A gastrointestinal tract X-ray exposes a patient to 5000 microSv of radiation. For X-rays, (1 Sv = 1 Gy), how many joules are absorbed by a 60-kg person?

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the relationship between sieverts (Sv) and grays (Gy). For X-rays, 1 Sv is equivalent to 1 Gy, which means the dose in sieverts is numerically equal to the dose in grays.

Step 2: Convert the dose from microsieverts to grays. Since 1 Sv = 1 Gy, 5000 microSv is equivalent to 5000 microGy. Convert microGy to Gy by dividing by 1,000,000 (since 1 Gy = 1,000,000 microGy).

Step 3: Use the formula for absorbed dose in joules: Absorbed dose (Gy) = Energy absorbed (J) / Mass (kg). Rearrange the formula to solve for energy absorbed: Energy absorbed (J) = Absorbed dose (Gy) * Mass (kg).

Step 4: Substitute the values into the formula. Use the converted dose in grays from Step 2 and the mass of the person (60 kg) to calculate the energy absorbed in joules.

Step 5: Perform the multiplication to find the energy absorbed in joules. This will give you the total energy absorbed by the 60-kg person due to the X-ray exposure.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Radiation Dose Measurement

Radiation dose is measured in sieverts (Sv), which quantifies the biological effect of ionizing radiation on human tissue. In this context, 1 Sv is equivalent to 1 gray (Gy), which measures the absorbed dose of radiation in joules per kilogram of body mass. Understanding this relationship is crucial for converting the radiation exposure into energy absorbed by the body.

Energy Absorption Calculation

To calculate the energy absorbed by a person from radiation exposure, the formula used is: Energy (Joules) = Dose (Gy) × Mass (kg). This formula allows us to determine the total energy absorbed by multiplying the dose of radiation (in Gy) by the mass of the individual (in kg), providing a clear understanding of how much energy is involved in the exposure.

Unit Conversion

Unit conversion is essential in scientific calculations to ensure that all measurements are compatible. In this question, converting microSieverts (µSv) to Sieverts (Sv) is necessary, as 1 Sv equals 1,000,000 µSv. Properly converting units is vital for accurate calculations and understanding the implications of radiation exposure.

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