Nuclear TechnologyMacKenzie DoylePd. 7

Nothing is clear, like Nuclear

Home smoke detectors contain radioactive materials• TRUE• In the average sized detector there is 1 millionth

of a curie• As long as radioactivity stays in detector radiation

is negligible

All radiation causes cancer• FALSE• Only some like radon radiation therapy, x-ray,

gamma ray, microwaves, cell phones and cellphone towers

Are x-rays bad for you• TRUE• Some patients began getting illnesses form the

ionizing radiation

Radioactive materials and radiation are unnatural- they exist on earth until created

• FALSE• Radioactive materials were created long before

scientists started messing with them

Human senses detect radiation• FALSE• Most formed by lab instruments• Most common instruments: Geiger Counter, with

Geiger-Mueller (GM) Tube or Probe

Individuals vary widely concerning how they’re affected by exposure to radiation• TRUE• Individuals vary in physical structure, color,

intellectual ability, social behavior, in temperament and outlook in perspective as well as thought.

Small amounts of matter change to immense quantities of energy released by nuclear weapons

• TRUE • Each fission releases about 200 MeV of energy.

Physicians can distinguish cancer caused by radiation exposure from cancer resulting from other cancers• FALSE• You can’t discover the cause of cancer by looking

at the cells

Nuclear power plants create serious hazards to public health and the environment

• BOTH• If the plant is properly working with all the safety

requirements there is very little to worry about• Its usually only dangerous if it isn't functioning

properly

An improperly operated nuclear power plant can explode like a nuclear weapon• FALSE• They wont explode like a bomb but many

dangerous hazards are at risk

Some nuclear wastes must be stored for centuries to prevent dangerous radioactivity from escaping• TRUE• Some radioactive waste like spent nuclear fuel

remain highly radioactive for thousands of years

New dangerous elements are being invented everyday• FALSE• It has been years since a new element has been

added to the periodic table

Nuclear power plants produce material that could be converted into nuclear weapons

• TRUE• Nuclear power plants can produce material that

can be converted to nuclear weapons

All nuclear medical techniques are highly dangerous• FALSE • Some are dangerous but if done correctly it can

be totally safe