A medical researcher wishes to compare the tissue damage produced by slow neutrons, which have a relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 2.2, to that produced by fast neutrons with an RBE of 8.8. For the slow neutrons, the absorbed dose is 560 rd. What absorbed dose (in rd) of fast neutrons will produce the same biologically equivalent dose (in rem) as that for the slow neutrons?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the absorbed dose of fast neutrons that produces the same biologically equivalent dose, use the formula: Equivalent dose (rem) = Absorbed dose (rd) × RBE. For slow neutrons: 560 rd × 2.2 = 1232 rem. For fast neutrons: Absorbed dose × 8.8 = 1232 rem. Solving for the absorbed dose gives 1232 / 8.8 = 140 rd.

A Medical Researcher Wishes to Compare the Tissue Damage Produced