Video Transcript
Which of the following statements correctly states the ability of protective clothing
to reduce dangers from exposure to nuclear waste? (A) Protective clothing can absorb all of the nuclear radiation emitted by the
waste. (B) Protective clothing can absorb some of the radiation emitted by the waste. Or (C) protective clothing cannot absorb any of the radiation emitted by the
waste.
Here, we’re being asked about how well protective clothing can protect somebody from
nuclear radiation. Before we answer, let’s first review some basic principles of nuclear radiation and
the danger posed by nuclear waste. When an unstable atomic nucleus decays, it emits nuclear radiation in the form of
particles and electromagnetic waves. An object which contains a lot of unstable nuclei is said to be radioactive. Radioactive uranium rods are used as fuel in nuclear reactors. Once they’ve been used, they must be disposed of. Used uranium fuel rods are a type of nuclear waste. Even after they’ve been used, nuclear fuel rods remain highly radioactive.
Radiation can be really dangerous. So, to protect people from radioactive waste, we often encapsulate it within special
materials designed to absorb radiation. And we then store it in strong and clearly marked containers. However, these containers still release radiation that’s highly dangerous to people
who work in nuclear facilities. So, people who work with nuclear waste wear protective clothing. This typically consists of a full-body suit and a mask that covers the user’s
face. This protective clothing has two roles. Firstly, it physically blocks small particles of radioactive material from reaching
the wearer and contaminating them. It also stops some of the radiation itself from reaching them.
Here, it’s worth remembering that the types of radiation emitted by nuclear waste
cannot be reflected by protective clothing. This means that the only way protective clothing can protect the wearer from nuclear
radiation is by absorbing it.
Option (C) says that protective clothing cannot absorb any of the radiation emitted
by the waste. We know that this can’t be the right answer. If it didn’t absorb any radiation, it wouldn’t offer the wearer any protection, so
there’d be no point wearing it.
Now, option (A) suggests that the protective clothing protects the wearer by
absorbing all of the radiation emitted by the waste. Unfortunately, this is not true either. This is simply because the radiation from nuclear waste can pass through most
materials. 𝛾 rays, in particular, are a type of radiation which can only be stopped by very
thick layers of dense material like concrete and lead. And even then, some 𝛾 rays will get through. So, option (A) is not the correct answer either.
In fact, protective clothing for nuclear applications is made to absorb as much
radiation as is practically possible to provide some level of protection to the
user. So, the correct answer is option (B). Protective clothing can absorb some of the radiation emitted by nuclear waste.
