Unit 3: Ionising Radiation Pollution - Types and Half-Lives
- Created by: rosieevie
- Created on: 09-04-15 21:07
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- Ionising Radiation
- Definition - energy or particles emitted from a source that when absorbed produce changed atoms or molecules
- Radioactive Decay and Half-Lives (time taken for half of atoms to decay)
- Short half-lives - release radiation quickly (dangerous) but pose no long-term dangers
- Long half-lives - long-term danger but radiation levels are low
- Most dangerous - half-lives of several decades as people exposed all their life
- Types of Ionising Radiation
- Alpha
- Easily absorbed, travel short distances
- Safe outside body - absorbed by clothing
- Ingested emitters dangerous due to concentrated damage
- Beta
- Moderately absorbed, travels medium distance
- Sources short distances away from body pose a risk
- Gamma and X-Rays
- Not easily absorbed, travel long distances
- Lower danger but risk due to long distance travel
- Neutrons
- Moderately easily absorbed, travels medium distances
- Very dangerous - pose risk after absorption
- Alpha
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