Question detail
What is background radiation?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation
Question
- A. Ionising radiation that is always present in the environment
- B. Radiation emitted only during nuclear accidents
- C. Radiation that is only present in certain locations
- D. Radiation that can be completely shielded
Answer
Ionising radiation that is always present in the environment
Explanation
Background radiation is defined as ionising radiation that is always present in the environment, originating from natural and artificial sources.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Background Count Rate
Students often confuse background count rate with the count rate from a radioactive source, thinking they are the same.
Emphasize that the background count rate is the natural radiation present in the environment and must be subtracted from the measured count rate to obtain the true count from the radioactive source.
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