Uses of radiation (Edexcel GCSE Physics Combined Science): Flashcards
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Radiation type used to treat cancer
Radiation type used to treat cancer
Gamma rays
Radiation types used as medical tracers
Radiation types used as medical tracers
Beta or gamma radiation
Why is gamma preferred for medical tracers?
Why is gamma preferred for medical tracers?
Passes through body without much damage, short half-lives
What gamma rays kill when sterilising
What gamma rays kill when sterilising
Bacteria and microbes
Advantage of gamma sterilisation method
Advantage of gamma sterilisation method
Doesn't use heat, so items not damaged
Half-life needed for sterilisation source
Half-life needed for sterilisation source
Long enough so doesn't need replacing often
Radiation type used for thickness gauging
Radiation type used for thickness gauging
Beta radiation
What happens if material too thick in thickness gauging
What happens if material too thick in thickness gauging
Less radiation passes through
Why beta used for thickness (not alpha or gamma)
Why beta used for thickness (not alpha or gamma)
Alpha fully blocked, gamma passes straight through
Radiation type for detecting leaks in underground pipes
Radiation type for detecting leaks in underground pipes
Gamma radiation
Radiation type used in smoke alarms
Radiation type used in smoke alarms
Alpha radiation
How smoke triggers alarm in smoke detector
How smoke triggers alarm in smoke detector
Smoke absorbs alpha particles, stopping current
Half-life definition
Half-life definition
Time for half of radioactive atoms to decay
Which becomes safer faster: short or long half-life?
Which becomes safer faster: short or long half-life?
Short half-life becomes safer faster