uses of gamma radiation

What are the three main uses of gamma?

• Irradiate/ kill bacteria on fruit so they last longer.

• Sterilise medical equipment.

• Find leaks in pipes.

What are gamma rays

Weakly ionising transverse electromagnetic waves

By using gamma to kill bacteria on food…

They wont decompose as quickly

Pros of using gamma to kill bacteria on food

1. Food can be stored for lon ml

1. Therefore less food wasted.

2. Does not make food more radioactive.

How do you actually sterilise medical equipment with gamma?

• seal in a bag and fire gamma at it to destroy pathogens on equipment.

Unlike heat, gamma will not _____ equiptmentt.

Damage

If there is a leak in a pipe, we can use…

Gamma to locate it

Steps in detecting leak using gamma

1. GAMMA EMITTING TRACER adds gamma source to water.

2. Radioactive gamma isotopes spread amongst water in pipe.

3. If there is a leak, gamma radiation will collect in the surrounding soil.(Increased)

4. This will be detected on the Geiger-Muller Tube

steps in detecting leak:

1. GAMMA ______ TRACER adds gamma source to _____.

2. Radioactive gamma ______ spread _____ water in pipe.

3. If there __ a leak, gamma _______ will collect in the surrounding ____.(Increased)

4. This will be detected on the _____-_____ Tube

Emitting, water, isotopes, amongst, is, radiation, soil, Geiger, Muller

What do we use to measure the radioactivity?

Geiger-Muller Tube + counter

why do we use gamma and not alpha or beta?

Only gamma radiation can penetrate the pipes and ground

A gamma emitting radioactive tracer has a short or long half life?

Short

If there is a leak…

Water will collect in the surrounding soil, increased radioactivity will be detected at this point by the GM tube.