Notes - Radiation Related Terms

8/2/2019 Notes - Radiation Related Terms

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Radiation Related Terms

Basic Terms

Radiation

Radiation is energy in transit in the form of high speed particlesand electromagnetic waves. We encounter electromagnetic

waves every day. They make up our visible light, radio and

television waves, ultra violet (UV), and microwaves and are part of

a large spectrum of energies. These examples of electromagnetic

waves do not cause ionizations of atoms they interact with

because they do not carry enough energy to remove electrons

from atoms. Radiation can be ionizing or non-ionizing.

Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy so that during

an interaction with an atom, it can remove tightly bound electrons

from their orbits, causing the atom to become charged or ionized.

Examples are gamma rays and neutrons.

Non-ionizing radiationNon-ionizing radiation is radiation without enough energy to

remove tightly bound electrons from their orbits around atoms.Examples are microwaves and visible light.

Health PhysicsHealth Physics is an interdisciplinary science and its application,

for the radiation protection of humans and the environment.

Health Physics combines the elements of physics, biology,

chemistry, statistics and electronic instrumentation to provide

information that can be used to protect individuals from the

effects of radiation. For more on Health Physics, visit the career

section of the Health Physics Society or the EPA career website.

RadioactivityRadioactivity is the spontaneous transformation of an unstable

atom and often results in the emission of radiation. This processis referred to as a transformation, a decay or a disintegrations

of an atom.

Radioactive MaterialRadioactive Material is any material that contains radioactiveatoms.

Radioactive ContaminationRadioactive contamination is radioactive material distributed over

some area, equipment or person. It tends to be unwanted in the

location where it is, and has to be cleaned up or decontaminated.

Background radiationIonizing radiation from natural sources, such as terrestrial

radiation due toradionuclides in the soil or cosmic

radiation originating in outer space.

Radioactive half-lifeThe time required for a quantity of a radioisotope to decay by

half.

For example, because the half-life of iodine-131 (I-131) is 8 days,

a sample of I-131 that has 10 mCi of activity on January 1, will

have 5 mCi of activity 8 days later, on January 9.
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.htmlhttp://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.htmlhttp://hps.org/publicinformation/hpcareers.htmlhttp://hps.org/publicinformation/hpcareers.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/basic/careers.htmlhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#ionizingradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#terrestrialradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#terrestrialradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#radionuclidehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#cosmicradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#cosmicradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#radioisotopehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#curiehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#curiehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#radioisotopehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#cosmicradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#cosmicradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#radionuclidehttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#terrestrialradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#terrestrialradiationhttp://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#ionizingradiationhttp://www.epa.gov/radiation/basic/careers.htmlhttp://hps.org/publicinformation/hpcareers.htmlhttp://hps.org/publicinformation/hpcareers.htmlhttp://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.htmlhttp://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/science/know_l1/emspectrum.html


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Decay, radioactiveDisintegration of the nucleus of an unstable atom by the release

of radiation.

Half-life (See radioactive half-life)The time any substance takes to decay by half of its original

amount.

Detector (See Geiger counter)A device that is sensitive to radiation and can produce a response

signal suitable for measurement or analysis. A radiation detection

instrument.

DeuteriumA non-radioactive isotope of the hydrogen atom that contains

a neutron in its nucleus in addition to the one proton normally seen

in hydrogen. A deuterium atom is twice as heavy as normal

hydrogen.

Dose (radiation)Radiation absorbed by a persons body. Several different termsdescribe radiation dose.

Fission (fissioning)The splitting of a nucleus into at least two other nuclei that

releases a large amount of energy. Two or three neutrons are

usually released during this transformation.

FusionA reaction in which two lighter nuclei unite to form a heavier one,

releasing energy in the process. Reactions of this type are

responsible for the release of energy in stars or in thermonuclear

devices.

Geiger counter (HW)A radiation detection and measuring instrument consisting of a

gas-filled tube containing electrodes, between which an electrical

voltage but no current flows. When ionizing radiation passes

through the tube, a short, intense pulse of current passes from

the negative electrode to the positive electrode and is measured

or counted. The number of pulses per second measures the

intensity of the radiation field. Geiger counters are the most

commonly used portable radiation detection instruments.

IodineA non-metallic solid element. There are both radioactive and non-

radioactive isotopes of iodine. Radioactive isotopes of iodine are

widely used in medical applications. Radioactive iodine isafission product and is the largest contributor to

peoples radiation dose after an accident at a nuclear reactor.

IonAn atom that has fewer or more electrons than it has protons,

causing it to have an electrical charge and, therefore, be

chemically reactive.
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IonizationThe process of adding one or more electrons to, or removing one

or more electrons from, atoms or molecules, thereby

creating ions. High temperatures, electrical discharges, or

nuclear radiation can cause ionization.

Ionizing radiationAny radiation capable of displacing electrons from atoms, thereby

producing ions. High doses of ionizing radiation may produce

severe skin or tissue damage.

IsotopeA nuclide of an element having the same number of protons but a

different number ofneutrons.

Iridium-192A gamma-ray emitting radioisotope used for gamma radiography.

The half-life is 73-83 days.

MoleculeA combination of two or more atoms that are chemically bonded. A

molecule is the smallest unit of a compound that can exist by

itself and retain all of its chemical properties.

Nuclear energyThe heat energy produced by the process of nuclear fission within

a nuclear reactor or by radioactive decay.

Nuclear reactor (HW)A device in which a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain

reaction can be maintained with the use of cooling to remove

generated heat.

Nuclear tracers (Illustrate)Radioisotopes that give doctors the ability to "look" inside the

body and observe soft tissues and organs, in a manner similar to

the way x-rays provide images of bones. A radioactive tracer is

chemically attached to a compound that will concentrate naturally

in an organ or tissue so that an image can be taken.

NucleusThe central part of an atom that contains protons and neutrons.

The nucleus is the heaviest part of the atom.

NuclideA general term applicable to all atomic forms of an element.

Nuclides are characterized by the numberof protons and neutrons in the nucleus, as well as by the amount of

energy contained within the atom.

Penetrating radiationRadiation that can penetrate the skin and reach internal organs

and tissues.
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Photon (form 6 above)A discrete "packet" of pure electromagnetic energy. Photons have

no mass and travel at the speed of light. The term "photon" was

developed to describe energy when it acts like a particle (causing

interactions at the molecular or atomic level), rather than a

wave. Gamma rays and x-raysare photons.

Plutonium (Pu)A heavy, man-made, radioactive metallic element. The most

important isotope is Pu-239, which has a half-life of 24,000 years.

Pu-239 can be used in reactor fuel and is the primary isotope in

weapons. One kilogram is equivalent to about 22 million kilowatt-

hours of heat energy. The complete detonation of a kilogram of

plutonium produces an explosion equal to about 20,000 tons of

chemical explosive. All isotopes of plutonium are readily absorbed

by the bones and can be lethal, depending on the dose and

exposure time.

Polonium (Po)A radioactive chemical element and a product of radium (Ra)

decay. Polonium is found in uranium (U) ores.

RadiationEnergy moving in the form of particles or waves. Familiarradiations are heat, light, radio waves, and microwaves. Ionizing

radiation is a very high-energy form of electromagnetic radiation.

Radioactive decay (see half life)The spontaneous disintegration of the nucleus of an atom.

Radioactive materialMaterial that contains unstable (radioactive) atoms that give

off radiation as they decay.

Radioactive wasteDisposable, radioactive materials resulting from nuclear

operations. Wastes are generally classified into two categories,

high-level and low-level waste.

Radioisotope (radioactive isotope) see isotopeIsotopes of an element that have an unstable nucleus. Radioactive

isotopes are commonly used in science, industry, and medicine. The

nucleus eventually reaches a stable number

of protons and neutrons through one or more radioactive decays.

Approximately 3,700 natural and artificial radioisotopes have

been identified.

RadionuclideAn unstable and therefore radioactive form of a nuclide.

Radium (Ra)A naturally occurring radioactive metal. Radium is

a radionuclide formed by the decay ofuranium (U)

and thorium (Th) in the environment. It occurs at low levels in

virtually all rock, soil, water, plants, and animals. Radon (Rn) is a

decay product of radium.
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Radon (Rn)A naturally occurring radioactive gas found in soil, rock, and

water throughout the United States. Radon causes lung cancer

and is a threat to health because it tends to collect in homes,

sometimes to very high concentrations. As a result, radon isthe largest source of exposure to people from naturally

occurring radiation.

ShieldingThe material between a radiation source and a potentially exposed

person that reduces exposure.

Stable nucleus

The nucleus of an atom in which the forces among its particles are

balanced. See alsounstable nucleus.

Terrestrial radiation (see background radiation)Radiation emitted by naturally occurring radioactive materials,

such as uranium(U), thorium (Th), and radon (Rn) in the earth.

Thorium (Th)A naturally occurring radioactive metal found in small amounts in

soil, rock, water, plants, and animals. The most common isotopes of

thorium are thorium-232 (Th-232), thorium-230 (Th-230), and

thorium-238 (Th-238).

Unstable nucleus (see stable nucleus, radioactivenuclide)

A nucleus that contains an uneven number

of protons and neutrons and seeks to reach equilibrium between

them through radioactive decay (i.e., the nucleus of a radioactive

atom).

Uranium (U)A naturally occurring radioactive element whose

principal isotopes are uranium-238 (U-238) and uranium-235 (U-

235). Natural uranium is a hard, silvery-white, shiny metallic ore

that contains a minute amount of uranium-234 (U-234).

X-rayElectromagnetic radiation caused by deflection of electrons from

their original paths, or inner orbital electrons that change their

orbital levels around the atomic nucleus. X-rays, like gamma rays

can travel long distances through air and most other materials.

Like gamma rays, x-rays require more shielding to reduce their

intensity than do beta or alpha particles. X-rays and gamma rays

differ primarily in their origin: x-rays originate in the electronic

shell; gamma rays originate in the nucleus.

Common Types of Radiation

Gamma RaysGamma rays are electromagnetic waves or photons emitted from

the nucleus (center) of an atom.
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BetasA beta is a high speed particle, identical to an electron. That is

emitted from the nucleus of an atom

AlphasAn alpha is a particle emitted from the nucleus of an atom, That

contains two protons and two neutrons. It is identical to the

nucleus of a Helium atom, without the electrons.

NeutronsNeutrons are neutral particles that are normally contained in the

nucleus of all atoms and may be removed by various interactions

or processes like collision and fission

X raysX Rays are electromagnetic waves or photons not emitted from

the nucleus, but normally emitted by energy changes in electrons.

These energy changes are either in electron orbital shells that

surround an atom or in the process of slowing down such as in an

X-ray machine.

Common Units - USA

These are the common units used in the United States in health

physics.

Roentgen (R)

The roentgen is a unit used to measure a quantity called exposure.

This can only be used to describe an amount of gamma and X-rays,

and only in air.

Rad (radiation absorbed dose)The rad is a unit used to measure a quantity called absorbed dose.

This relates to the amount of energy actually absorbed in some

material, and is used for any type of radiation and any material.

Rem (roentgen equivalent man)

The rem is a unit used to derive a quantity called equivalent dose.

This relates the absorbed dose in human tissue to the effective

biological damage of the radiation. Not all radiation has the same

biological effect, even for the same amount of absorbed dose.

Curie (Ci)The curie is a unit used to measure a radioactivity. One curie is

that quantity of a radioactive material that will have37,000,000,000 transformations in one second. The relationship

between becquerels and curies is: 3.7 x 1010 Bq in one curie.

Common Units - SI - International Standard

Note: These are the common units used throughout the world

in health physics.

Gray (Gy) see radThe gray is a unit used to measure a quantity called absorbed

dose. This relates to the amount of energy actually absorbed in

some material, and is used for any type of radiation and any

material. One gray is equal to one joule of energy deposited in one

kg of a material. The unit gray can be used for any type of

radiation, but it does not describe the biological effects of the

different radiations.


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Sievert (Sv) see RemThe sievert is a unit used to derive a quantity called equivalent

dose. This relates the absorbed dose in human tissue to the

effective biological damage of the radiation. Not all radiation has

the same biological effect, even for the same amount of absorbed

dose.

Becquerel (Bq) see CurieThe Becquerel is a unit used to measure a radioactivity. One

Becquerel is that quantity of a radioactive material that will have

1 transformations in one second. As a result of having one

Becquerel being equal to one transformation per second, there are

3.7 x 1010 Bq in one curie.

Terms Related to Radiation Dose (Extra Info)

Chronic doseA Chronic dose means a person received a radiation dose over a

long period of time.

Acute doseAn acute dose means a person received a radiation dose over a

short period of time.

Somatic effectsSomatic effects are effects from some agent, like radiation that

are seen in the individual who receives the agent.

Genetic effects

Genetic effects are effects from some agent that are seen in the

offspring of the individual who received the agent. The agent

must be encountered pre-conception.

Teratogenic effects

Teratogenic effects are effects from some agent that are seen inthe offspring of the individual who received the agent. The agent

must be encountered during the gestation period.

Stochastic effectsStochastic effects are effects that occur on a random basis withits effect being independent of the size of dose. The effect

typically has no threshold and is based on probabilities, with the

chances of seeing the effect increasing with dose. Cancer is a

stochastic effect.

Non-stochastic effectNon-stochastic effects are effects that can be related directly

to the dose received. The effect is more severe with a higher

dose, i.e., the burn gets worse as dose increases. It typically has a

threshold, below which the effect will not occur. A skin burn from

radiation is a non-stochastic effect.

Resources

http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/terms.htm#top (IDAHO STAT

E UNIVERSITY)

http://www.remm.nlm.gov/dictionary.htm#radioactivehalflife (US

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

RADIATION EMERGENCY MEDICAL MANAGEMENT)
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Notes - Radiation Related Terms