background radiation + dosages + more xoxo

what are natural sources of background radiation?

• air (radon gas)

• ground (rocks and soil)

• food and drink

• cosmic space rays

what are manmade sources of background radiation?

• medical uses in hospitals

• fallout from nuclear weapon testing

• nuclear accidents

what is radiation dose measured in?

Sv (sieverts) - 1000mSv = 1Sv

nuclei with short half-lives…

• have high activity (

  • give out radiation quickly

  • dangerous and very radioactive for a short period of time

nuclei with long half-lives…

have low activity (they are less dangerous and emit radiation for a longer period of time)