Question
(2) Explain why contamination of the inside of the human body by a radioactive material that emits alpha radiation is highly dangerous. __
Answer
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Ian
Elite · Tutor for 8 years
Answer
Internal contamination by a radioactive material that emits alpha radiation is highly dangerous because the alpha particles can cause significant damage to cells and DNA in the sensitive internal tissues of the body. Unlike the skin, these internal tissues are not capable of stopping alpha particles, leading to potential serious health problems.
Explanation
## Step 1: Understanding Alpha RadiationAlpha radiation consists of alpha particles, which are relatively large and have a positive charge. This means they don't penetrate materials very deeply and can be stopped by the outer layer of human skin when they are outside the body.## Step 2: Alpha Radiation and Internal ContaminationHowever, if alpha-emitting materials are ingested or inhaled, the alpha particles can come into direct contact with sensitive internal tissues. Inside the body, these particles can cause significant damage to cells and DNA because they have a high ionizing power.## Step 3: The Danger of Internal ContaminationThe danger of internal contamination by alpha radiation is that the inner tissues of the body are not as protective as the skin. Thus, they can be damaged by alpha particles if the particles are ingested or inhaled. This can lead to serious health problems, including cancer.