Questions about Background Radiation
Background Radiation – Multiple Choice Questions
1. What is background radiation?
A) Radiation from medical equipment only
B) Radiation from nuclear power plants
C) Radiation that comes from natural and artificial sources present in the environment
D) Radiation found only in outer space
E) Radiation released during chemical reactions
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2. Which of the following is a natural source of background radiation?
A) MRI scans
B) Mobile phones
C) Cosmic rays
D) Nuclear accidents
E) Light bulbs
3. Which of these contributes most to background radiation in most environments?
A) X-rays
B) Nuclear weapons
C) Cosmic rays
D) Radon gas
E) Cellphones
4. Radon gas primarily enters buildings through:
A) Walls
B) Roofs
C) Soil and rocks beneath the building
D) Windows
E) Drinking water
5. Which type of background radiation comes from outer space?
A) Alpha radiation
B) Beta radiation
C) Cosmic radiation
D) Terrestrial radiation
E) Gamma from radon
6. Which of the following is not a source of background radiation?
A) Banana
B) Building materials
C) Air travel
D) Solar panels
E) Rocks
7. Why are airline flight crews exposed to more background radiation?
A) They are near nuclear reactors
B) They fly higher where cosmic radiation is stronger
C) Planes emit radiation
D) They fly near the sun
E) The food on planes is radioactive
8. Background radiation is measured in which unit?
A) Decibels
B) Liters
C) Sieverts or millisieverts
D) Newtons
E) Moles
9. What is the typical average annual dose of background radiation per person?
A) 0.0001 Sv
B) 1–3 mSv
C) 10–20 Sv
D) 50 mSv
E) 0 Sv
10. Which natural element is a major contributor to internal background radiation in the human body?
A) Oxygen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon-14
D) Calcium
E) Iron
11. Which of these human activities increases background radiation levels?
A) Breathing
B) Swimming
C) Medical imaging
D) Reading
E) Sleeping
12. Background radiation levels are higher in granite areas because granite contains:
A) Iron
B) Uranium
C) Gold
D) Sulfur
E) Calcium
13. Where is background radiation likely to be the highest?
A) Beach
B) Forest
C) Mountains
D) Underground bunker
E) Desert
14. Why do bananas contribute to background radiation?
A) They are exposed to X-rays
B) They are grown near uranium
C) They contain potassium-40
D) Their peel absorbs cosmic rays
E) Their seeds are radioactive
15. Which statement is true about background radiation?
A) It can be completely avoided
B) It is only caused by humans
C) It has always existed on Earth
D) It comes only from outer space
E) It is only found in cities
16. Which of these detectors is commonly used to measure background radiation?
A) Thermometer
B) Barometer
C) Geiger-Müller counter
D) Compass
E) Manometer
17. What does an increase in background radiation suggest?
A) Presence of water
B) Increased oxygen levels
C) Possible radioactive contamination or altitude change
D) Lower temperatures
E) Increased noise
18. Which of these contributes least to background radiation?
A) Cosmic rays
B) Medical procedures
C) Nuclear testing
D) Household plants
E) Radon gas
19. Why is background radiation a concern in nuclear experiments?
A) It causes static electricity
B) It may interfere with results and measurements
C) It makes water radioactive
D) It breaks thermometers
E) It lowers battery power
20. What is the most common natural source of background radiation in homes?
A) Fluorescent lights
B) Wooden floors
C) Radon gas from the ground
D) Cellphone towers
E) Tap water
Answer Key with Extended Explanations
1. C – Background radiation includes all natural and artificial radiation constantly present in our environment.
2. C – Cosmic rays from space are a natural source of radiation.
3. D – Radon gas, naturally released from rocks and soil, contributes most to background radiation.
4. C – Radon seeps up from the soil and can enter through floors and basements.
5. C – Cosmic radiation comes from outer space and contributes to background levels on Earth.
6. D – Solar panels do not emit radiation; the others are minor sources.
7. B – At higher altitudes, the atmosphere is thinner, so cosmic radiation is less shielded.
8. C – Radiation doses are measured in sieverts (Sv) or more commonly millisieverts (mSv).
9. B – The average background dose is approximately 1–3 mSv per year.
10. C – Carbon-14 is naturally present in the body and contributes to internal radiation.
11. C – Procedures like X-rays and CT scans increase one’s radiation dose.
12. B – Granite contains small amounts of uranium, which increases radiation exposure.
13. C – Higher altitudes have less atmospheric shielding from cosmic rays.
14. C – Bananas contain potassium-40, a naturally radioactive isotope.
15. C – Background radiation has existed since Earth’s formation.
16. C – Geiger counters are commonly used to detect and measure radiation.
17. C – Elevated background radiation may indicate contamination or higher altitudes.
18. D – Household plants do not emit radiation unless contaminated.
19. B – Background radiation must be accounted for during precise radiation experiments.
20. C – Radon gas buildup from soil is a common source in homes, especially in basements.
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