Nuclear physics

What is the inverse square law in the context of gamma radiation?

The intensity I of the radiation decreases as the square of the distance from the point source increases.

How is radiation intensity I defined?

Radiation intensity I is the radiation energy per second passing normally through unit area.

What is the formula for the intensity I of the radiation at distance r from a point source?

I = (nhf) / (4πr²), where nhf is the radiation energy per second emitted by the source.

What is the surface area of a sphere of radius r?

The surface area of a sphere is given by the formula 4πr².

What systematic error is mentioned in relation to measuring gamma radiation?

The unknown distance d0, referring to the position of the source within its holder.

What does the corrected count rate (C - C0) represent?

The corrected count rate should be proportional to the intensity of the radiation.

What equation represents the relationship between count rate and distance for radiation detection?

C - C0 is proportional to (1/d²), where d is the distance from the source.

What is the equation that summarizes alpha emission for uranium-238?

238U → 234Th + α.

What two isotopes are involved in the decay sequence starting from 23Bi?

The sequence starts with 23Bi and decays into polonium (Po) and lead (Pb) isotopes.

What constant k is used in the formula for the intensity of gamma radiation?

k = nhf, where n is the number of photons emitted per second and hf is the energy of each photon.

What is the significance of taking the background count (C0) in radioactivity experiments?

It accounts for the random nature of radioactive decay to obtain accurate measurements.

What type of radiation is most penetrating and can pass through human tissue?

Gamma radiation is the most penetrating form of radiation.

What instrument is commonly used to detect gamma radiation?

A Geiger-Müller tube is commonly used to detect gamma radiation.

What happens to the count rate as the distance from the radiation source increases?

The count rate decreases as the distance from the radiation source increases.

What are the common health risks associated with prolonged exposure to gamma radiation?

Prolonged exposure to gamma radiation can increase the risk of cancer.

What is a common unit used to measure radiation dose?

The sievert (Sv) is a common unit used to measure radiation dose.

What is gamma radiation?

Gamma radiation is a high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by radioactive decay.

What role does gamma radiation play in nuclear medicine?

Gamma radiation is used in nuclear medicine for imaging and treatment purposes.

What forms can radiation come in?

Radiation can come in three forms: alpha, beta, and gamma.

How does gamma radiation differ from alpha and beta radiation?

Gamma radiation has no mass and no charge, making it more penetrating than alpha and beta radiation.

What is a half-life in the context of radioactive decay?

A half-life is the time required for half of the radioactive atoms in a sample to decay.

What can be done to protect against gamma radiation exposure?

To protect against gamma radiation, one can increase distance, limit exposure time, and use shielding materials.

What device measures the intensity of radiation?

A dosimeter is a device that measures the amount of radiation exposure.

How do radiation therapies target cancer?

Radiation therapies target cancer by delivering high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells.

What are the biological effects of high doses of gamma radiation?

High doses can cause radiation sickness and damage to living tissues.