# Explain why workers in a nuclear power station are given film badges to wear, and describe what the film badge detects.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P4.3 Radioactive emissions · Explain · 4 marks

> Workers in a nuclear power station may be exposed to ionising radiation from radioactive materials. To monitor their exposure, each worker wears a film badge at all times whilst on site.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Ionising radiation can damage living cells / body tissue / DNA
2. The film badge monitors / measures the (total) dose / amount of radiation the worker has been exposed to
3. The badge contains photographic film that is darkened / fogged by ionising radiation
4. The greater the exposure to radiation, the darker the film becomes, allowing the dose to be determined / so that if the film is very dark the worker has received too high a dose

## Key terms

- [film badge](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/film-badge)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](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-why-workers-in-a-nuclear-588c070a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.