Page 21 - KFSHRC-RSO-Course
P. 21
iation Safety Officer Course Module 1.3 – Radiation Sources
OVERVIEW
As you study this module you will learn about the different kinds of ionizing
radiation, how and why atoms undergo radioactive decay, and where radiation
comes from. A knowledge of how radioactive decay occurs and the properties
of the radiation emitted is essential for you to understand the radiation sources
you may encounter in your workplace and the risks associated with them. The
information in this module will provide you with the tools you will need for later
learning modules and also in your day to day health physics tasks.
There are practical activities associated with this module. You will find the
information in your workbook. If the equipment is available, you should
arrange a suitable time for doing practical work with your supervisor. If suitable
equipment is not available, you may have to wait until a workshop is held.
Although you may already be familiar with some of the information in this
module, it is important that you complete the self-check questions at the end
of each section successfully before continuing.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When you have completed this module you will be able to do the following:
1) Define the terms ionizing radiation and radioactive decay.
2) List the types of ionizing radiation and their properties.
3) Describe the different modes of decay in terms of changes to the
radionuclide and the types of radiation emitted.
4) Use the chart of nuclides to predict the outcomes of radioactive decay.
5) Define the terms decay constant, activity, becquerel and half-life.
6) Relate the becquerel to the curie and convert from one to the other.
7) Calculate the amount of activity of a nuclide remaining after a specific
period.
8) Calculate the half-life of a nuclide from a set of counting data taken over
a given period.
9) Explain the term specific activity and its relevance to radiation hazards.
10) Define the terms parent and progeny and use the chart of nuclides to
describe decay chains.
11) Explain the term secular equilibrium and its importance to radiation
protection.
12) Describe the sources of both natural and artificial radionuclides.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Biomedical Physics Department Page 1
OVERVIEW
As you study this module you will learn about the different kinds of ionizing
radiation, how and why atoms undergo radioactive decay, and where radiation
comes from. A knowledge of how radioactive decay occurs and the properties
of the radiation emitted is essential for you to understand the radiation sources
you may encounter in your workplace and the risks associated with them. The
information in this module will provide you with the tools you will need for later
learning modules and also in your day to day health physics tasks.
There are practical activities associated with this module. You will find the
information in your workbook. If the equipment is available, you should
arrange a suitable time for doing practical work with your supervisor. If suitable
equipment is not available, you may have to wait until a workshop is held.
Although you may already be familiar with some of the information in this
module, it is important that you complete the self-check questions at the end
of each section successfully before continuing.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
When you have completed this module you will be able to do the following:
1) Define the terms ionizing radiation and radioactive decay.
2) List the types of ionizing radiation and their properties.
3) Describe the different modes of decay in terms of changes to the
radionuclide and the types of radiation emitted.
4) Use the chart of nuclides to predict the outcomes of radioactive decay.
5) Define the terms decay constant, activity, becquerel and half-life.
6) Relate the becquerel to the curie and convert from one to the other.
7) Calculate the amount of activity of a nuclide remaining after a specific
period.
8) Calculate the half-life of a nuclide from a set of counting data taken over
a given period.
9) Explain the term specific activity and its relevance to radiation hazards.
10) Define the terms parent and progeny and use the chart of nuclides to
describe decay chains.
11) Explain the term secular equilibrium and its importance to radiation
protection.
12) Describe the sources of both natural and artificial radionuclides.
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Biomedical Physics Department Page 1
