The Dangers of Radioactivity

Edexcel A-level PhysicsRadioactivityLesson 9 of 25

Ionising radiation such as u.v., X-rays, gamma rays and alpha and beta particles, damages living cells by damaging membranes, damaging DNA, creating free radicals which react with vital molecules. If DNA is damages, cells may divide uncontrollably causing potentially cancerous tumours. If the mutation is in a sex cell, the mutation will be passed on to many generations. High doses of radiation kill living cells, high and low doses increase the risk of cancer and there is no safe dose.

More in Radioactivity

• Geiger Tube
• The nature of α, β and γ Radiation.
• Gamma radiation
• Radioactive Change
• Background Radiation
• Radioactive Decay and Half-life
• Activity
• Radioactive Decay

All 25 lessons in Radioactivity · All Edexcel A-level Physics topics