ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Which of the following has a quality factor of 20?

1. Beta particles

2. Alpha particles

3. X-rays

4. Gamma rays

The correct answer is: Alpha particles

The quality factor is a dimensionless factor used in radiation protection to account for the different biological effects of various types of radiation. This factor is crucial because it helps convert absorbed doses of radiation into equivalent doses, which are more meaningful for assessing biological risk. Alpha particles are known to have a high quality factor because they are highly ionizing and can cause significant biological damage when interacting with living tissue. Specifically, the quality factor for alpha particles is typically set at 20 in radiation protection contexts. This high value reflects the alpha particles' ability to cause extensive damage to cellular structures due to their mass and charge. In contrast, beta particles, X-rays, and gamma rays generally have lower quality factors. This is because beta particles, though harmful, are less ionizing than alpha particles. X-rays and gamma rays, which are forms of electromagnetic radiation, have even lower quality factors due to their penetration ability and lower ionization density. Understanding the quality factors associated with different types of radiation is essential for establishing safety protocols in industrial radiography and ensuring that workers are adequately protected from the risks associated with exposure to ionizing radiation.