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GCSE Combined Science · key term
The process of exposing an object to nuclear radiation. The irradiated object does not become radioactive.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Specification 6.4.2.4 · Paper 5
Revise: Radioactive Contamination and IrradiationThe material and the radiation travelling from it are different things. This distinction explains the difference between contamination and irradiation.
Paper 5, Paper 6
Exposure of an object or person to radiation from a source, without necessarily transferring radioactive material.
Revise: Radiation hazards and safetyIrradiation occurs when radiation reaches an object from a source. For example, radiation from nearby radioactive dust may irradiate someone's skin even though no dust lands on them. Irradiation does not make the skin radioactive.
Distinguish radioactive material from the radiation it emits: contamination transfers material; irradiation exposes an object to radiation.
Do not say that irradiation makes an object radioactive. It can still damage living cells.
Avoid claiming that irradiation is always brief or contamination always lasts a long time. Continued exposure depends on whether radiation is still reaching the object and whether contaminating atoms remain.
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