A worker in a nuclear power plant is exposed to radiation from radioactive materials. Describe the precautions the worker should take to reduce the risk of harm from radiation.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Workers in nuclear power plants must follow strict safety procedures when working near radioactive sources. Different types of radiation pose different levels of risk, and the risk depends on whether the source is inside or outside the body.
Model answer (4 marks)
1. Wear protective clothing such as a lead‑lined apron or other shielding to reduce exposure to gamma (or beta) radiation.
2. Increase the distance from the radioactive source – the intensity of radiation falls off with the square of the distance.
3. Limit the time spent near the source – the dose received is directly proportional to the exposure time.
4. Wear a film badge or dosimeter to monitor the radiation dose received and ensure it remains within safe limits.
2. Increase the distance from the radioactive source – the intensity of radiation falls off with the square of the distance.
3. Limit the time spent near the source – the dose received is directly proportional to the exposure time.
4. Wear a film badge or dosimeter to monitor the radiation dose received and ensure it remains within safe limits.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms from the mark scheme – "protective clothing", "lead‑lined apron", "shielding", "distance", "time", "film badge", "dosimeter".
- Show the cause–effect relationship: distance and time reduce dose, shielding blocks radiation, badges record dose.
Common mistakes
- Confusing shielding for distance or time – each is a separate precaution.
- Omitting the dosimeter – examiners expect all four points to be mentioned.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Wear protective clothing / lead-lined apron or use shielding to reduce exposure to gamma radiation (or beta radiation)
- Increase the distance from the radioactive source to reduce the intensity of radiation received
- Limit / reduce the time spent near the radioactive source to reduce the dose received
- Wear a film badge / dosimeter to monitor the radiation dose received
Related
- All OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
More Uses and hazards of radiation questions
- Explain why gamma radiation is more hazardous to living cells than alpha radiati…
- Explain why alpha radiation is considered more hazardous than gamma radiation wh…
- Explain why smoke detectors that use americium-241, an alpha emitter, are consid…
- A hospital uses a radioactive tracer to investigate the function of a patient's …