Penetrating radiation is ... Impact of penetrating radiation

Among all the damaging factors of the nuclear explosion (shock wave, light radiation, electromagnetic pulse, radioactive contamination of the terrain, ionizing radiation), the most dangerous is the penetrating radiation. This intense gamma radiation, accompanied by a stream of neutrons, which are emitted from the nuclear explosion zone for a short period of time - units and tens of seconds. It is the main cause of the development of radiation sickness.

Ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation, or penetrating radiation, is a stream of photons, elementary particles, fission fragments of atoms that is capable of ionizing substances, that is, transforming neutral atoms or molecules into ions-positively charged particles. As a result of this "transformation", physicochemical and biological processes in living tissues and materials are violated, the crystal lattice is destroyed, and the molecular structure changes. The radius of damage to penetrating radiation is much less than light radiation or a shock wave. The most dangerous are the zones within 2-3 km from the epicenter of the explosion. This is due to the fact that streams of elementary particles are intensively absorbed by the atmosphere.

Nature of penetrating radiation

In order to understand what the penetrating radiation of a nuclear explosion is, it is necessary to consider its nature, and to do this, turn to the structure of the atom.

The atom is the smallest particle of a chemical element, which consists of a nucleus and electrons rotating around it. The core, in turn, consists of two components - protons and neutrons. The first carry a positive charge, the second - neutral. Due to the mass ratio of protons and electrons (with a negative charge), the atom as a whole is electrically neutral. As a result of the bombardment of the atom of matter by neutrons, the nucleus splits into two parts, releasing a large amount of energy and "chipping off" the elementary particles. "Breakaway" neutrons, protons bombard other nuclei, and again divide them in half - an uncontrolled nuclear reaction begins.

Thus, penetrating radiation is nothing more than a set of "breakaway" elementary particles (which have not collided with other nuclei) and a huge amount of energy - electromagnetic or gamma radiation.

Reasons for changing the structure of matter

The change in the structure of matter is the main reason for the negative influence of ionizing radiation on living tissues and various non-biological materials. This occurs as a result of the bombardment of the atoms of matter by "breakaway" neutrons. As a result of such an impact, as we have already explained, the nucleus divides into two parts.

But this happens very rarely, because for this enormous energy must have penetrating radiation. This and only this is capable of dividing the nucleus in a stable state. The main reason for the change in the structure of matter is the knocking out of the atom of neutrons. As a result, the core mass decreases, electromagnetic equilibrium is disturbed, and in order to restore it, the electron is forced to "leave" its orbit.

The equilibrium is restored, but the atom acquires a positive charge, since the number of its protons has not decreased - ionization of the substance takes place. Obviously, the ions are unable to perform the same functions as the atoms. Moreover, the molecules become unstable, they break down into monomers. That is why the effect of penetrating radiation is so pernicious for a person.

Radiation sickness

Large doses of ionizing radiation in the vast majority of cases provoke radiation sickness - destruction, tissue damage by radiation. It can develop as a result of short-term exposure to high doses, or prolonged less intense exposure. In accordance with this, the damage can be acute and secretive. In any case, the disease has a harmful effect on the human body. In the course of acute radiation sickness, all body systems, or a particular organ, suffer. Most often, the effect of penetrating radiation "concentrates" on the rectum. This disease is accompanied by severe vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and dehydration. Moreover, the organism is poisoned by products of decay of cells, molecules. There comes a general intoxication.

The duration of the latent period of radiation sickness is from several days to a month. During this time, the victim almost does not feel any discomforts, but then comes the height of the disease. There is intoxication, infectious diseases develop, the production of blood cells and bone marrow sharply decreases, extensive hemorrhage and death are observed.

Principles of protection from damaging radiation

Time is the main protection from the damaging radiation. In the first days after a nuclear explosion, the radiation intensity is much higher than a few days later. This is due to the fact that all substances have different half-lives - firstly, they share short-lived isotopes (the most dangerous isotopes), and only then the remaining particles. Moreover, for every seven hours the radiation level decreases tenfold. Distance is the second factor of protection. Double removal from the epicenter of the explosion reduces the level of radiation by 4 times. But the main and most accessible means of protection is screening - the use of various materials as a barrier before the flow of elementary particles. The best protective properties are lead, steel, concrete, brick, soil. That is why shelters are arranged underground, in the cellars of monolithic buildings and structures.

Protection from food radiation

Protection from penetrating radiation consists not only in creating barriers for neutron flux and gamma radiation, but also in protecting food products from radionuclides. The first thing you need to do to protect food and water - put them in a dense shell. This can be a cellophane bag, a plastic container, metal containers. This is done so that the decay products can not settle on food, and then get inside the body.