P2 Topic 6: Advantages and disadvantages of using radioactive materials

?
  • Created by: nicola
  • Created on: 11-06-15 23:25
What is background radiation?
Low level of radiation are around us all the time. This radiation comes from natural sources and human activities. The background radiation varies from one part of the UK to other parts due to the concentration of radioactive rock found there.
1 of 12
What are some natural sources of background radiation?
Cosmic rays (radiation from space), food, rocks in the ground and radon gas (released from radioactive rocks in the ground).
2 of 12
What are some human sources of background radiation?
Medical sources (such as x-rays and treatments for cancer), Nuclear weapon testing and nuclear power station.
3 of 12
How do smoke alarm use radioactive? 1/2
An alpha source (a material that gives out alpha particles) is used to ionise the air between two metal plates which allow a current to flow between the two plates.
4 of 12
How do smoke alarm use radioactive? 2/2
When smoke particles from the fire enter the space it blocks the alpha particles released from the alpha from the alpha sources from ionising the air and the current flow stops. A computer senses this lack of current and set off the alarm.
5 of 12
How do Irradiation food use radioactive?
Exposing food to high dose of gamma rays kill any microbes (germs) and stops the food rooting as rotting as quickly thus increasing the shelf life of the food and help reduce waste.
6 of 12
How are the radioactive used sterilising of medical equipment? 1/2
By sealing medical equipment in plastic and exposing them to a high dose of gamma rays any microbes (germs) on equipment are killed (the plastic stop any further contamination).
7 of 12
How are the radioactive used sterilising of medical equipment? 2/2
This then help reduce the chance of infection when the equipment is used in surgery or open wounds.
8 of 12
How are radioactive used in Tracers? 1/3
Gamma sources (a material that gives out gamma rays) can be used to find leaks in underground pipes or trace how a material moves around the body.
9 of 12
How are radioactive used in Tracers? 2/3
The gamma sources in injected into the body or pipe and as it is always giving out gamma rays where the liquid in the pipe or blood in the body goes can be detected with gamma ray detector outside of the body or above the ground over the pipe.
10 of 12
How are radioactive used in Tracers? 3/3
A leak will show up where there is a big increase in the amount of gamma rays detected.
11 of 12
How do gauging thickness use radioactive?
The thickness of
12 of 12

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are some natural sources of background radiation?

Back

Cosmic rays (radiation from space), food, rocks in the ground and radon gas (released from radioactive rocks in the ground).

Card 3

Front

What are some human sources of background radiation?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How do smoke alarm use radioactive? 1/2

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

How do smoke alarm use radioactive? 2/2

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Physics resources:

See all Physics resources »See all Radioactivity resources »