ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

A specific gamma ray constant can be defined as what?

1. Radiation dose absorbed by a person

2. Exposure rate per curie at a specific distance

3. Amount of shielding required

4. Radiation exposure over time

The correct answer is: Exposure rate per curie at a specific distance

A specific gamma ray constant is defined as the exposure rate per curie at a specific distance from a gamma radiation source. This is a fundamental concept in radiation safety and dosimetry, as it quantifies how much exposure a person would receive from a gamma radiation source based on its activity measured in curies and the distance from the source. It assists in estimating the radiation levels in specific situations involving gamma-emitting isotopes. This constant is crucial for radiographers and safety professionals, as it provides a clear metric to calculate exposure levels that can be expected in various environments and operational scenarios. By using the specific gamma ray constant, professionals can determine the necessary precautions and safety measures to protect themselves and others from hazardous radiation exposure while performing industrial radiography tasks. The other options do not accurately describe the specific gamma ray constant: the radiation dose absorbed by a person depends on various factors beyond just the exposure rate; the amount of shielding required varies based on multiple parameters, including type and energy of radiation; and radiation exposure over time is not a constant but rather a variable that depends on both the source strength and duration of exposure.