Doses and Biological Effects

• Introduction
• Four Basic Radiation Types
  • Introduction
  • Alpha
  • Beta
  • Beta +
  • Gamma
  • Quiz
• Classification of Biological Effects
  • Introduction
  • Source of Data
  • Basic Radiobiology
  • Deterministic Effects
  • Stochastic effects
  • Quiz 1
  • Hereditary defects
  • Factors affecting damage to cells
  • Types of cell damage
  • Quiz 2
• Concepts of Risk
  • Introduction
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Loss of Life Expectancy
  • Risks relative to other occupations
  • Quiz 1
  • Sources of Exposure
  • Data on occupational exposure
  • Total Radiation Dose to the UK Population
  • Quiz 2
• Annual Limits on Intake (ALI)
  • Introduction
  • ALI factors
  • ALI Models
  • Quiz
• Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD)
  • Introduction
  • Steps in the MIRD Calculation
  • Further Information
  • Quiz
• Key Points

Four Basic Radiation Types

Alpha

• Alpha 1
• Alpha 2

Alpha particles are large particulate entities. The are comprised of two neutrons and two protons.

They are effectively doubly ionised Helium atoms although they originate from the nucleus of the unstable atom.

 

Click on the Alpha 2 tab above to continue.

Due to there size Alpha particles are unable to pass through a sheet of ordinary thickness paper and hence are easy to shield outside of the body.

 

Play the animation on the right to see a demonstration.

 

Click the Next arrow below to continue.

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