Radiation Safety: Irradiation and Contamination

Part of Uses & Hazards of Radiation · Section 6 of 17

DiagramUnit: Atomic StructureGCSE
Radiation safety diagram. On the left a person stands near a sealed source container while rays pass through them and continue outward — irradiation. In the centre the yellow and black radiation warning symbol. On the right a person has radioactive specks resting on their skin and clothing — contamination. Below, a DNA strand with a break in it showing damage to living cells.

Figure 1: Irradiation exposes you to radiation from outside; contamination means the radioactive material is on or in you.

This diagram covers Radiation Safety: Irradiation and Contamination within Uses & Hazards of Radiation for GCSE Physics. Revise Uses & Hazards of Radiation in Atomic Structure for GCSE Physics with 18 exam-style questions and 5 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 6 of 17 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

Practice questions for Uses & Hazards of Radiation

Which type of radiation is used in smoke detectors?

  • A. Gamma
  • B. Beta
  • C. X-rays
  • D. Alpha
1 markfoundation

Explain how a smoke detector uses an alpha source to detect smoke.

2 marksstandard

Quick recall flashcards

Beta stopped by?
Few mm aluminium
Most ionising?
Alpha

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