Calculating Dose for 3 Hours of 0.3 mSv Beta Radiation Exposure

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating radiation dose exposure, specifically focusing on a scenario involving 0.3 millisieverts of beta radiation over a period of 3 hours. Participants are exploring the implications of different types of radiation and their associated weight factors in the context of dose equivalence.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the units of sieverts and their relation to dose calculations. There is an exploration of the weight factors for different types of radiation, particularly the distinction between alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. Some participants are considering the properties of cosmic radiation and its classification.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants raising questions about the assumptions in the problem and the nature of cosmic radiation. There is a recognition of the need for additional information regarding the type of radiation to accurately determine the dose. Some guidance has been offered regarding the weight factors and the implications for the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem lacks specific information about the type of radiation involved, which is crucial for determining the appropriate weight factor. There is also a mention of the average background radiation dose in Australia, which provides context for the calculations being discussed.

Ukitake Jyuushirou
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For the SI measurement sieverts, are they in per seconds ? Off the internet I can find only sieverts measure as "joules per kg"

But one of the question in my textbook ask me how much dosage a person is exposed to 3 hrs of 0.3 millisieverts
 
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Ukitake Jyuushirou said:
For the SI measurement sieverts, are they in per seconds ? Off the internet I can find only sieverts measure as "joules per kg"

But one of the question in my textbook ask me how much dosage a person is exposed to 3 hrs of 0.3 millisieverts

The dose equivalence H is related with the dose:

[tex]H = W * D[/tex]

with W = weightfactor and D = dose in J/kg. The sievert has thus the same unit as the dose: [tex]Jkg^{-1} = 1 Sv[/tex] (when the impact of the radiation is meant)

To answer your question: it depends on the type of radiotion how much dose a person has received, since the weightfactor for alfa-radiation = 20 (high ionisation damage) whereas beta/gamma/rontgen-radiation have a weightfactor of only 1. So this question misses some crucial information !

--> the Sievert is a unit which is comparable when looking at the effect of the radiation. Damage by 1 Sv alfa-radiation equals 1 Sv gamma-radiation, but 1 Gy alfa-radiation does not equal 1 Gy gamma-radiation.
 
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sdekivit said:
The dose equivalence H is related with the dose:

[tex]H = W * D[/tex]

with W = weightfactor and D = dose in J/kg. The sievert has thus the same unit as the dose: [tex]Jkg^{-1} = 1 Sv[/tex] (when the impact of the radiation is meant)

To answer your question: it depends on the type of radiotion how much dose a person has received, since the weightfactor for alfa-radiation = 20 (high ionisation damage) whereas beta/gamma/rontgen-radiation have a weightfactor of only 1. So this question misses some crucial information !

--> the Sievert is a unit which is comparable when looking at the effect of the radiation. Damage by 1 Sv alfa-radiation equals 1 Sv gamma-radiation, but 1 Gy alfa-radiation does not equal 1 Gy gamma-radiation.

the question in its entirety:

The average radiation dose due to background radiation in Australia at ground level is 1.5 ms (milisievert) per year. Of this amount 0.3 ms is from cosmic radiation. The radiation dose due to cosmic source of a trip by plane from Sydney to Melbourne is 0.01 ms. If the trip takes 3 hrs , what radiation dose due to cosmic source does a person on the ground recieves?

:redface:
 
Ukitake Jyuushirou said:
the question in its entirety:

The average radiation dose due to background radiation in Australia at ground level is 1.5 ms (milisievert) per year. Of this amount 0.3 ms is from cosmic radiation. The radiation dose due to cosmic source of a trip by plane from Sydney to Melbourne is 0.01 ms. If the trip takes 3 hrs , what radiation dose due to cosmic source does a person on the ground recieves?

:redface:

do you think cosmic radiation can be alfa-radiation ? or beta-radiation ? or gamma-radiation? (Think about the properties and particles of these types of radiation)

This is the crucial info i meant and from this question you can determine the weightfactor for this radiation ;)
 
sdekivit said:
do you think cosmic radiation can be alfa-radiation ? or beta-radiation ? or gamma-radiation? (Think about the properties and particles of these types of radiation)

This is the crucial info i meant and from this question you can determine the weightfactor for this radiation ;)
beta radiation...cant be alfa...sweet...i'd go work on it... :smile:
 
Ukitake Jyuushirou said:
beta radiation...cant be alfa...sweet...i'd go work on it... :smile:

do you think the particles are electrons ? The maximum travellength of these particles is about 6 m ;)

But it doesn't matter: W = 1 for this radiation and so the dose can be calculated for this radiation type :)
 

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