January 2020
Radiation, Revised Edition
by James A. Mahaffey, Ph.D.
The most dangerous component of nuclear science has always seemed to be radiation, the bio-destructive byproduct of fission. The act of fissioning a uranium or plutonium nucleus releases energy, and about 10 percent of this energy is in the form of intense, penetrating radiation. The entire measure of energy from fission can take thousands of years to fully materialize, and therein lies the problem. Long after the fission has occurred to produce power in a nuclear reactor, the power plant has worn out and been torn down, and the ground on which the power plant sat has been seeded in grass and returned to nature, a weak echo of the power production can still occur in the remaining fission byproducts. It is this lingering hint of danger that must be studied and understood for a complete survey of nuclear power and the technology that makes it possible. Radiation, Revised Edition explains the nature of radiation in its many forms. It explores what is and isn't dangerous about radiation, explaining its effects in matter in both living and non-living things. This comprehensive resource also examines the many industrial uses of radiation, from smoke detectors to dental X-rays; the many techniques used to detect and measure this invisible phenomenon; practical measures of radiation protection; and ways of treating radiation exposure. Complete with full-color photographs and illustrations, Radiation, Revised Edition is a timely guide written in accessible language that will appeal to high school and college students alike.
