AWR 160- module 5 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - the invisible energy emitted by certain types of
unstable (or radioactive) atoms. This energy travels through the air but cannot be seen, felt,
smelled, or tasted. Some radiation can penetrate packaging materials, vehicles, and building
walls.
Radioactive material - CORRECT ANSWER - may be a solid, liquid, or gas. Many of the
types of radioactive material released by terrorists may be in the form of dust or powder. Even
when this radioactive material is properly contained, it emits radiation and may be a hazard. The
release of radioactive material from its container can result in contamination. Radioactive
materials emitting small amounts of radiation are a slight threat to responders and the public.
Other types of radioactive materials emit large and dangerous amounts of radiation.
Radioactive contamination - CORRECT ANSWER - refers to radioactive material in a
place where its presence may be harmful. Some types of contamination may be readily spread
from one surface to another (i.e., radioactive dust), and this is the primary threat posed by a
Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD).
radiation travels - CORRECT ANSWER - in all directions, including upwind. It can travel
distances ranging from 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) to hundreds of feet (meters), depending on the specific
type of radioactive material. The farther the radiation travels, the weaker and less hazardous it
becomes. Guide 163 of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) recommends isolating a
spill, leak, or damaged container of radiological material at least 75 ft. (25 m) in all directions.
Atom - CORRECT ANSWER - An atom is the smallest particle of an element that can
exist either alone or in combination with another element. Atoms are either stable or unstable.
Stable atoms do not spontaneously release energy, but unstable atoms release excess energy in
the form of rays and particles.
Ionizing radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - The energy and subatomic particles emitted
due to the disintegration of the nucleus of an atom results in ionizing radiation. Known as
radioactive decay, ionizing radiation has enough energy to knock electrons from atoms as they
collide or pass nearby. Small amounts of ionizing radiation are tolerable, but large amounts can
, be harmful or deadly to living cells. Anything that emits ionizing radiation in the form of alpha
particles (α), beta particles (β), gamma rays (γ), or neutrons is considered radioactive.
Alpha radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Alpha radiation is particulate material that
quickly loses its energy as it travels through the air. It has limited penetrating power and can be
stopped by clothing or a sheet of paper; therefore, alpha emitters present primarily an ingestion
or inhalation hazard. If ingested or inhaled, they can be absorbed and retained and cause damage
in organs (e.g., kidneys, liver, lungs, and bone).
Beta radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Beta radiation is particulate material that loses
energy more slowly than alpha particles. It travels farther in the air (about 10-15 ft. [3.05-4.57
m]). Materials such as aluminum and other metals, plastic, glass, and clothing stop beta particles.
Beta radiation is a hazard to the eyes and bare skin; skin burns may result from high doses of
beta. If inhaled or ingested, damage to internal organs may occur. Some types of damage may
take years to develop.
Gamma radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Gamma radiation, or gamma ray, is pure
electromagnetic radiation. It can travel hundreds of meters in open air and can only be shielded
by dense materials such as lead or concrete. Gamma radiation can be an internal and external
hazard.
neutrons - CORRECT ANSWER - Neutrons are fundamental particles, without an
electrical charge that are part of the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons are the result of nuclear
fission, and neutron particles are rare. While it might be possible to construct an RDD using
isotopes to emit neutrons, this construction would require terrorists to acquire material that is in
short supply and under strict control.
external exposure - CORRECT ANSWER - External exposure to radiation occurs when it
reaches a person from sources outside the body.
external contamination - CORRECT ANSWER - External contamination occurs when
radiological material is physically attached to a person's skin and/or hair. Everyone and
everything near the release of radiation must be treated as potentially externally contaminated.
This includes individuals, personnel/responders, equipment, papers, and evidence.
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - the invisible energy emitted by certain types of
unstable (or radioactive) atoms. This energy travels through the air but cannot be seen, felt,
smelled, or tasted. Some radiation can penetrate packaging materials, vehicles, and building
walls.
Radioactive material - CORRECT ANSWER - may be a solid, liquid, or gas. Many of the
types of radioactive material released by terrorists may be in the form of dust or powder. Even
when this radioactive material is properly contained, it emits radiation and may be a hazard. The
release of radioactive material from its container can result in contamination. Radioactive
materials emitting small amounts of radiation are a slight threat to responders and the public.
Other types of radioactive materials emit large and dangerous amounts of radiation.
Radioactive contamination - CORRECT ANSWER - refers to radioactive material in a
place where its presence may be harmful. Some types of contamination may be readily spread
from one surface to another (i.e., radioactive dust), and this is the primary threat posed by a
Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD).
radiation travels - CORRECT ANSWER - in all directions, including upwind. It can travel
distances ranging from 0.25 in. (0.64 cm) to hundreds of feet (meters), depending on the specific
type of radioactive material. The farther the radiation travels, the weaker and less hazardous it
becomes. Guide 163 of the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) recommends isolating a
spill, leak, or damaged container of radiological material at least 75 ft. (25 m) in all directions.
Atom - CORRECT ANSWER - An atom is the smallest particle of an element that can
exist either alone or in combination with another element. Atoms are either stable or unstable.
Stable atoms do not spontaneously release energy, but unstable atoms release excess energy in
the form of rays and particles.
Ionizing radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - The energy and subatomic particles emitted
due to the disintegration of the nucleus of an atom results in ionizing radiation. Known as
radioactive decay, ionizing radiation has enough energy to knock electrons from atoms as they
collide or pass nearby. Small amounts of ionizing radiation are tolerable, but large amounts can
, be harmful or deadly to living cells. Anything that emits ionizing radiation in the form of alpha
particles (α), beta particles (β), gamma rays (γ), or neutrons is considered radioactive.
Alpha radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Alpha radiation is particulate material that
quickly loses its energy as it travels through the air. It has limited penetrating power and can be
stopped by clothing or a sheet of paper; therefore, alpha emitters present primarily an ingestion
or inhalation hazard. If ingested or inhaled, they can be absorbed and retained and cause damage
in organs (e.g., kidneys, liver, lungs, and bone).
Beta radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Beta radiation is particulate material that loses
energy more slowly than alpha particles. It travels farther in the air (about 10-15 ft. [3.05-4.57
m]). Materials such as aluminum and other metals, plastic, glass, and clothing stop beta particles.
Beta radiation is a hazard to the eyes and bare skin; skin burns may result from high doses of
beta. If inhaled or ingested, damage to internal organs may occur. Some types of damage may
take years to develop.
Gamma radiation - CORRECT ANSWER - Gamma radiation, or gamma ray, is pure
electromagnetic radiation. It can travel hundreds of meters in open air and can only be shielded
by dense materials such as lead or concrete. Gamma radiation can be an internal and external
hazard.
neutrons - CORRECT ANSWER - Neutrons are fundamental particles, without an
electrical charge that are part of the nucleus of an atom. Neutrons are the result of nuclear
fission, and neutron particles are rare. While it might be possible to construct an RDD using
isotopes to emit neutrons, this construction would require terrorists to acquire material that is in
short supply and under strict control.
external exposure - CORRECT ANSWER - External exposure to radiation occurs when it
reaches a person from sources outside the body.
external contamination - CORRECT ANSWER - External contamination occurs when
radiological material is physically attached to a person's skin and/or hair. Everyone and
everything near the release of radiation must be treated as potentially externally contaminated.
This includes individuals, personnel/responders, equipment, papers, and evidence.
