Background Radiation Flashcards Preview

GCSE Physics > Background Radiation > Flashcards

Flashcards in Background Radiation Deck (15)
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1
Q

What percentage of background radiation is caused by cosmic radiation?

A

10%

2
Q

What percentage of background radiation is caused by man-made radiation?

A

13%

3
Q

What percentage of background radiation is caused by biological material (biomass)?

A

13%

4
Q

What percentage of background radiation is caused by the ground?

A

14%

5
Q

What percentage of background radiation is caused by radon gas?

A

50%

6
Q

Where is cosmic radiation from?

A

Fusion process in all stars

7
Q

What is man-made radiation?

A

Nuclear weapons/testing, medical/ industrial uses

8
Q

What is biological material?

A

All living matter

9
Q

What is radiation from the ground caused by?

A

Radiative material in rocks and magma

10
Q

Where is radon gas from?

A

Rocks, especially granite

11
Q

List the man-made causes of background radiation

A
  • medical/ industrial uses
  • nuclear weapons/ testing
  • nuclear power stations
12
Q

What are the natural causes of background radiation?

A
  • cosmic radiation
  • radon gas
  • rocks/the ground
  • food + living things
13
Q

Why is the number of cosmic rays passing through the body different for each person?

A

People nearer the poles of the Earth get more because the charged particles from space are deflected that way due to the magnetic field of the Earth

14
Q

In the UK, where are background radiation levels the highest?

A
  • Yorkshire
  • Aberdeen
  • Devon
  • Cornwall
15
Q

Why is radon gas in houses more of a problem now than it was 100 years ago?

A

Because the levels of radon gas have increased due to weather events, like storms