Practice Exam 2 5a and 5b

Delft University of Technology
Faculty of Applied Sciences

Reactor Institute Delft
National Centre for Radiation Protection
Department of Education Delft
Practice exam 2, Health Physics Level 5A & 5B
Multiple choice exam
Time available: 100 minutes
Instructions
-
Circle the letter (a, b, c or d) accompanying the answer that is to your opinion correct or is the most
complete answer.
Only one answer per question is correct / the most complete.
If nothing is mentioned about the source, consider it to be a point source.
The use of a calculator and a dictionary during this practice exam is allowed.
Every question answered correctly will be credited with 2 points.
Totally 100 points can be earned when answering all questions correctly.
To pass the exam it is necessary to score at least 66 points (so to pass, you have to answer
33 questions correctly.).
You can find the answers on the last page (14).
Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B
-1-
2008
1.
A characteristic of a radioactive nuclide is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
A 1106 Bq source decays in 20 weeks to 1103 Bq. The half life of this nuclide is approximately:
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
the
the
the
the
penetrating power.
energy spectrum.
radiation weighting factor.
ionisation density per centimeter.
an excited state of the nucleus.

the ground state of the nucleus.
a lower energy state of the nucleus.
a lower, unstable energy state of the nucleus.
Isotopes are atoms:

a)
b)
c)
d)
6.
week.
weeks.
weeks.
weeks.
During -emission there is always a nuclear transformation from a higher energy state to:
a)
b)
c)
d)
5.
1
2
3
4
A difference between -particles and conversion electrons is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
4.
the number of unstable nuclei.

the half life.
the half value thickness.
the risk of contamination.
with the same number of neutrons, but a different number of protons.

with equal mass, but a difference in the proton/neutron ratio.
with the same number of protons.
that emit radiation due to instability of the nucleus.
+-emission is an alternative for:

a)
b)
c)
d)
the emission of two 511 keV photons.

the emission of characteristic X-rays.
the formation of a neutrino.
electron capture.
-2-
2008
7.
The radioactive nuclide 28Al has a half life of 135 seconds. What is (approximately) the activity of a
piece of aluminium containing 1013 atoms of the 28Al isotope?
a)
b)
c)
d)
8.
During which of the following nuclear processes the charge of the nucleus does not change?
a)
b)
c)
d)
9.
10.
2109 Bq.
7109 Bq.
51010 Bq.
51012 Bq.
-decay.
electron capture.
-emission.
positron emission.
Uranium-233 ( 233
92 U ) decays by -emission. What is the decay product?
a)
229
90
Th .
b)
231
90
Th
c)
231
91
Ac .
d)
233
91
Ac .
A part of the Chart of the Nuclides is printed underneath:
Cl 31
Cl 32
Cl 33
Cl 34
Cl 35
150 ms
291 ms
2.51 s
1.53 s
75.77
S 30
S 31
S 32
S 33
S 34
1.18 s
2.58 s
95.02
0.75
4.21
P 29
P 30
P 31
P 32
P 33
4.1 s
2.50 m
100
14.26 d
25.34 d
Si 28
Si 29
Si 30
Si 31
Si 32
92.23
4.67
3.10
2.62 h
172 a
Which of the following nuclides can decay through electron capture?

a)
b)
c)
d)
Cl-35.
Cl-33.
P-31.
P-32.
-3-
2008
11.
The radiation emitted by an X-ray tube consists predominantly of:

a)
b)
c)
d)
12.
The interaction of 1 MeV -radiation with concrete is dominated by:

a)
b)
c)
d)
13.
Compton effect.
photoelectric effect.
pair forming effect.
bremsstrahlung effect.
shielding the source with 20 mm of lead.

shielding the source with 15 mm of lead and doubling the distance.
shielding the source with 5 mm of lead and tripling the distance.
increasing the distance to 4 meters.
The half value thickness is a concept used to indicate the working of shielding material for:
a)
b)
c)
d)
15.
the
the
the
the
-radiation with an energy of 0.6 MeV is absorbed for 50% by 5 mm of lead. The largest reduction in
intensity at 1 meter from a point source is realised by:
a)
b)
c)
d)
14.
-particles.
fast electrons.
characteristic X-rays from anode and filter.
bremsstrahlung.
bremsstrahlung.
-radiation.
all types of ionising photon radiation.
mono-energetic electron radiation.
The range in air ( = 1.310-3 g/cm3) of -particles emitted by the nuclide 90Y (E, max = 2.3 MeV) is
approximately:
a)
b)
c)
d)
1.2
4.4
8.8
12
meters.
meters.
meters.
meters.
-4-
2008
16.
A radionuclide emits 2 different energies of -radiation: 1 is 10 keV and 2 is 2 MeV. Regarding the
interactions in equally thick layers of water and lead, one can predict that:
a)
b)
c)
d)
17.
lead more photo interactions than Compton effect.

water more photo interaction than in lead.
lead more photo interactions than Compton effect.
water more photo interaction than in lead.
the
the
the
the
activity of the source.

thickness of the shielding material.
photon energy.
type of shielding material.
A lead wall of 1,000 g/cm2.

A layer of water of 1,000 g/cm2.
A concrete wall of 1,000 g/cm2.
All three provide a very similar attenuation.
As a result of interactions of ionising radiation with matter, photons can be generated.

Which type of photon radiation occurring as secondary radiation is always of the same energy,
independent of the interaction material?
a)
b)
c)
d)
20.
in
in
in
in
Which shielding provides the largest attenuation of a narrow beam of 2 MeV -radiation?
a)
b)
c)
d)
19.
causes
causes
causes
causes
When a broad beam of gamma radiation is shielded, build-up will occur. The magnitude of this buildup is NOT depending on:
a)
b)
c)
d)
18.
2
1
1
2
Compton photons.
bremsstrahlung.
characteristic X-rays.
annihilation photons.
The path of -particles in air is not straight, unlike the path of -particles which is mostly in a straight
line. This difference is predominantly caused by:
a)
b)
c)
d)
the formation of bremsstrahlung.

the difference in electrical charge.
differences in kinetic energy.
the difference in mass.
-5-
2008
21.
Which of the following detectors is least applicable to record a spectrum of charged particle radiation?
a)
b)
c)
d)
22.
A 10.8 kBq -source (at February 12, 2006) is used to calibrate an experimental set-up. The T1/2 of
this nuclide is 98 years. The calibration is performed at March 12, 2006. The net count rate of this
measurement is 5,000 counts in 35 seconds.
The counting efficiency of this measurement is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
23.
low energy -radiation (E-, max smaller than 80 eV).

high energy -radiation (E larger than 1 MeV).
high energy -radiation (E-, max smaller than 0.2 MeV).
-radiation (E = 5 MeV).
The biological damage caused by 1 gray -radiation is compared with 1 gray -radiation in the same
type of human tissue. The damage caused by the -radiation is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
25.
0.21%.
1.3%.
7.6%.
46%.
A GM-tube is used as a contamination monitor mostly for:

a)
b)
c)
d)
24.
ionisation chamber.
proportional counter.
Geiger-Mller counter.
liquid scintillation counter.
more serious compared to the damage caused by the -radiation.

less serious compared to the damage caused by the -radiation.
equally serious as the damage caused by the -radiation.
incomparable with the damage caused by the -radiation, because s are not particles.
The radiation weighting factor for -radiation is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
1.
5.
10.
20.
-6-
2008
26.
Exposure to external radiation can lead to damaging of the bone marrow. This effect will be the
largest if exposed to:
a)
b)
c)
d)
27.
Which of the following biological effects of radiation is a late somatic effect?

a)
b)
c)
d)
28.
Irreversible hair loss and erythema (redness of the skin).

Permanent sterility.
Increased chance of cancer and hereditary effects.
All of the above.
The yearly effective dose limit of non-exposed workers within a location is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
30.
tumour formation.
erythema (redness of the skin).
irreversible hair loss.
malformations in the offspring.
Which effect(s) can occur after years of exposure to effective doses of severals tens of mSv per year?
a)
b)
c)
d)
29.
-radiation.
-radiation.
hard -radiation.
X-rays from an X-ray tube set at 120 kV.
0.2 mSv.
1 mSv.
20 mSv.
50 mSv.
The application of 241Am sources (approx. 37 kBq) in ionisation smoke detectors for public use is not
allowed anymore because there is also an optical system available to detect smoke accurately.
Which of the following statements is correct?
a)
b)
c)
d)
The effective dose caused by a year long exposure to such a source exceeded the yearly dose
limit of the public.
This is a good example of the ALARA-principle.
This is a good example of the justification-principle.
Old ionisation smoke detectors can be disposed of as normal household waste.
-7-
2008
31.
What is a task of the IAEA?

a)
b)
c)
d)
32.
The legal yearly dose limits for exposed workers in the Netherlands can be found in:
a)
b)
c)
d)
33.
12 times as large.
8 times as large.
6 times as large.
4 times as large.
The intensity of a beam of -photons, emitted by a point source, is:

a)
b)
c)
d)
36.
for external irradiation of persons in general.

only when irradiated by -sources.
exclusively for the protection against internal contamination.
except when using X-rays.
To decrease the dose rate to 1/64 part, you will have to make the distance:
a)
b)
c)
d)
35.
the Nuclear Energy Act (Kernenergiewet, Kew).

publication ICRP-60.
the Decree Radiation Protection (Besluit stralingsbescherming, Bs).
the Work Environment Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet, Arbo).
The three basic principles of radiation protection (time, shielding and distance) are valid:
a)
b)
c)
d)
34.
checking the presence of licences in nuclear installations.

writing international legislation concerning nuclear energy.
publicating reports about radiation protection.
developing new quantities and units in the field of health physics.
proportional to the squared distance.

proportional to the distance.
inversely proportional to the distance.
inversely proportional to the squared distance.
In a -spectrum the so-called photo peaks are characteristic for:

a)
b)
c)
d)
positron-emission.
the decaying nuclide.
the emitted X-rays.
the emitted Auger-electrons.
-8-
2008
37.
The thin window of the holder of a radioactive source is positioned at 10 cm distance of the source.
During cleaning, the hands of the operator almost touch the window. The activity of the source is
1109 Bq and it only emits -radiation with a maximal energy of 1 MeV.
If the cleaning takes 6 minutes, the equivalent dose on the hands of the operator is:
a)
b)
c)
d)
38.
Which of the following cases leads to the largest dose caused by exposure to an external source?
The duration of the exposure is in all cases the same, the distance is 1 meter and the density of the
air is 1.310-3 g/cm3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
39.
10
10
10
10
GBq --source, E-, max = 0.1 MeV.

MBq --source, E-, max = 0.5 MeV.
kBq --source, E-, max = 1.0 MeV.
GBq -source, E = 5 MeV.
0
1.5
88.8
55.5
mGy/h.
mGy/h.
mGy/h.
Gy/h.
An unshielded 192 MBq -source (E = 141 keV) at 1 meter distance in air causes an absorbed dose
rate of:
a)
b)
c)
d)
41.
A
A
A
A
What is a safe but realistic estimate of the absorbed dose rate in air at 150 cm distance from a
-emitting point source of 2.221010 dpm if the source is positioned freely in air and not generating any
bremsstrahlung? The average energy of the -spectrum is 400 keV, the density of air is 1.310-3 g/cm3.
a)
b)
c)
d)
40.
30 mSv.
90 mSv.
270 mSv.
90 Sv.
0
35
384
1.7
Gy/h.
Gy/h.
Gy/h.
mGy/h.
When working with an unshielded -source, one receives the lowest dose:
a)
b)
c)
d)
at
at
at
at
2 meters distance during 4.5 minutes.

1.5 meters distance during 2,5 minutes.
1 meter distance during 45 seconds.
0.5 meter distance during 15 seconds.
-9-
2008
42.
Observe the following graph describing the dose rate in a gamma ray beam shielded with increasing
thicknesses of copper (Z = 29). The used source is Cs-137 (E = 662 keV) and the distance to the dose
rate meter is 1.2 meter.
gemeten dosistempo
(microGy/h)
measured
dose rate [Gy/h]
100
10
0,1
0
thickness
copper
dikte koper
(cm)[cm]
Which of the following statements is correct?
a)
b)
c)
d)
43.
A broad beam of photon radiation is measured and the half value thickness is 1 cm.
A narrow beam of photon radiation is measured and the attenuation coefficient is 0.69 cm-1.
The activity of the source is 10 MBq.
If aluminium (Z = 13) was used as shielding material, the dose rate would have decreased faster.
Americium-241 emits both 5,5 MeV -radiation and 60 keV -radiation. The equivalent dose rate
constant = 0.017 Svm2MBq1h1.
What is the received equivalent dose if someone has been working for 2 hours at 30 cm distance from
an unshielded 45 MBq Am-241 source?
a)
b)
c)
d)
8.5
17
0.18
9.0
Sv
Sv
mSv
mSv
- 10 -
2008
44.
Place the following situations with the same radioactive source in order from high to low count rate.
The source is a gamma emitter (E = 0.7 MeV) and the shielding consists of 4 half value thicknesses of
iron (d1/2.= 14 mm and B = 2.6). The black blocks are lead collimators that do not transmit any
significant radiation.
40 cm
C
a)
b)
c)
d)
45.
20 cm
40 cm
20 cm
Situation C situation A situation D situation B.

Situation C situation D situation A situation B.
Situation D situation B situation C situation A.
Situation D situation C situation B situation A.
Observe the situation sketch of a freely emitting high energy

gamma source in air. All walls in the rooms are made of 15 cm
thick concrete. The half value thickness for this radiation is 5 cm,
the build-up factor is 3. At which of the indicated positions do you
receive the lowest dose rate?
a)
b)
c)
d)
Position
Position
Position
Position
A.
B.
C.
D.
- 11 -
2008
Level 5A:
46.
Two propositions concerning the dose rate in an X-ray beam. Which is/are true?
I.
Beam filtering leads to a great reduction of the dose rate because mainly the high energy
photons are absorbed.
II.
To calculate the dose rate at various distances from the focus, one can use the inverse square
law of radiation.
a)
b)
c)
d)
47.
A closed source:
a)
b)
c)
d)
48.
the
the
the
the
distance to the source and the exposure time.

used type of radiation and the sensitivity of the exposed tissues.
used type of radiation and the distance to the source.
sensitivity of the exposed tissues and the exposure time.
If in a health centre only one X-ray tube is used:

a)
b)
c)
d)
50.
is a source encapsulated in a metal hull or capsule.

always needs to be transported in a lead container.
has to be checked regularly for surface contaminations.
does not emit any -radiation.
When calculating the equivalent dose rate coming from a source, one takes into account:
a)
b)
c)
d)
49.
Proposition I is true, proposition II is not true.

Proposition I is not true, proposition II is true.
Both propositions are true.
Neither propositions are true.
you do not need to file a Nuclear Energy Licence (Kernenergiewetvergunning) if the maximum
tube voltage is lower than 100 kV.
you do not need to file a Nuclear Energy Licence (Kernenergiewetvergunning).
you should always file a Nuclear Energy Licence (Kernenergiewetvergunning).
you have to bring the tube to the COVRA (Central Organisation for Radioactive Waste) when
decommissioned.
An X-ray tube in an industrial setting is used for thickness measurements. Sometimes the material is
stuck and an operator (an exposed worker) has to pull it loose. The worker regularly forgets to close
the beam shutter, causing his hand to be exposed in the beam for 2 seconds each time. The dose rate
in the beam is 10 mGy/min. After how many times the operator exceeds his yearly dose limit?
a)
b)
c)
d)
2 times.
60 times.
1500 times.
This can not be calculated from these data.
- 12 -
2008
Level 5B:
46.
Which of the following precautions is primarily aimed at the prevention of internal contamination?
a)
b)
c)
d)
47.
A laboratory worker performs an experiment using 2.1 MBq 125I and inhales approximately 0.10% of this
activity. The e (50)inh is 7.3109 Sv/Bq. The worker receives an:
a)
b)
c)
d)
48.
can be treated as normal laboratory waste.

always has to be disposed of as radioactive waste.
is always kept until the specific activity is below emission levels.
is kept separate from normal waste, as is done for chemical waste.
Phosphorous-32 and phosphorous-33 can both be used to label DNA fragments. Both isotopes only
emit -radiation. The e (50)inh of P-32 is 1.1109 Sv/Bq, that of P-33 is 1.41010 Sv/Bq.
Which statement is true?
a)
b)
c)
d)
50.
effective committed dose of 15 nSv.

effective committed dose of 1.5 Sv.
effective committed dose of 15 Sv.
equivalent dose of 15 mSv.
Waste from a radionuclide laboratory:

a)
b)
c)
d)
49.
increasing the distance to the source.

limiting the duration of the exposure.
checking the shielding wall for bursts and openings.
checking the capsule of a sealed source for leakage.
the biological half life of P-33 is probably shorter than that of P-32.
the Amax will be equal for both isotopes during the same working conditions.
the radiotoxicity of P-32 is greater than that of P-33.
open -emitters should always be manipulated in a closed working cabinet (glove cabinet).
During an activation experiment, zinc-65 (e (50)inh = 2.8109 Sv/Bq) is formed.

An operator wants to do a simple experiment (p = -1) in a C-class radionuclide laboratory (q = 2) with
80 MBq of this nuclide. What is the proper minimal local ventilation condition under which this
experiment should be performed?
a)
b)
c)
d)
a
a
a
a
normal lab table (r = 0) is enough.

standard fume hood (r = 1).
DIN-approved fume hood with less than 1% dispersion (r = 2).
closed working cabinet (r = 3).
- 13 -
2008
Antwoorden oefenexamen 2:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
b
b
b
c
c
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
c
a
c
b
c
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
d
c
c
a
b
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
c
c
a
b
d
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
d
a
b
c
c
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
b
b
b
b
b
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
c
a
d
d
d
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
c
b
b
d
d
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
c
b
c
b
a
5A:
46.
47.
48.
49.
50
b
c
c
a
c
5B:
- 14 -
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
d
c
d
c
b
2008

Practice Exam 2 5a and 5b

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Practice Exam 2 5a and 5b

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Delft University of Technology

Faculty of Applied Sciences

Multiple choice exam

Time available: 100 minutes

You can find the answers on the last page (14).

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

A characteristic of a radioactive nuclide is:

an excited state of the nucleus.

Isotopes are atoms:

A difference between -particles and conversion electrons is:

the number of unstable nuclei.

with the same number of neutrons, but a different number of protons.

+-emission is an alternative for:

the emission of two 511 keV photons.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

A part of the Chart of the Nuclides is printed underneath:

Which of the following nuclides can decay through electron capture?

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

The radiation emitted by an X-ray tube consists predominantly of:

The interaction of 1 MeV -radiation with concrete is dominated by:

shielding the source with 20 mm of lead.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

lead more photo interactions than Compton effect.

activity of the source.

A lead wall of 1,000 g/cm2.

As a result of interactions of ionising radiation with matter, photons can be generated.

the formation of bremsstrahlung.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

low energy -radiation (E-, max smaller than 80 eV).

A GM-tube is used as a contamination monitor mostly for:

more serious compared to the damage caused by the -radiation.

The radiation weighting factor for -radiation is:

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

Which of the following biological effects of radiation is a late somatic effect?

Irreversible hair loss and erythema (redness of the skin).

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

What is a task of the IAEA?

The intensity of a beam of -photons, emitted by a point source, is:

for external irradiation of persons in general.

the Nuclear Energy Act (Kernenergiewet, Kew).

checking the presence of licences in nuclear installations.

proportional to the squared distance.

In a -spectrum the so-called photo peaks are characteristic for:

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

GBq --source, E-, max = 0.1 MeV.

2 meters distance during 4.5 minutes.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

Situation C situation A situation D situation B.

Observe the situation sketch of a freely emitting high energy

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

distance to the source and the exposure time.

If in a health centre only one X-ray tube is used:

is a source encapsulated in a metal hull or capsule.

Proposition I is true, proposition II is not true.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

can be treated as normal laboratory waste.

effective committed dose of 15 nSv.

Waste from a radionuclide laboratory:

increasing the distance to the source.

During an activation experiment, zinc-65 (e (50)inh = 2.8109 Sv/Bq) is formed.

normal lab table (r = 0) is enough.

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B

Practice exam 2, Course Health Physics Level 5A & 5B