QUARTER 2 SCIENCE 10 ACTIVITIES

Radiation Alert What’s New

Name: ________________________ Score:___________
Section: ______________________ Date: ___________

Let Us Begin

Radiation is a means of transferring energy. It

can occur naturally or be manmade and it has been
The Invisible Radiation
around us throughout our evolution. Some type of
Have you seen this picture somewhere? Write
electromagnetic (EM) radiations poses a certain
all your inferences about the picture.
degree of risk and danger to people and environment.
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Some are used in the medical field for diagnosis and
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treatments. Our bodies are designed to deal with the
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low levels we are exposed to every day. Thus, in this
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lesson you will learn the effects of EM radiation on
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living things and the environment.
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What’s In
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Before we proceed further, it is important to
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look back on your past lessons that are in some way
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related to this topic on the effects of EM radiation on
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living things and the environment.
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Activity 1: ACROSTIC EM Waves
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Do you still remember the different regions
What is It
of the EM spectrum? Now, try to compose an acrostic
poem (a form of poetry where the first or last letter
The symbol is called
of each line spell a name, word, or phrases) out of it.
Trefoil and known as an
international sign used to
indicate (1) radioactive sources,
(2) containers for radioactive
materials, and (3) areas where
radioactive materials are stored
and used.
The presence of this symbol (a magenta or
black propeller on a yellow background) on a sign
denotes the need for caution to avoid contamination
with or undue exposure to atomic radiation.
In the previous lesson, you are familiar with
at least some forms of electromagnetic radiation, and
their uses based on different parts of the spectrum
(such as radio and TV signals, microwave and cell
phones, infrared remote controls, visible light, X-
rays, etc).
Have you tried placing your hand on top of
your desk or table? Does the table feel cool? The
table feels cool because the atoms and molecules in
your hand are vibrating faster than the atoms and
Can you state some uses/ applications of EM waves? molecules in the table. How about when you hold it?
__________________________________________ Does it become warmer? This is because the heat
__________________________________________ from your hand is being transferred to the table.
__________________________________________ Ionization is one of the ways that radiation,
__________________________________________ such as charged particles and X-rays, transfers its
__________________________________________ energy to matter. In general, it occurs whenever
__________________________________________ sufficiently energetic charged particles or radiant
__________________________________________ energy travel through gases, liquids, or solids.
__________________________________________ Charged particles, such as alpha particles and
__________________________________________ electrons from radioactive materials, cause extensive
__________________________________________ ionization along their paths.
 Radiation is a way of transmitting energy risks seem not that great a concern based on current
from one place to another. Visible light is one form research.
of radiation and just part of the electromagnetic
spectrum. The amount of energy carried by radiation Biological Effects of Exposure to Radiation
determines whether it is harmful or not. High energy
forms (called ionizing radiation) are especially Radiation can harm either the whole body
damaging. (somatic damage) or eggs and sperm (genetic
damage). Its effects are more pronounced in cells that
There are two types: reproduce rapidly, such as the stomach lining, hair
• Non-ionizing radiation, which includes follicles, bone marrow, and embryos. This is why
radio waves, cell phones, microwaves, patients undergoing radiation therapy often feel
infrared radiation and visible light; and nauseous or sick to their stomach, lose hair, have
• Ionizing radiation, which includes bone aches, and so on, and why particular care must
ultraviolet radiation, radon, x-rays, and be taken when undergoing radiation therapy during
gamma rays. pregnancy.
Different types of radiation have differing
There is a large difference in the magnitude of the abilities to pass through material (Figure 2). A very
biological effects of nonionizing radiation (for thin barrier, such as a sheet or two of paper, or the top
example, light and microwaves) and ionizing layer of skin cells, usually stops alpha particles.
radiation, emissions energetic enough to knock Because of this, alpha particle sources are usually not
electrons out of molecules (for example, α and β dangerous if outside the body but are quite hazardous
particles, γ rays, X-rays, and high-energy ultraviolet if ingested or inhaled. Beta particles will pass
radiation). through a hand, or a thin layer of material like paper
or wood but are stopped by a thin layer of metal.
Gamma radiation is very penetrating and can pass
through a thick layer of most materials. Some high-
energy gamma radiation is able to pass through a few
feet of concrete. Certain dense, high atomic number
elements (such as lead) can effectively attenuate
gamma radiation with thinner material and are used
for shielding. The ability of various kinds of
emissions to cause ionization varies greatly, and
some particles have almost no tendency to produce
ionization. Alpha particles have about twice the
ionizing power of fastmoving neutrons, about 10
times that of β particles, and about 20 times that of γ
rays and X-rays.

Energy absorbed from non-ionizing radiation

speeds up the movement of atoms and molecules,
which is equivalent to heating the sample. Although
biological systems are sensitive to heat (as we might
know from touching a hot stove or spending a day at
the beach in the sun), a large amount of non-ionizing
radiation is necessary before dangerous levels are
reached. Ionizing radiation, however, may cause
much more severe damage by breaking bonds or
removing electrons in biological molecules,
disrupting their structure and function.

What are the sources of radiation exposure?

Effects on Living Organisms
Background radiation is all around us all the
time. Most of it forms naturally from minerals. These Radiation carries considerable energy. When
radioactive minerals are in the ground, soil, water, travelling through matter, they transmit their energy
and even our bodies. Background radiation can also to the surrounding atoms and molecules. This
come from outer space and the sun. Other sources are transmission result in excitation, ionization and
man-made, such as x-rays, radiation therapy to treat dissociation of atoms and molecules along the
cancer, and electrical power lines. There are sources radiation path. These reactions can damage cells and
of low-energy radiation that we use daily (such as even break up the nucleus. Radiation can render cells
microwave ovens and cell phones), but their health incapable of division. It can also change the structure
of the DNA molecule, which determines the nature What’s More
of the cell and thereby of the whole organisms.
Dividing cells are most susceptible to Activity 2: Understanding EM Radiation
radiation damage. Pregnant women should not be
exposed to radiations, not even X rays! The growing Complete the table below using the
fetus in mother’s womb is most vulnerable to information you have learned. The first one is done
radiation damage. The damaged cell will pass on its for you.
newly acquired characteristics from generation to the
next mutation.
The damaging effect of radiations on cells
and tissues has been put to good use though. Because
radiation can retard or stop the growth of cells, it is
being used in food preservation. Gamma rays destroy
microorganisms and insects, including their eggs,
which spoil food. Thus, radiation is used to extend
the shelf life of potatoes, onions, and garlic. It is also
used to delay the ripening of fruits like mango and
also to retard or destroy certain types of tumor or
cancer.
But radiation, as we stated earlier, also causes
mutation. Because it can change the structure of the
DNA molecule, it can cause cancer. On the other
hand, radiation-induced mutation can also bring
benefits: high yielding and disease resistant strains of
rice, corn, beans, mongo, and other agricultural crops What I Can Do
and sterile breeds of rats and other pests.
Activity 3: This is My Point!
Measuring Radiation Exposure
Task: Express your thoughts/ point of view in an
Several different devices are used to detect essay if you are in favor or not on the given statement
and measure radiation, including Geiger counters, below.
scintillation counters (scintillators), and radiation
dosimeters. Probably the best-known radiation Building a Nuclear Power Plant in Davao City
instrument, the Geiger counter (also called the
is Beneficial for All
Geiger-Müller counter) detects and measures
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radiation. Radiation causes the ionization of the gas
in a Geiger-Müller tube. The rate of ionization is _____________________________________________
proportional to the amount of radiation. _____________________________________________
A scintillation counter contains a _____________________________________________
scintillator—a material that emits light (luminesces) _____________________________________________
when excited by ionizing radiation—and a sensor _____________________________________________
that converts the light into an electric signal. _____________________________________________
Radiation dosimeters also measure ionizing _____________________________________________
radiation and are often used to determine personal _____________________________________________
radiation exposure. Commonly used types are _____________________________________________
electronic, film badge, thermoluminescent, and _____________________________________________
quartz fiber dosimeters.
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