure to radiation that cant be avoided?

A

Background radiation
E.g. sun,rocks,food

17
Q

What affects the impact of ionising radiation?

A

The properties of the different types of radiaiton
E..g ionising radiaiton with poor penetrating power can be more easily absorbed

18
Q

RBE

A

Relative biological effectiveness
Measure of the comparitive effects of different types of ionising radiation on living tissues
More damaging forms of radiation have higher RBEs

19
Q

Properties of alpha radiation

A

Easily absorbed
Travels short distances
RBE: 20

20
Q

Health risks of alpha radiation

A

Absorbed by clothing/dead skin, so alpha emitters outside the body are usually safe
Ingested emitters are dangerous- cause more concentrated damage

21
Q

Properties of beta radiation

A

Absorbed moderately easily
Travel a medium distance
RBE:1

22
Q

Health risks of Beta radiation

A

They are moderately dangerous
Sources near the body still pose a risk

23
Q

Properties for gamma rays

A

Not easily absorbed
Travel long distances
RBE:1

24
Q

Health risks of gamma radiaiton

A

Lower danger
Longer distances of travel mean distant sources are still a risk

25
Q

Properties of neutrons

A

Absorbed moderately easily
Travel medium distances
RBE: 2-10

26
Q

Health risks of neutrons

A

Very dangerous
Pose a risk even after they have been absorbed
Atoms can be changes when bombardeó with neutrons

27
Q

Half life

A

The length of time it takes for the original isotope to decay by half

28
Q

Danger of isotopes with short half-lives

A

They release radiation quickly so are dangerous, but not for long
Short term precautions may be sufficient to protect workers & public

29
Q

Dangers of isotopes with long half-lives

A

Danger for a long time
Emit small amounts over long period, so danger might be low

30
Q

What isotopes are particularly concerning?

A

If they have half-lives of several decades
Rate of release of radiation is high
People can be exposed for most/all their lives
Short term protection ensures are inadequate

31
Q

Effects of ionising radiation on living tissue

A

When it is absorbed by living tissues, free radicals are produced which have unpaired electrons and can cause biologically damaging reactions

32
Q

Impacts of ionising radiation on living tissues other than free radicals/because of free radicals

A

Damage to cell nuclei- causes changes to DNA
Damage to other parts of the cell- organelles dont function properly
Somatic affects,gonads,chronic,acute

33
Q

What is exposure?

A

Involves the absorption of ionising radiation
A person must be close enough to a source of radiation

34
Q

Contamination

A

Refers to physically carrying radioactive materials which may cause exposure

35
Q

Principles of controlling ionising radiation

A

ALARA
BATNEEC

36
Q

Strategies to reduce exposure

A

Closed sources
Materials to absorb radiation
Protective clothing
Distance from the source
Reducing period of exposure
Decontamination
Good waste management

37
Q

How can workers be monitored for exposeure to radiation?

A

Personal dosemeters- give readings of current exposure
Photographic film badges measure long term exposure
Air monitors

38
Q

What other monitoring methods can be used for exposure to radiaiton?

A

Critical pathway analysis
Critical group monitoring
Environmental monitoring

AQA A-level Environmental Science (45 decks)

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