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Hazards and Protection
Ionising radiation can damage atoms and molecules inside living tissue.
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Hazards and Protection
Recommended for Class 10
Hazards and Protection
Ionising radiation can damage atoms and molecules inside living tissue.
If important biological molecules such as DNA are damaged, cells may malfunction or die.
Risk Factors
Radiation risk depends on:
type of radiation; energy; activity of the source; exposure time; distance from source; shielding; * absorbed dose.
Basic Protection Principles
Time
Reduce unnecessary exposure time.
Distance
Increasing distance from a source generally reduces exposure.
Shielding
Use suitable shielding for the radiation type.
Different radiation types require different shielding because their penetrating abilities differ.
Contamination and Irradiation
Irradiation means being exposed to radiation from a source.
Contamination means radioactive material is present on or inside an object or person.
These are different hazards.
Safe Practice
Radioactive materials should only be handled through trained, regulated procedures.
Hazards and Protection — Advanced
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Mistake
Exposure to radiation does not automatically mean contamination.
- Mistake
A protective method must match the radiation type and situation.
Revision Zone
60-Second Revision
Quick cues from this topic — use them for last-minute revision.
- Definition
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Practice
PQ
Q1. State radiation hazards.
PQ
Q2. Explain the time principle.
PQ
Q3. Explain the distance principle.
PQ
Q4. Explain shielding.
PQ
Q5. Distinguish contamination and irradiation.
Exam Practice
EQ
Q1. Explain radiation hazards to living tissue.
EQ
Q2. Describe time, distance and shielding.
EQ
Q3. Define contamination.
EQ
Q4. Define irradiation.
EQ
Q5. Explain why safe handling requires training.
School-standard facts for Matric and Intermediate. Original explanations — not copied from textbooks.