Question

Name two main sources of nuclear radiations. How are these radiations harmful?

Answer 1

i) cosmic radiation :- Cosmic rays are mostly protons but can be other particles or wave energy. Some ionizing radiation will penetrate the earth's atmosphere and become absorbed by humans, which results in natural radiation exposure

ii) terrestrial radiation:- The composition of the earth's crust is a major source of natural radiation. The main contributors are natural deposits of uranium, potassium and thorium which, in the process of natural decay, will release small amounts of ionizing radiation.

Traces of these minerals are also found in building materials so exposure to natural radiation can occur from indoors as well as outdoors.