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Background Radiation and Radon Gas

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Objectives

• Know that background radiation is present all around us, and that it comes from a variety of sources.

• Be able to state a range of sources of background radiation.

• Be able to state some factors which can affect the levels of background radiation you are exposed to.

 

 

 

Task 1

Remind the person next to you:

• What are the three types of nuclear radiation?

• What is required to stop each type of radiation?

• Which two types of radiation are particles?

• Which type of radiation is an EM wave?

• Which type of radiation is most ionising?

 

 

 

Task 2

Background radiation can be detected all around us.  It comes from a range of natural sources, and a small amount comes from man-made activities.  Look at the graph below:

 

Your teacher will give you a copy of the graph.  Stick the graph in your exercise book and copy and complete the text below.

 

______________ radiation is all around us.  Most of it comes from natural sources, including ________ , _________ and __________ rays.  Our biggest dose of background radiation is from naturally occuring _________  _____.  Only a _________ proportion of background ___________ is caused by man-made sources.  ____________ uses contribute most of this, but ___________ weapons testing and nuclear ___________ stations also contribute a small amount.

 

 

 

 

 

Task 3

The level of Radon gas you are exposed to varies by location.  Look at the map of Radon levels in the UK.

Teacher note: student copy of the map is available as a word document.

1. How do Radon levels in Devon compare to the rest of the UK?

2. Name an area in Wales where radon levels are high.

3. Copy the text below, and fill in the missing words from the list at the bottom.  You may need to use some words once, more than once, or not at all.

 

"The amounts of _________ gas we are exposed to varies, depending on location.  Radon gas emits _________ radiation, which is the ________ ionising form of radiation.  The gas can be  ______________ and cause damage to ________ in the lungs, increasing the risk of lung __________."

 

alpha          cancer          inhaled         most             least          cells          Radon

 

 

 

 

Task 4

A

 

 

Homework/Extension

A