Key Stage 4
Meaning
Irradiation is when a material is exposed to ionising radiation.
About Irradiation
- Irradiation is dangerous because it can cause the atoms in living tissue to become ionised which can kill cells or damage their DNA leading to cancer.
- Irradiation can be useful as it can destroy living organisms such as bacteria. Food and medical equipment are irradiated to sterilise them.
- Irradiation does not leave a material radioactive so after a material has been irradiated the danger is gone.
References
AQA
- Irradiation, page 105, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Irradiation, page 122, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Irradiation, page 134, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
- Irradiation, page 351, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
- Irradiation, page 47, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Irradiation, pages 122-3, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA