Question detail
How does altitude affect background radiation levels?
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. Higher altitude increases background radiation due to cosmic rays
- B. Lower altitude increases background radiation due to rocks
- C. Altitude has no effect on background radiation
- D. Higher altitude decreases background radiation
Answer
The correct answer is A: Higher altitude increases background radiation due to cosmic rays.
Explanation
The correct answer is A: Higher altitude increases background radiation due to cosmic rays. This supports the learning objective "Identify natural sources of background radiation, including rocks, cosmic rays, radon gas, food and living organisms." in Background radiation because it uses the correct atomic and nuclear radiation relationship for Hazards and uses of radioactive emissions and of background radiation. The other options are less suitable because they do not match the required Background radiation idea: Lower altitude increases background radiation due to rocks; Altitude has no effect on background radiation; Higher altitude decreases background radiation.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Natural Sources
Students often confuse natural sources of background radiation, thinking that all radiation comes from artificial sources.
To fix this, students should study and memorize the different natural sources of background radiation, such as cosmic rays, radon gas, and rocks, and understand their contributions to overall background radiation.
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