irradiation and contamination

Irradiation

The process of exposing objects to beams of radiation without causing them to become radioactive.

Contamination

Occurs when a radioactive material is introduced into or onto an object, making it radioactive.

What is irradiation?

Irradiation is the exposure of objects to radiation from an external source.

What happens to an object during contamination?

An object becomes radioactive if radioactive material is introduced into or onto it.

What is a common use of irradiation in food preservation?

Irradiation can be used to preserve fruit by exposing it to Cobalt 60, which kills bacteria.

How does irradiation differ from contamination in terms of radioactivity?

Irradiation does not cause the object to become radioactive, whereas contamination does.

What is a benefit of contamination in medical procedures?

Contamination can be used for diagnostic purposes, such as using a radioactive barium meal to visualize soft tissues.

What effect does Cobalt 60 have on fruit during irradiation?

Cobalt 60 emits gamma rays that destroy bacteria on the fruit without significantly altering it.

How can irradiation be safely managed?

Irradiation can be blocked with suitable shielding or by moving away from the radiation source.

What challenge is associated with contaminated objects?

Once an object is contaminated, it can be difficult to remove all of the radioactive material.