AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
The level of background radiation and radiation dose may be affected by…
Full specification wording
Background radiation: The level of background radiation and radiation dose may be affected by occupation and/or location.
Not everyone receives the same dose.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Not everyone receives the same dose. Location matters because rock type and altitude vary: houses built on granite, as in parts of Cornwall and Aberdeen, receive far more radon than those on chalk or clay, and at high altitude there is less atmosphere above you to absorb cosmic rays. Occupation matters because some jobs put people near sources: radiographers and radiotherapy staff, workers in nuclear power stations and reprocessing plants, and aircrew who spend working hours at altitude. These workers are monitored with film badges or electronic dosimeters and work to legal dose limits, because a higher dose raises the chance of damage to cells and DNA and so of cancer developing later.
What earns the marks
- A named occupation with a raised dose, such as radiographer, nuclear industry worker or aircrew.
- A named location factor, such as granite areas releasing radon or high altitude reducing the absorption of cosmic rays.
- Linking a higher dose to a greater risk of damage to cells or of developing cancer.
- A control measure such as a film badge or dosimeter and a legal dose limit.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Explaining aircrew doses by saying they are closer to the Sun's heat rather than less shielded from cosmic rays.
Assuming everyone in the country receives an identical dose.
Confusing dose in sieverts with the activity of a source in becquerels.
Treating radon as a man-made pollutant.
Naming an occupation with no reason why the dose is higher.
Exam tips
- Name the occupation and the reason together; the job title alone is usually only half the answer.
- If a data table of doses is given, quote figures from it rather than recalled values.
- Say 'more radon' or 'more cosmic rays' explicitly when explaining a location effect.
Try the lesson
The start of the Background radiation: The level of background radiation and radiation dose may be affected by occupation and/or location. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these workers is most likely to receive a higher radiation dose because of their occupation?
Listen
Not everyone receives the same dose. Location matters because rock type and altitude vary: houses built on granite, as in parts of Cornwall and Aberdeen, receive far more radon than those on chalk or clay, and at high altitude there is less atmosphere above you to absorb cosmic rays. Occupation matters because some jobs put people near sources: radiographers and radiotherapy staff, workers in nuclear power stations and reprocessing plants, and aircrew who spend working hours at altitude. These workers are monitored with film badges or electronic dosimeters and work to legal dose limits, because a higher dose raises the chance of damage to cells and DNA and so of cancer developing later. A strong answer earns marks for these points. a named occupation with a raised dose, such as radiographer, nuclear industry worker or aircrew. a named location factor, such as granite areas releasing radon or high altitude reducing the absorption of cosmic rays. linking a higher dose to a greater risk of damage to cells or of developing cancer. a control measure such as a film badge or dosimeter and a legal dose limit. Exam tip: Name the occupation and the reason together; the job title alone is usually only half the answer.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
occupational dose
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radon and geology
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altitude and cosmic rays
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dose monitoring
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See every definition
- occupational dose
- Some jobs put people near sources, so workers such as radiographers, nuclear power station staff and aircrew receive a raised dose.
- radon and geology
- Houses built on granite, as in parts of Cornwall and Aberdeen, receive far more radon than those on chalk or clay.
- altitude and cosmic rays
- At high altitude there is less atmosphere above you to absorb cosmic rays, and aircrew spend working hours at altitude.
- dose monitoring
- Workers are monitored with film badges or electronic dosimeters and work to legal dose limits.
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