# A technician works in a hospital where radioactive sources are used regularly. Explain why the technician wears a photographic film badge and why it is important that background radiation is measured at the start of each working day.

> Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0) — 6.1 Circular motion and momentum · Explain · 5 marks

> Radioactive sources are used in hospitals for a range of diagnostic and treatment purposes. Workers who handle these sources must follow strict safety procedures to monitor their exposure to radiation.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The photographic film absorbs radiation and goes darker / the greater the radiation absorbed, the darker the film becomes
2. The badge allows monitoring of the total radiation exposure / dose received by the technician over time
3. Background radiation is present all around us from natural and/or man-made sources
4. Background radiation must be subtracted from / accounted for in readings to find the true count rate from the radioactive source alone
5. Background radiation can vary day to day / at different times, so it must be measured each day to ensure an accurate correction is made

## Key terms

- [photographic film badge](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/photographic-film-badge)
- [background radiation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/background-radiation)
- [radioactive source](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/radioactive-source)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Physics (9PH0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-technician-works-in-a-hospital-89254043) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.