4.3.2 - Radiation and Risk Flashcards
(35 cards)
Which type of radiation is most ionizing?
alpha
How do we protect against irradiation?
Wearing lead
Define contamination.
A substance is contaminated if radioactive particles are left on it / has had a radioactive nuclei on it.
How do we protect against contamination?
Wear protective clothing.
Define irradiation.
Exposing an element to radiation.
What is cancer?
Uncontrollable cell division.
What is the difference between a benign and malignant tumour?
- Benign isn’t cancerous
- Malignant is cancerous and can spread.
State two ways of treating cancer.
- Radiotherapy
- Chemotherapy
- Surgery
Name three possible risk factors for cancer.
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Bad Diet
Which type of radiation can be stopped or reduced by thick lead?
Gamma
What is a beta particle made of?
An electron
What is an alpha particle made of?
2 protons and 2 neutrons
What is an alpha particle also known as?
Helium
What is the mass and charge of a beta particle?
mass = 0
charge = -1
Describe a use for alpha radiation.
- Destroy cancer cells inside the body
- Fire Alarms
What is the mass and charge of an alpha particle?
4 = mass, 2 = charge
Why doesn’t gamma radiation have mass or charge?
It is an EM wave
Which radiation types are most dangerous outside the body?
Gamma and beta radiation
Which radiation type is most dangerous inside the body?
alpha
What happens to the mass number and atomic number during gamma decay?
both stay the same
What are nuclear equations used for?
To figure out how the mass and atomic number changed
What happens to the mass number and atomic number during alpha decay?
they decrease
What happens to the mass number and atomic number during beta decay?
- mass stays the same
- atomic increases by one
Define half-life.
The amount of years it takes for an element to half until it disappears.
