Two technicians in a nuclear laboratory were accidentally exposed to radiation. If one was exposed to 8 mGy and the other to 5 rad, which technician received more radiation?

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Hey, everyone, we're told that personnel one was exposed to a radiation dose of 20 milligray while personnel two had a radiation exposure of three rad, which personnel received less radiation. Now to answer this question, we need to convert our milligray into rad so we can properly compare the two. So first, let's go ahead and write our conversions here. As we've learned, we know that one milligray is equivalent to 10 to the negative third gray. And we also know that one gray is equivalent to red. Now let's go ahead and use this information in our dimensional analysis starting with personnel one, we were told that they were exposed to a radiation dose of 20 mg. And we know that one mg is equivalent to 10 to the negative third gray converting our gray into rad. We know that one gray is equivalent to 100 rad. Now when we calculate this out and cancel out all of our units, we end up with two rad. Now comparing this to personal two, we were told that personal two was exposed to three rad. So the personnel that received the less radiation would be personnel. One since two is less than three. Now, I hope this made sense and let us know if you have any questions.

Two technicians in a nuclear laboratory were accidentally exposed to radiation. If one was exposed to 8 mGy and the other to 5 rad, which technician received more radiation?

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Key Concepts

Radiation Dose Units

Conversion Between Units

Health Effects of Radiation Exposure