Radiation damage

Question 1

How is alpha radiation used in a smoke detector?

Answer 1

> a weak source of alpha radiation is placed between two electrodes

> causes ionisation, causing a current to flow

> if smoke is present it will absorb the radiation, stopping the current from flowing and sounding the alarm

Question 2

What are 2 uses of alpha radiation?

Answer 2

> Smoke detectors

> controlling paper thickness

Question 3

What are 3 uses of gamma radiation?

Answer 3

> killing cancer cells

> sterilising equipment

> tracers

Question 4

What type of radiation is used for tracers?

Answer 4

> short half life gamma radiation because it is the least ionising

> for non-medical tracers it is useful as it is very penetrating

Question 5

What is a use of beta particles?

Answer 5

Controlling aluminium foil thickness

Question 6

How dangerous are alpha particles outside the body?

Answer 6

> not dangerous at all, despite the fact that they are the most ionising, they cannot penetrate the skin.