3) There has been a radiation leak at a nuclear power plant, perform calculations involving
radiation dose. Include word equations and show all the steps in your working out.
a) Why is 1 may of alpha radiation considered to be more damaging to tissue than 1 mGy of
beta radiation? What about 1 mSv of alpha radiation compared to 1 mSv of beta radiation?
b) A worker has been exposed to 1 my each of alpha, beta and gamma radiation from a
source outside their body. What is the total equivalent dose to their whole body? (Do not
include any dose that is delivered to skin alone.)
c) Calculate the total equivalent dose to tissue from separate doses of 3 may of gamma
radiation, 0,6 mgy of slow neutrons, and 1 mGy of beta radiation.
d) Frankie weighs 112 kg and Simran weighs 56 kg. Both are exposed to 5 mGy of gamma
radiation. Do they receive the same equivalent dose?
e) 4.2 joules of energy are needed to heat 1 g of water by 1 ºC. If you receive an acute
absorbed dose of 4.2 Gy, what kind of a temperature increase would you expect for the
tissues in your body?
f) Gamma radiation has deposited 10 joules of energy in a 100-kg person. They have received a
radiation dose of: a) 10 Gy b) 1 Gy, c) 0.1 Gy, d) none of the above.