ICSE Class 10 Physics Question 19 of 27

Radioactivity — Question 27

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Question

Question 27

What do you mean by background radiations? Name it's two sources. Is it possible for us to keep ourselves away from it?

Answer

Background radiations are the radioactive radiations (such as α, β and γ) to which we all are exposed, even in the absence of an actual visible radioactive source.

The sources of background radiation are:

  1. Internal source — the radioactive substances such as potassium (K-40), carbon (C-14) and radium are present inside our body.
  2. External source — cosmic rays, naturally occurring radioactive elements such as radon-222 and solar radiation.

It is not possible for us to keep ourselves away from the background radiations.