Radiation
Energy transmitted by particles.
Radiation
Short wavelengths can pass through the body but reflect off bone.
x-ray
Shielding
Conversion of one element or isotope into another through changes in the atomic nucleus.
Transmutation
The time required to reduce an element to half its initial value
half-life
High-energy electromagnetic waves that remove electrons from atoms and molecules
Ionizing radiation
positively charged particle made from two protons and two neutrons, emitted during decay from heavy radioactive materials.
alpha particle
shielding material that protects against x-rays and gamma rays
lead
non radioactive form of an isotope
Stable isotope
a method of determining the age of materials by measuring radioactive isotopes
radiodating
Low-energy electromagnetic waves that do not remove electrons from atoms, but may cause heating
non-ionizing radiation
High-speed electron emitted from an unstable atomic nucleus.
beta particle
Time, distance, shieling
Three major ways to protect oneself from radiation
Predictive series of radioactive transformations as an unstable nucleus goes through until a stable isotope is reached
decay chain
A medical imaging technique that uses small amounts of radioactive material to diagnose and assess conditions such as cancer
Radionuclide scanning
x-rays, gamma rays, alpha particles, beta particles, neutrons. Can cause DNA damage
Ionizing radiation sources
Shortest wavelength, highest energy
gamma ray
These particles are easily stopped by a thin sheet, or air.
Alpha particles
alpha decay
The number of half lives when roughly 97% of the original material is gone, and it is considered gone.
4-5 half lives
radio waves, Microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet,
nonionizing sources
A type of ionizing radiation associated with nuclear fission, and fusion.
Neutron
These rays require high atomic, thick material
x-ray, gamma ray
unstable atomic nuclei that are in an excited energy state undergo this type of decay
Gamma decay
X-ray fluorescence (XRF)