Uses of radiationOnline version Uses of different types of radiation by Dr R Yeates (HL Teacher) 1 Group 1 2 Group 2 3 Group 3 4 Group 4 5 Group 5 Smoke detector Contain an alpha emitter - smoke entering the detector blocks the radiation triggering the alarm. Alpha particles cannot travel very far in air and pose no health risk if more than a few cm away from people Sterilising medical equipment Bacteria are killed by the radiation through sealed plastic wrappers Gamma rays kill living cells (bacteria) Industry detectors Detectors which use radiation to monitor and check the thickness of material such as paper, plastic or aluminium Alpha radiation is stopped by the material, beta is partially absorbed and gamma passes through. Cancer treatment Radiation strong enough to kill cancer cells is focused on the tumour. Gamma radiation kills living cells (cancer) Tracers Radiation are used in medicine and industry to find out what is happening inside objects without having to open them. Beta or gamma radiation is used depending on the material the tracer needs to pass through. Alpha cannot be used as it is too easily absorbed
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