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Measuring Radioactivity definitions Flashcards

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Measuring Radioactivity definitions
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  • Curie
    A unit measuring radioactive decay, equivalent to 3.7×10^10 disintegrations per second.
  • Becquerel
    The SI unit for radioactive decay, representing one disintegration per second.
  • Roentgen
    Measures ionizing intensity of gamma and X-rays, with no SI equivalent.
  • Rad
    A unit of absorbed radiation dose, equal to 1×10^-5 joules per gram.
  • Gray
    The SI unit for absorbed radiation dose, equivalent to 1 joule per kilogram.
  • Rem
    A unit assessing tissue damage, calculated as rad times relative biological effectiveness.
  • Sievert
    The SI unit for assessing tissue damage, where 1 Sv equals 100 rem.
  • Relative Biological Effectiveness
    A factor accounting for ionizing intensity and biological effect, varying by radiation type.
  • Gamma Rays
    High-energy electromagnetic radiation with an RBE of 1.
  • Alpha Particles
    Heavier radiation particles with an RBE of 20, indicating higher biological impact.
  • Beta Particles
    Radiation particles with an RBE of 1, similar to X-rays and gamma rays.
  • Ionizing Intensity
    The measure of radiation's ability to ionize atoms, relevant for gamma and X-rays.
  • Decay Events
    Occurrences of radioactive disintegration, measured in curies or becquerels.
  • Tissue Damage
    Harm caused by radiation, assessed using rems or sieverts.
  • Disintegrations per Second
    A measure of radioactive decay rate, fundamental to curie and becquerel units.