An 85-kg person exposed to barium-141 receives 2.5 × 10⁵ $\beta$ particles, each with an energy of 5.2 × 10^-13 J. How many rads does the person receive?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To calculate the rads received, we need to first calculate the absorbed dose in joules/kg (J/kg) using the formula:

absorbed dose = (number of particles)(energy per particle)/(mass of person)

absorbed dose = (2.5 × 10^15)(5.2 × 10^-13)/(85)

absorbed dose = 1.5 × 10^-7 J/kg

Then, to convert J/kg to rads, we use the conversion factor of 1 rad = 0.01 J/kg:

absorbed dose in rads = (1.5 × 10^-7)/(0.01)

absorbed dose in rads = 1.5 × 10^-5 rad

The closest answer choice to this value is B, 1.5 × 10^-7 rad.

An 85-Kg Person Exposed to Barium-141 Receives 2 β\betaβ Particles, Each with an Energy of 5

An 85-Kg Person Exposed to Barium-141 Receives 2 $\beta$ Particles, Each with an Energy of 5