Gamma rays
3 marks · NormalGamma rays can be harmful to medical staff working with them.
State one precaution that medical staff should take when working with gamma rays.
Explain why this precaution reduces the risk of harm.
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(a) Wear a lead apron/use lead screens/stand behind lead shielding/stay as far away as possible.
(b) Lead blocks or absorbs gamma rays, reducing the amount that reaches the staff, so it limits their exposure and risk of cell damage.
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 (a) · 1 mark · States any valid precaution for working with gamma rays.
B2 (b) · 1 mark · Explains how the precaution works (e.g., lead absorbs/blocks gamma rays).
B3 (b) · 1 mark · Links this to reducing risk of harm (e.g., less radiation reaches staff).
Worked solution
a) Wear a lead apron or stay behind a lead screen. b) Lead absorbs or blocks gamma rays because it is very dense. By wearing lead or using screens, less gamma radiation reaches the body, reducing the risk of damage to living cells.