Background Radiation Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is background radiation?
Background radiation is the low-level radiation that’s around us all the time
What is radiation from space known as?
Cosmic rays
Where do cosmic rays mostly come from?
The Sun
What protects us from cosmic rays?
The earths atmosphere
What is radiation dose measured in?
Sieverts (Sv)
1 Sv is equal to how many mSv?
1 Sv = 1000 mSv
What is a person’s radiation dose affected by?
Where you live and where you have a job that involves radiation. Other factors such as having x-rays taken also affect your radiation dose.
What is exposure to radiation called?
Irradiation
What does being a irradiated mean?
Being exposed to radiation
Give three sources of background radiation
Food, rocks and cosmic rays
How is radioactive contamination caused?
Radioactive contamination is caused when radioactive atoms gets into or onto an object
When does radioactive irradiation occur?
Radioactive irradiation occurs when two objects are exposed to radiation from a radioactive source
What do nuclear reactors often use?
Uranium-235
Nuclear reactors often use uranium-235. Describe how a chain reaction is set up in a nuclear reactor.
A uranium 235 nucleus absorbs a neutron, and splits into two smaller nuclei and releases 2 or 3 neutrons. Some of these neutrons can go on to start other fissions, creating a chain reaction.
In a nuclear reactor control rods are used to control the reaction what could happen if the nuclear reactor is not controlled?
There would be an explosion
How is iodine 123 commonly used as?
A tracer and medicine
Describe how iodine 123 can be used to detect whether the thyroid gland is absorbing iodine as it normally should do
Iodine 123 is absorbed by the thyroid gland just like normal iodine 127 but it is radioactive. This radiation can be detected outside the patient. The radiation produce can be monitored to see if the thyroid gland is working properly.
