1. What is the Radiation Dose Equation?

The Radiation Dose Equation calculates the exposure to radiation based on the activity of the radioactive source, exposure time, and distance from the source. It follows the inverse square law for radiation intensity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the radiation dose equation:

Where:

• \( Activity \) — Radioactive source activity in Becquerels (Bq)
• \( Time \) — Exposure time in seconds (s)
• \( Distance \) — Distance from source in meters (m)

Explanation: The equation shows that radiation dose is directly proportional to the activity and exposure time, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source.

3. Importance of Radiation Dose Calculation

Details: Accurate radiation dose estimation is crucial for radiation safety, determining exposure limits, and protecting workers in nuclear medicine and radiography.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter activity in Bq, time in seconds, and distance in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for the calculation?
A: The calculator uses SI units: Becquerels (Bq) for activity, seconds (s) for time, and meters (m) for distance.

Q2: Does this equation account for shielding?
A: No, this basic equation doesn't account for shielding materials between the source and the subject.

Q3: What is a safe radiation dose?
A: For occupational exposure, the limit is typically 50 mSv/year. For public exposure, it's 1 mSv/year above background.

Q4: Are there limitations to this equation?
A: This is a simplified calculation that assumes a point source and doesn't account for factors like shielding, source geometry, or energy spectrum.

Q5: How does distance affect radiation exposure?
A: Radiation exposure decreases with the square of the distance from the source (inverse square law).