The Secrets of Atomic Radiation by Dr. Mohammad Al-Jarallah Professor, Department of Physics King...

The Secrets of Atomic The Secrets of Atomic Radiation Radiation

bybyDr. Mohammad Al-JarallahDr. Mohammad Al-Jarallah

Professor, Department of PhysicsProfessor, Department of PhysicsKing Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsKing Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaDhahran, Saudi Arabiahttp://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/PHYS/mibrahimhttp://faculty.kfupm.edu.sa/PHYS/mibrahim

14-2-142614-2-1426 The Secrets of Atomic Radiation HadeedThe Secrets of Atomic Radiation Hadeed 22

AbstractAbstract Atomic radiation as a phenomenon is as old as the universe itself. It is Atomic radiation as a phenomenon is as old as the universe itself. It is

a normal part of nature and life. At this very moment, thousands of a normal part of nature and life. At this very moment, thousands of rays are penetrating your body every second. The majority of rays are penetrating your body every second. The majority of radiation originates in nature and is totally independent of what man radiation originates in nature and is totally independent of what man does. Today, our environment also contains a small amount of extra does. Today, our environment also contains a small amount of extra “unnatural” radiation which is caused by the activities of mankind.“unnatural” radiation which is caused by the activities of mankind.

The use of radiation has become an integral part of modern life. From The use of radiation has become an integral part of modern life. From the x-ray picture of broken limb to the treatment of cancer, the the x-ray picture of broken limb to the treatment of cancer, the medical applications of radiation are now accepted as commonplace, medical applications of radiation are now accepted as commonplace, and x-ray facilities are available in almost every community hospital.and x-ray facilities are available in almost every community hospital.

Radiation contributes in the production of electricity, agriculture, and Radiation contributes in the production of electricity, agriculture, and in other industry.in other industry.

In my lecture I will try to describe in simple terms, what ionizing In my lecture I will try to describe in simple terms, what ionizing radiation to which man is exposed and second to review its sources radiation to which man is exposed and second to review its sources and then I will shed a light on the applications of radiation in different and then I will shed a light on the applications of radiation in different walks of life.walks of life.


The Secrets of Atomic RadiationThe Secrets of Atomic Radiation 1.1. The AtomThe Atom2.2. Atomic RadiationAtomic Radiation3.3. Our Radiation HeritageOur Radiation Heritage4.4. Man Made RadiationMan Made Radiation5.5. Application of Atomic Radiation In:Application of Atomic Radiation In:

MedicineMedicine Power ProductionPower Production WeaponsWeapons AgricultureAgriculture IndustryIndustry

6.6. Biological Effects of RadiationBiological Effects of Radiation7.7. Radiation ProtectionRadiation Protection8.8. SummarySummary


1 - The Atom1 - The Atom Radiation cannot be understood without knowing a little Radiation cannot be understood without knowing a little

about the structure of the atom, since ultimately all radiation about the structure of the atom, since ultimately all radiation originates inside the atom. The atom resembles a miniature originates inside the atom. The atom resembles a miniature solar system. In the center of the atom is the nucleus, while solar system. In the center of the atom is the nucleus, while electrons orbit around it, rather as planets more around the electrons orbit around it, rather as planets more around the sun.sun.

The nucleus contain almost all of the weight and substance of The nucleus contain almost all of the weight and substance of the atom; it is build up of protons, which are about the same the atom; it is build up of protons, which are about the same size as a proton but do not carry an electric charge.size as a proton but do not carry an electric charge.

The electrons in orbit are tiny particles, nearly 2000 times The electrons in orbit are tiny particles, nearly 2000 times smaller than a proton or a neutron. The inside of the atom is smaller than a proton or a neutron. The inside of the atom is almost all unoccupied space!. The analogy with the solar almost all unoccupied space!. The analogy with the solar system?system?


The ElementsThe Elements The IsotopesThe Isotopes MoleculesMolecules


2 - Atomic Radiation2 - Atomic Radiation

Definition of Atomic Radiation:Definition of Atomic Radiation:

It is that radiation which has the capability of It is that radiation which has the capability of ionizing atoms and molecules, and so cause changes ionizing atoms and molecules, and so cause changes which are biologically important.which are biologically important.

Types of Atomic Radiation: The main areTypes of Atomic Radiation: The main are


1. 1. - Rays - Rays


2. 2. - Rays - Rays


3. 3. - Rays - Rays


4. X - Rays4. X - Rays


3 - Our Radiation Heritage3 - Our Radiation Heritage We can classify natural atomic radiation that we are We can classify natural atomic radiation that we are

exposed to either in terms of their sources or their exposed to either in terms of their sources or their locations in the environment.locations in the environment.

The Sources of Natural Atomic Radiation are:The Sources of Natural Atomic Radiation are:1.1. Cosmic RadiationCosmic Radiation2.2. Cosmogenic RadiationCosmogenic Radiation3.3. Naturally Radioactive SeriesNaturally Radioactive Series4.4. Singly occurring Primordial RadionucliesSingly occurring Primordial Radionuclies5.5. Radioactive Ores and By-products (TENORM)Radioactive Ores and By-products (TENORM)6.6. Radon and Its ProgenyRadon and Its Progeny


A.A. Cosmic Radiation Cosmic Radiation

- Source: Outer Space

1- Primary Cosmic Radiation:

- 87 % protons

-11 % alpha particles

- 2% heavier nuclei & electrons

2- Secondary Cosmic Radiation:

- pions, meuons, electrons, photons, protons & neutrons


B.B. Radioactivity of the Earth Radioactivity of the Earth

- Mainly ( U-238 series, Th-232 series, K-40 (abundance 0.01% ) )

- In 1 km3 there is about:

1 ton K-40 T 1/2 = 1.28 X 109 yr

4 tons U-238 T 1/2 = 4.47 X 109 yr

8 tons Th-232 T 1/2 =14.1X 109 yr

Rb-87 T 1/2 = 50 X 109 yr


C.C. Radioactivity of Air Radioactivity of Air

-Radon & its daughters ( Lung Dose )

- C-14 (1 in 1012 ) T 1/2 = 5730 yr

- H-3 T 1/2 = 12.3 yr

- Na-22 T 1/2 = 12.6 yr

- Be-7 T 1/2 = 53.3 days


238238UU 234234Th Th 234234PaPa 234234U U Alpha Decay ( Alpha Decay (44He) He) Beta Decay (e)Beta Decay (e) 230230ThTh 226226RaRa 222222RnRn 218218PoPo 214214PbPb 214214BiBi 214214PoPo

218218P bP b 210210Bi Bi 210210PoPo

206206PbPb

Decay Series of Uranium-238


D. Radioactivity of Water

-Sea water : K-40 -Spring water :U, Th, Ra

E. Radioactivity of the Human Body

- Comes from food & water consumption

- In the body:

K-40, Rb-87, Ra-226, U-238, Po-210 & C-14

- In the Skeleton: Ra-226

- In Bone: U-238 & Po-210


4- Man Made Radiation Sources4- Man Made Radiation Sources

List of Major Man-Made Radiation SourcesList of Major Man-Made Radiation Sources

- Nuclear Particle Accelerators.

- Nuclear Reactors.

- Isotopic Neutron Sources.

- Medical Syringe & Food Sterilization by Radiation.

- Electron Beam.


A. Fallout- Debris which settles to the earth as a result of a nuclear blast.

- 1 Megatons device can activate up to 50000 tons of debris.

- These are more than 200 fission products.

- Examples: Sr-90 T 1/2 = 28.1 yr

Cs-137 T 1/2 = 30 yr

I-131 T 1/2 = 8.06 days

C-14 T 1/2 = 5730 yr

H-3 T 1/2 = 12.3 yr


B.B. Consumer Products & Miscellaneous Sources Consumer Products & Miscellaneous Sources

- Wrist Watches & Alarm Clocks: Ra-226, H-3.

- Tobacco Products: Pb-210, Po-210.

- Building Materials: U, Th, K-40.

- Combustion of Fuels: Ra-226, Th-232, C-14, K-40, U, ….

- Smoke Detectors: Am-241.


Consumer Products & Miscellaneous SourcesConsumer Products & Miscellaneous Sources

- Porcelain used for making dentures: K-40 doped with U.

- Some rose tinted eyeglasses contain up to 0.25 % Th.

- Airport Luggage Inspection System uses X-rays.

- Television Sets: give soft X-rays.


5 - Application of Atomic Radiation 5 - Application of Atomic Radiation A.A. Medicine Medicine

1- Radiation Therapy - In the bast: Co-60

- Now: Linear Acceleration up to 23 MeV


2- Radiology2- Radiology

3- Nuclear Medicine

- I-131, Tc-99m, P-32, Fe-52


B.B. Power Production Power Production

Radioisotope thermoelectric generator (1000 TBq 90Sr)


Food irradiator400 000 TBq 60Co

C.C. Agriculture Agriculture


D.D. Weapons Weapons


E.E. Industrial Application Industrial Application-Thickness Gauges: for paper, plastic sheets, tires, pipe,

steel, etc. .

- Moisture Gauges: for soil, coke, steel making plant.

- Density Gauges: for soil compactor, steel making plant.

- Level Gauges: water & oil reservoirs.

- Radiography: oil pipes in refinery, airoplanes

- Mineral Exploration: in oil & mineral exploration.


Moisture-Density GaugesMoisture-Density Gauges


6 - Biological Effects of Radiation6 - Biological Effects of Radiation

How Radiation can Lead to Damage in Tissue

Radiation

Damage to DNA

Cell Death Cell Transformation

Early Effect Cancer

Physical & Chemical Changes

Electrical Effect (Ionization)

Hereditary Defects


7 - Radiation Protection7 - Radiation Protection

The three principles of radiation protection:The three principles of radiation protection: DistanceDistance TimeTime ShieldingShielding


8 - Summary8 - Summary

Atomic radiation as a phenomenon is as old as the Atomic radiation as a phenomenon is as old as the universe itself. It is a normal part of nature and universe itself. It is a normal part of nature and life. At this very moment, thousands of rays are life. At this very moment, thousands of rays are penetrating your body every second. The majority penetrating your body every second. The majority of radiation originates in nature and is totally of radiation originates in nature and is totally independent of what man does. Today, our independent of what man does. Today, our environment also contains a small amount of extra environment also contains a small amount of extra “unnatural” radiation which is caused by the “unnatural” radiation which is caused by the activities of mankind.activities of mankind.


Thank you

Date post:	15-Jan-2016
Category:	Documents
View:	216 times
Download:	3 times

The Secrets of Atomic Radiation by Dr. Mohammad Al-Jarallah Professor, Department of Physics King...

Documents