Radioactive Materials

Radioactive Materials

Elements that emit radiation all the time are called radioactive

Radioactive elements that are found in the world around us emit background radiation

Background radiation comes from rocks, food, outer space etc

Radioactive Materials

If you are contaminated then you are carrying a source of radiation on your person

Irradiation means to fire radioactive particles at food, medical instruments to sterilize them.

There are three types of radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma

Radioactive Materials

Ionising radiation damages living cells When ionising radiation strikes living

cells these may be killed or may become cancerous

Ionized molecules react more quickly

Radioactive Materials

alpha radiation is most likely to cause damage

gamma radiation is least likely to cause damage

Alpha stopped by paper Beta stopped by Aluminium Gamma stopped by lead

Radioactive Materials

ionising radiation can be used to:treat cancer

sterilise surgical instruments sterilise food You need to explain why?

Radioactive Materials

recall that radiation dose in measured in sieverts is a measure of the damage done to your body

Apply the ALARA principle to radiation Apply the precautionary principle to

radiation Suggest ways to reduce risk

Radioactive Materials

Explain the difference between perceived risk and actual risk

Account for the difference between perceived risk and actual risk

The rate of radioactive decay cannot be changed

The nucleus of the atom is unstable ( has too much energy ) so gives out particles

Radioactive Materials

Half life what does it mean? Calculate the activity after a number of

half lives The activity of a radioactive source get

less with age,

Radioactive Materials

Power stations Fuel Uranium, process fission Chain reaction controlled by Control

Rods Radioactive waste Lots of energy from a small amount of

Uranium Learn how a nuclear bomb works

Radioactive Materials

Why produce electricity Easy to transport around Can be used in many different ways It is a secondary source of energu Renewable sources of energy

geothermal wind power etc Fossil fuel power stations produce CO2

Radioactive Materials

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of power stations

Can things be made totally safe?