Question detail
Which option is an artificial source of 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. Nuclear power plants
- B. Radon gas from rocks
- C. Cosmic rays from space
- D. Radioactive materials in soil
Answer
Nuclear power plants. This is an artificial source of background radiation because it comes from human activity rather than natural rocks, cosmic rays, or soil.
Explanation
Nuclear power plants is correct. Artificial background radiation sources are linked to human activity, including nuclear power and medical uses of radiation. Radon gas from rocks, cosmic rays from space, and radioactive materials in soil are natural sources. This question tests the artificial versus natural source boundary, so the correct option must be human-made and still relevant to background radiation.
Common mistake
Confusing Sources of Radiation
Students often confuse artificial sources of background radiation with natural sources, failing to identify examples such as medical uses and nuclear power.
To fix this, students should create a clear list of natural and artificial sources of background radiation, ensuring they can distinguish between the two categories and provide specific examples for each.
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