Background Radiation

Although you can't see it, nuclear radiation is all around us all the time! - So how did we discover it?

(Acidentally! - Scientists were trying to work out which materials were radioactive, and couldnt understand why their reader still showed radioactivity when there was no material being tested).

Where does 'background radiation' come from? [4]
- Earth
  - Where on Earth? [5]
    - Air
    - Food
    - Building Materials
    - Soil
    - Rocks
- Space (Cosmic rays)
  - Where does most of the radiation that hits the Earth from Space originate from? [1]
    - The Sun
  - What protects us from most of these cosmic rays and how? [2]
    - The Earth's atmosphere absorbs much of this radiation
    - The Earth's magnetic field also deflects cosmic rays away from the Earth
- Living Things
  - Does that mean you and I are radioactive? [1]
    - There's a little bit of radioactive material in all living things!
- Human Activity
  - What kinds of human activities? [2]
    - fallout from nuclear explosions
    - dumped nuclear waste
Where are background radiation levels high and dangerous? [3]
- At high altitudes (e.g. in jet planes)
  - Why? [1]
    - More exposure to cosmic rays
  - Are commercial pilots at more risk of getting cancer? [1]
    - Yes
- Underground (e.g. in mines)
  - Why? [1]
    - Due to the rocks all around
- Places with certain rock types (e.g. Granite)
  - Why? [1]
    - Some rocks release radioactive radon gas which can get trapped in people's houses
  - What's so dangerous about radon gas? [1]
    - high doses can cause high risk of lung cancer
  - How might the Government reduce the risk to people living in these areas? [1]
    - Install good ventillation systems into the houses

Classwork
- 1) Briefly describe what background radiation is
- 2) List three sources of background radiation
- 3) Research the 'Northern Lights' and produce a poster or leaflet about it. It should include 3 of your own amazing facts and explanations to the following 3 questions: (1: What are the northern lights ad how does it occur? 2: Where does it occur and why doesn't it occur near my home? 3: What do cosmic rays have to do with the northern lights and why do the lights twist and spiral like that?).
Homework
- 1) Copy any of the following statements that are true
  - Radon gas is given off by rocks such as granite
  - Exposure to radon gas increases the risk of getting lung cancer
  - Scientists are sure that radon gas is only dangerous at high levels of concentration
  - If you live where there is a lot of radon gas, there is nothing you can do about it
  - The risk from radon gas is the same whether you smoke or not
- 2) List five sources of background radiation
- 3) Radon gas building up in people's houses is a problem
  - Explain why it's a problem
  - Why is the level of radon gas in homes different in different parts of the country?
  - What can b done to reduce the build-up of radon gas in homes?

<h1>'Telescopic Topic': create collapsible summaries with ease!</h1>
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<p> </p>
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Background Radiation

Although you can't see it, nuclear radiation is all around us all the time! - So how did we discover it?

(Acidentally! - Scientists were trying to work out which materials were radioactive, and couldnt understand why their reader still showed radioactivity when there was no material being tested).

Where does 'background radiation' come from? [4]

Where are background radiation levels high and dangerous? [3]

Classwork

Homework