Calculate the effective radiation dosage in sieverts for a 57 57 ‑kg person who is exposed to 4.2 * 10 9 4.2*109 particles of alpha radiation. Only 81 % 81% of the radiation is absorbed. Assume each alpha particle has an energy of 6.1 * 10 - 13 6.1*10-13 J and that the RBE of the alpha particles is 15 15. Note that RBE is sometimes called the quality factor (Q Q).

Dose = 5.4 10⁻⁴ Sv

Explanation:

The radiation dose absorbed by the body is 81% of the incident radiation, which is the number of particles per energy of each particle

E = 0.81 n₀ E₀

E = 0.81 4.2 10⁹ 0.81 6.1 10⁻¹³

E = 2.075 10⁻³ J

Effective radiation dose

Dose1 = n x RBE

Dose1 = 2,075 10⁻³ 15

Dose1 = 3.1 10⁻² REM

The effective radiation dose in sievert

Dose = dose1 / m

Dose = 3.1 10⁻² / 57

Dose = 5.4 10⁻⁴ [j / kg]

Dose = 5.4 10⁻⁴ Sv