CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is the Radiation Weighting Factor for alpha particles?

1. 1

2. 10

3. 20

4. 2

The correct answer is: 20

Alpha particles have a Radiation Weighting Factor of 20, which reflects their potential for biological damage when compared to other types of radiation. The Radiation Weighting Factor is used in radiation protection to quantify the risk associated with different types of radiation, taking into account factors like mass, charge, and energy. Alpha particles are relatively large and carry a double positive charge, which allows them to interact strongly with tissues as they travel a short distance. Their high mass and charge lead to a greater ionization density along their track, resulting in more biological damage per unit of energy deposited, hence the higher weighting factor. In contrast, other forms of radiation, such as beta particles and gamma rays, have lower Radiation Weighting Factors because they interact less intensely with tissue and generally cause less biological harm per unit of energy absorbed. For instance, gamma rays typically have a factor of 1 due to their penetrative power and lower ionization potential. This differentiation in factors is crucial for calculating effective doses and establishing safe radiation exposure levels in medical settings and radiation safety protocols.