Energy transfer by radiation

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons,

identical to the nucleus of a helium atom
atom. A sheet of paper
or a person's surface layer of skin will stop them. Alpha
particles are only considered hazardous to a person's health
if they are ingested or inhaled and thus come into contact
with sensitive cells such as in the lungs,
lungs liver and bones.
bones
Beta particles are electrons emitted from the nuclei of many
fission products. They can travel a few feet in air but can
usually be stopped by clothing or a few centimeters of wood.
They are considered hazardous mainly if ingested or
inhaled, but can cause radiation damage to the skin if the
exposure is large enough.
Neutrons which are contained in the nucleus of an atom can
be expelled during fission. They interact weakly with matter
and are very penetrating - not easy to stop. Neutron
radiation typically occurs inside nuclear reactors but water
and concrete provide effective shielding
shielding.
Gamma rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation (like
light, radio, and television) that come from the nucleus of a
radioactive atom. They penetrate matter easily and are best
stopped by water or thick layers of lead or concrete. Gamma
radiation is hazardous to people inside and outside of the
body.
 Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is
used to fight many
types of cancer
cancer.
Radiation targets
rapidly dividing cells
like cancer cells.
Radiation prevents cell
division and the
Cobalt-60 (Co-60 or 60Co) is a
replication of DNA (the radioactive metal that is used in
radiotherapy. It produces two gamma
genetic building rays with energies of 1.17 MeV and
1.33 MeV.
blocks).
 Effects of heat on the body
oC
Heat transferred into or out of the body and
thermal energy generated by the body itself 40
can cause temperature changes. Normal
bodyy temperatures
p fall into a narrow range.
g If
body temperature becomes too high or too 39
low, significant irreversible damage, even
death, can occur. One serious problem with
the body
body's
s temperature-regulating
temperature regulating mechanism 38
is that cell metabolism increases with
increasing temperature. Increased Usual
metabolism g generates more than normal range of 37
amounts of body heat, and this can cause normal
temperature to increase further. A vicious
circle results because the increased body 36
temperature further speeds metabolism and
the production of body heat. If body
temperature rises above about 42°C 35
((108°F),) the body'sy cooling g mechanisms Forced convection, blood flow to
cannot keep up, and external intervention, h skin,
the ki then
h Qconv + Qcond + Qrad
such as an alcohol rub, is necessary. assuming the surrounding
temperature is lower.
 Problem
• How many grams of of alcohol must be
evaporated from the surface of a 70 kg
person to reduce his temperature by
1.5°C?
 Problem
How much will the temperature of a cyclist (speed
( d
15 km/hr) increase in an hour if none of the body
heat is lost to the surroundings?
(mass cyclist = 76kg, specific heat = 0.83cal /g.oC, rate of energy
consumption (cyclist 15 km/hr) = 400W, Efficiency = 20%,
1cal=4.186J

Pheat = Pin – Pout -> Pheat = Q/t

Q = s.m.T
 Diagnostic and therapeutic
uses off heat
h t and
d cold
ld

Cryosurgery (cryotherapy) is the application of extreme

cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue.
• Warts, moles, skin tags, solar keratoses, and small skin cancers
are candidates for cryosurgical treatment. Some internal
disorders are also treated with cryosurgery,
cryosurgery including liver
cancer, prostate cancer, cervical disorders and, more commonly
in the past, hemorrhoids. Although found to be effective, this
method of treatment is only appropriate for use against localized
diseases with no metastasis.
• Cryosurgery works by taking advantage of the destructive force
of freezing temperatures on cells. At low temperatures, ice
crystals form inside the cells, which can tear them apart. More
damageg occurs when blood vessels supplying
pp y g the diseased
tissue freeze.
 Microwave or Radio Diathermy
y

• In the natural sciences,

sciences the term diathermy means
"electrically induced heat" and is commonly used for
muscle relaxation. It is also a method of heatingg tissue
electromagnetically or ultrasonically for therapeutic
purpose
• Electro-surgery and surgical diathermy involve the use of
high frequency A.C. electrical current in surgery as either
a cutting modality
modality, or else to cauterize small blood
vessels to stop bleeding. This technique induces
localized tissue burning and damage, the zone of which
is controlled by the frequency and power of the device.
 Thermography

radiation

Any body with a temperature

greater than absolute zero emits
heat by radiation. The amount off
heat radiated per unit time depends
very strongly on temperature:
Q / t    e  A T 4
σ  5.67x10 8 J/sec  m 2  K 4
e  emmisivity
i i i (value
( l between
b 0 and
d 1)
black surfaces have an emmisivity close to 1
 Next Lecture
• To Be Covered: Waves and sound