Question
Download Solution PDFThe unit used to measure absorbed radiation dose is:
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 2 : Gray (Gy)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFCorrect Answer: Gray (Gy)
Rationale:
- The Gray (Gy) is the unit of absorbed radiation dose in the International System of Units (SI). It measures the amount of radiation energy absorbed per unit mass of tissue, specifically joules per kilogram.
- One Gray is equivalent to the absorption of one joule of radiation energy by one kilogram of matter.
- The Gray is a critical unit in radiation protection, radiology, and radiotherapy, as it helps quantify the potential biological effects of different types of radiation.
Explanation of Other Options:
Sievert (Sv)
- Rationale: The Sievert (Sv) is a derived unit used to measure the health effect of ionizing radiation. It takes into account not only the absorbed dose but also the biological impact of the type of radiation, making it different from the Gray. While Gray measures absorbed dose, Sievert measures the biological effect.
Becquerel (Bq)
- Rationale: The Becquerel (Bq) is the unit of radioactivity in the International System of Units (SI). It measures the activity of a quantity of radioactive material, with one Becquerel representing one disintegration per second. It does not measure absorbed radiation dose.
Roentgen (R)
- Rationale: The Roentgen (R) is an older unit of measurement that was used to quantify the amount of ionization produced by gamma or X-ray radiation in air. It is not used to measure absorbed dose in tissue, and has largely been replaced by the Gray and Sievert in modern practices.
Conclusion:
- Among the given options, Gray (Gy) is the correct unit for measuring absorbed radiation dose. It is crucial in fields like radiology and radiotherapy to understand the amount of radiation energy absorbed by tissues, which is different from the units measuring the biological effects or radioactivity itself.