# Explain the difference between radioactive contamination and irradiation, and state which presents the greater long-term hazard to a person.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.4.2 Atoms and nuclear radiation · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Irradiation is the process of an object being exposed to nuclear radiation from an external source
2. The irradiated object does not become radioactive / the hazard ends when the source is removed
3. Radioactive contamination is the unwanted presence of radioactive atoms on or in a material / the radioactive atoms are transferred to the object
4. Contamination presents the greater long-term hazard because the radioactive atoms remain on/in the object and continue to decay, emitting radiation over a long period of time

## Key terms

- [radioactive contamination](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/radioactive-contamination)
- [irradiation](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/irradiation)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](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/explain-the-difference-between-radioactive-contamination-240d82de) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.