Which Radioactive source type would you find in a smoke alarm? Alpha, Beta or Gamma.
Alpha
Why are the radioactive isotopes used in medical imaging created in a lab very near to the hospital?
Medical isotopes have a short half life of a few hours.
Why do astronauts receive a higher dose of radiation than someone on Earth?
The atmosphere absorbs cosmic rays (ionising radiation from space)
Why will the nurse leave the room when you receive an x-ray.
Using distance to reduce their dose of radiation.
Why can Gamma rays be used to treat cancer?
Gamma rays can kill cancer cells inside the body e.g. the brain.
What is the link between evolution and background ionising radiation?
Evolution requires DNA mutations caused by ionising radiation
The aurora borealis (northern lights) is caused by ionising radiation hitting the atmosphere (True/False)
True
The Earth's magnetic field protects us from ionising radiation from space (solar winds) [True/False]
True
