Q. Briefly Describe Problems and Applications of Radioactivity?
Ans.
All radiation, electromagnetic as well as the kind from nuclear decay, takes its toll on living organisms. If the radiation has enough energy it can disrupt the functioning of living cells. This is particularly harmful if the radiation damages the nucleic acid molecules which make up your genetic information.
We are constantly being exposed to radiation from natural sources. Rocks contain radioactive elements, we are being bombarded by cosmic rays from space and our food and water contain radioactive particles. Additional amounts of radiation come from man-made sources such as testing from nuclear weapons, medical x-rays and nuclear power plants.
All three types of radiation come in a variety of different energies, but we can make generalizations. Alpha particles are the least penetrating (they can be blocked by a t-shirt) but because of their large mass, they are the most harmful if they actually get into your system. Gamma rays are the most penetrating and require several centimeters of lead to stop them. Beta particles are somewhere in between. They can be stopped by aluminum foil.