SI unit for rate of radioactive decay; 1 Bq = 1 disintegration/s

larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s

instrument that detects and measures radiation via the ionization produced in a Geiger-Müller tube

SI unit for measuring radiation dose; 1 Gy = 1 J absorbed/kg tissue

radiation that can cause a molecule to lose an electron and form an ion

larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s

nonionizing radiation

radiation that speeds up the movement of atoms and molecules; it is equivalent to heating a sample, but is not energetic enough to cause the ionization of molecules

radiation absorbed dose (rad)

SI unit for measuring radiation dose, frequently used in medical applications; 1 rad = 0.01 Gy

device that measures ionizing radiation and is used to determine personal radiation exposure

relative biological effectiveness (RBE)

measure of the relative damage done by radiation

roentgen equivalent man (rem)

unit for radiation damage, frequently used in medicine; 100 rem = 1 Sv

scintillation counter

instrument that uses a scintillator—a material that emits light when excited by ionizing radiation—to detect and measure radiation

SI unit measuring tissue damage caused by radiation; takes into account energy and biological effects of radiation

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Chemistry 2e · 21.6 Biological Effects of Radiation

Biological Effects of Radiation: practice problems

2 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 59
Based on what is known about Radon-222’s primary decay method, why is inhalation so dangerous?
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Exercises 61
A scientist is studying a 2.234 g sample of thorium-229 (t1/2 = 7340 y) in a laboratory.
(a) What is its activity in Bq?
(b) What is its activity in Ci?
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Key terms · 13

becquerel (Bq): SI unit for rate of radioactive decay; 1 Bq = 1 disintegration/s
curie (Ci): larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s
Geiger counter: instrument that detects and measures radiation via the ionization produced in a Geiger-Müller tube
gray (Gy): SI unit for measuring radiation dose; 1 Gy = 1 J absorbed/kg tissue
ionizing radiation: radiation that can cause a molecule to lose an electron and form an ion
millicurie (mCi): larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s
nonionizing radiation: radiation that speeds up the movement of atoms and molecules; it is equivalent to heating a sample, but is not energetic enough to cause the ionization of molecules
radiation absorbed dose (rad): SI unit for measuring radiation dose, frequently used in medical applications; 1 rad = 0.01 Gy
radiation dosimeter: device that measures ionizing radiation and is used to determine personal radiation exposure
relative biological effectiveness (RBE): measure of the relative damage done by radiation
roentgen equivalent man (rem): unit for radiation damage, frequently used in medicine; 100 rem = 1 Sv
scintillation counter: instrument that uses a scintillator—a material that emits light when excited by ionizing radiation—to detect and measure radiation
sievert (Sv): SI unit measuring tissue damage caused by radiation; takes into account energy and biological effects of radiation

Learn 21.6 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 21.6 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org

Biological Effects of Radiation: practice problems

2 problems from the book, with its answers. Check your working, or have any of them explained to you on the whiteboard.

Exercises 59

Based on what is known about Radon-222’s primary decay method, why is inhalation so dangerous?

Exercises 61

A scientist is studying a 2.234 g sample of thorium-229 (t1/2 = 7340 y) in a laboratory.

(a) What is its activity in Bq?

(b) What is its activity in Ci?

Key terms · 13

becquerel (Bq): SI unit for rate of radioactive decay; 1 Bq = 1 disintegration/s
curie (Ci): larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s
Geiger counter: instrument that detects and measures radiation via the ionization produced in a Geiger-Müller tube
gray (Gy): SI unit for measuring radiation dose; 1 Gy = 1 J absorbed/kg tissue
ionizing radiation: radiation that can cause a molecule to lose an electron and form an ion
millicurie (mCi): larger unit for rate of radioactive decay frequently used in medicine; 1 Ci = 3.7 $\times$ 10^10 disintegrations/s
nonionizing radiation: radiation that speeds up the movement of atoms and molecules; it is equivalent to heating a sample, but is not energetic enough to cause the ionization of molecules
radiation absorbed dose (rad): SI unit for measuring radiation dose, frequently used in medical applications; 1 rad = 0.01 Gy
radiation dosimeter: device that measures ionizing radiation and is used to determine personal radiation exposure
relative biological effectiveness (RBE): measure of the relative damage done by radiation
roentgen equivalent man (rem): unit for radiation damage, frequently used in medicine; 100 rem = 1 Sv
scintillation counter: instrument that uses a scintillator—a material that emits light when excited by ionizing radiation—to detect and measure radiation
sievert (Sv): SI unit measuring tissue damage caused by radiation; takes into account energy and biological effects of radiation

Learn 21.6 on the whiteboard

The tutor teaches the whole section, drawing it out step by step and answering your questions as you go.

Read 21.6 in the textbook · This section on openstax.org