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Hi, this is Moat. I won't be able to do anything here, really, because as soon as I'm done with this I have to move on to my next project, but I thought I'd run this report by you guys.
As you may have surmised from the title, this is the report I plan to turn in as my Science Fair submission. It's due by the 17th, but I like to have it done early. This accounts for a gigantic part of my grade, so I'd like to have it flawless. I know that nobody here is a radiological expert or anything, but I know that some of you are smarter than I am and I'd like you to take a look at it and check my facts, and whatnot. The rest of you who don't understand diddly about radiation, you're going to help me out too. Your job is to read it and tell me how good of a job I did of explaining what radiation is to those who don't know anything already(because there will be little kids at the Science Fair; it's open to K-12 grade and parents). Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Radiation and radioactivity both occur naturally. Radiation is a form of energy, or rather, in physics, a process of energy, wherein the energy travels through a medium or even through empty space, to be absorbed by another body or substance. There are generally two types of radiation; ionizing radiation and electromagnetic radiation. More on that later. All organisms require some kind of radiation to survive. For example, sunlight is a type of radiation necessary for the survival of plants.
Radioactivity, which is the spontaneous* emission* of energy from elements(not all elements, mind you), released in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves, is a form of radiation. Radioactivity is basically the energy released during the process of ionizing radiation, which is where an electron particle is separated from the nucleus*. The process in which an atom is split is referred to as nuclear fission, not to be confused with nuclear fusion, which is where multiple atoms are combined.
Approximately 80% or more of the radiation that the average human is exposed to comes from natural sources like sunlight, soil, and even types of rocks(such as uranium). Cosmic rays coming from the atmosphere and radon* gas filtering through the soil are also sources of natural radiation. This radiation is referred to as background radiation. It is constantly present and permeates all areas, however the amount of it varies greatly depending on location. Additionally, people are exposed to radiation from sources such as color TVs, microwaves, computer monitors, and X-Rays. These man-made producers account for approximately one-fifth or less of our total radiation exposure. However different they may seem, there is no differential between the effects of natural radiation(like background radiation) and man-made
radiation(such as from smoke detectors).
Electromagnetic waves are created by the movement of electrically charged particles. These waves are also dubbed âelectromagnetic radiationâ because they are radiated by electrically charged particles. They move through space as well as through a medium. Wavelength is the distance between each separate wave. This determines the energy produced, and consequently, the frequency. The electromagnetic spectrum goes as follows(from lowest wavelength to highest): Radio Wave, Microwave, Infrared Wave, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Ray, X-Ray, and Gamma Ray.
There are three common types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, however there are several other types that we will not go into.
Alpha particles have the shortest range. The amount of energy carried is weak; they can travel only short distances of a few inches in the air. In addition, they can be stopped simply by a piece of paper or the outer layer of human skin. Radiation in the form of alpha particles is dangerous only if the radioactive source material itself is swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed into an open wound. In other words, youâre safe unless youâre either a baby or stupid enough to eat radioactive material(not any of you, I hope).
Beta particles are stronger and penetrate deeper than alpha particles. They can travel through air several feet, however their penetration is limited as well as that of an alpha particle. Although they have the ability to go through a page of paper, mediums like a thin layer of aluminum foil or a glass window can stop their advance. Like alpha particles, they are serious when swallowed, inhaled, or ingested in some way.
Gamma rays should sound familiar; theyâre a form of electromagnetic energy, as listed above. They are different from alpha and beta particles(with their relatively short lengths of travel) because gamma rays have much greater ranges of movement and infiltration. They carry more energy than X-rays. This form of radiation requires blockage with materials such as concrete, lead, steel, or water.
A humanâs exposure to radiation is measured in units called millirem. A millirem measures the affect of radiation on the body, comparable to how degrees measure temperature or decibels measure sound. In the U.S., a personâs average exposure to radiation is approximately 360 millirem per year. About 300 millirem of that come from natural sources, whereas only around 60 millirem are products of man-made sources; primarily medical procedures(like an X-ray scan).
*-An asterisk next to a word indicates that you should refer to this table for the definition if you are uncertain about it.
Spontaneous
1: Happening or arising without apparent external cause; self-generated.
2: Arising from natural inclination or impulse and not from external incitement or constraint.
In summation(and in English and my own words): Without influence or provocation. Random and instantaneous, without apparent cause.
Emission
1: The act or instance of emitting.
2: Something emitted.
3: A substance discharged into the air, especially by an internal combustion engine.
In summation(again, in English): Something being released, ejected, or exuded from a source; to emit, or the product of such.
Nucleus
Physics: The positively charged central region of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons and containing almost all of the mass of the atom.
In summation(and in my own words): The center of an atom, comprised of protons and neutrons. Produces a positive charge(whereas electrons produce a negative charge).
Radon
A colorless, radioactive, inert gaseous element formed by the radioactive decay of radium.
In summation: A pretty bland gas and almost undetectable, however highly radioactive. Product of the decay of radium.
Official definitions courtesy of: http://www.thefreedictionary.com
- 3 Replies
Overall, it is pretty good.
There are just a few things..
You seem to like using parantheses. It is a bad habit to fall into when writing academic material, because usually they are unnecesary.
For instance:
The electromagnetic spectrum goes as follows(from lowest wavelength to highest): Radio Wave, Microwave, Infrared Wave, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Ray, X-Ray, and Gamma Ray.
^ That is the correct use.
Radioactivity, which is the spontaneous* emission* of energy from elements(not all elements, mind you),
^ That is not.
It would sound better written like this:
Radioactivity, which is the spontaneous* emission* of energy from certain elements,
A few phrases, such as "Is basically," are peppered throughout your paper. These are not needed and add no information.
You also use the passive voice excessively.
Usually in scientific papers you are supposed to use the passive voice, but this seemed a little more informal. It is really your call.
Here's an example:
Electromagnetic waves are created by the movement of electrically charged particles
Becomes:
The movement of electrically charged particles creates electromagnetic waves.
Did you use Wikipedia? Don't use Wikipedia. Seriously.
Radiation and radioactivity both occur naturally. Radiation is a form of energy, or rather, in physics, a process of energy, wherein the energy travels through a medium or even through empty space, to be absorbed by another body or substance. There are generally two types of radiation; ionizing radiation and electromagnetic radiation. More on that later. All organisms require some kind of radiation to survive. For example, sunlight is a type of radiation necessary for the survival of plants.
There are not "generally two kinds of radiation" There is radiation and there is radiation. Radiation is the propagation of energy in any form from a source. Some forms are ionizing radiation are electromagnetic. The ones that aren't are particles (electrons, protons, neutrons, anti-particles, etc.). There's also acoustic radiation, gravitational radiation, magnetic radiation, but that has little to do with radioactivity.
If your report is on ionizing radiation, leave it at that.
Radioactivity, which is the spontaneous* emission* of energy from elements(not all elements, mind you), released in the form of particles or electromagnetic waves, is a form of radiation. Radioactivity is basically the energy released during the process of ionizing radiation, which is where an electron particle is separated from the nucleus*. The process in which an atom is split is referred to as nuclear fission, not to be confused with nuclear fusion, which is where multiple atoms are combined.
Radioactivity is not a form of radiation. That's a dictionary definition of the second sense, and even then it is not a single form of radiation. It is a process that produces radiation.
Take out basically.
Electrons aren't part of the nucleus. Reword your sentence.
What does nuclear fission have to do with this?
Approximately 80% or more of the radiation that the average human is exposed to comes from natural sources like sunlight, soil, and even types of rocks(such as uranium). Cosmic rays coming from the atmosphere and radon* gas filtering through the soil are also sources of natural radiation. This radiation is referred to as background radiation. It is constantly present and permeates all areas, however the amount of it varies greatly depending on location. Additionally, people are exposed to radiation from sources such as color TVs, microwaves, computer monitors, and X-Rays. These man-made producers account for approximately one-fifth or less of our total radiation exposure. However different they may seem, there is no differential between the effects of natural radiation(like background radiation) and man-made
radiation(such as from smoke detectors).
Cosmic rays don't come from the atmosphere.
Use difference not differential.
Electromagnetic waves are created by the movement of electrically charged particles. These waves are also dubbed �electromagnetic radiation� because they are radiated by electrically charged particles. They move through space as well as through a medium. Wavelength is the distance between each separate wave. This determines the energy produced, and consequently, the frequency. The electromagnetic spectrum goes as follows(from lowest wavelength to highest): Radio Wave, Microwave, Infrared Wave, Visible Light, Ultraviolet Ray, X-Ray, and Gamma Ray.
Electromagnetic waves are caused by the loss of energy of
Wavelength is not the distance between each separate wave. It is the distance between the two closest points of the same phase in a wave.
Wavelength does not determine the energy produced or the frequency. Reword it. It is true that for a given wavelength there is a fixed frequency and energy, but the way it is written seems to suggest other things.
Wavelengths are not low to high. They are long to short.
There are three common types of radiation: alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays, however there are several other types that we will not go into.
What definition of radiation are you using here?
Alpha particles have the shortest range. The amount of energy carried is weak; they can travel only short distances of a few inches in the air. In addition, they can be stopped simply by a piece of paper or the outer layer of human skin. Radiation in the form of alpha particles is dangerous only if the radioactive source material itself is swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed into an open wound. In other words, you�re safe unless you�re either a baby or stupid enough to eat radioactive material(not any of you, I hope).
Energy is not "weak". It is low to high.
Define alpha particles.
Beta particles are stronger and penetrate deeper than alpha particles. They can travel through air several feet, however their penetration is limited as well as that of an alpha particle. Although they have the ability to go through a page of paper, mediums like a thin layer of aluminum foil or a glass window can stop their advance. Like alpha particles, they are serious when swallowed, inhaled, or ingested in some way.
Define beta particles.
Your last sentence is confusing the subject of the penultimate sentence of the previous paragraph as it should refer to a radioactive substance and not alpha particles.
Gamma rays should sound familiar; they�re a form of electromagnetic energy, as listed above. They are different from alpha and beta particles(with their relatively short lengths of travel) because gamma rays have much greater ranges of movement and infiltration. They carry more energy than X-rays. This form of radiation requires blockage with materials such as concrete, lead, steel, or water.
Reqrite the entire opening sentence.
Use shielding instead of blockage.
A human�s exposure to radiation is measured in units called millirem. A millirem measures the affect of radiation on the body, comparable to how degrees measure temperature or decibels measure sound. In the U.S., a person�s average exposure to radiation is approximately 360 millirem per year. About 300 millirem of that come from natural sources, whereas only around 60 millirem are products of man-made sources; primarily medical procedures(like an X-ray scan).
I should know these numbers, but I don't. This looks bad for me.
Effect, not affect. Millirems don't measure the effect anyway. It is a unit for measuring doses of radiation, i.e. how much radiation your body has absorbed, not what happens because of it.
*-An asterisk next to a word indicates that you should refer to this table for the definition if you are uncertain about it.
Spontaneous
1: Happening or arising without apparent external cause; self-generated.
2: Arising from natural inclination or impulse and not from external incitement or constraint.
In summation(and in English and my own words): Without influence or provocation. Random and instantaneous, without apparent cause.
Emission
1: The act or instance of emitting.
2: Something emitted.
3: A substance discharged into the air, especially by an internal combustion engine.
In summation(again, in English): Something being released, ejected, or exuded from a source; to emit, or the product of such.
These are not the scientific definitions or even working definitions of the scientific definitions! D: (Working definitions are as you understand it and should be understandable to the lay person.)
Spontaneity is a thermodynamic concept. I suggest looking up the definition in a chemistry textbook of some sort.
Nucleus
Physics: The positively charged central region of an atom, composed of protons and neutrons and containing almost all of the mass of the atom.
In summation(and in my own words): The center of an atom, comprised of protons and neutrons. Produces a positive charge(whereas electrons produce a negative charge).
Radon
A colorless, radioactive, inert gaseous element formed by the radioactive decay of radium.
In summation: A pretty bland gas and almost undetectable, however highly radioactive. Product of the decay of radium.
Official definitions courtesy of: http://www.thefreedictionary.com
You're just repeating the definition for the atomic nucleus. Just stick with your working definition of these terms.
Whether or not it's a bland gas is subjective. Subjectivity does not belong there.
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Never use second person. It is commanding and informal.
Never use first person. Also informal.
Use third person.
Unless it's supposed to be fun and all but it may come off as condescending.
*writes down note to self about posting homework here before submitting...*
Oh wait, then my teachers might use Google and I could get in trouble...
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