I have always had a hard time grasping this. Radioactivity has many units of measure: Grays, Rads, Rems, Curies, Roentgen, Sieverts, Becquerels.
Why are there so many different unit types, and how do they inter-relate? I have a decent understanding of physics, but not in this specific area. To date I haven’t read or heard an explanation that gives an “ah-ha!” moment or makes me quite understand what all these measures actually mean.
Yes, I have seen the XKCD radioactivity chart.
In: Physics
rfkile is correct. Part of the challenge lies with the fact that “radiation” and radioactivity and the understanding of radionuclides and their interactions with each other, inert and living matter have occurred over a period of time and to some extent in earlier times with an ongoing misunderstanding or incomplete understanding of many of their facets. Not mentioned so far is that there are different classes of classic radiation – Alpha particles (α-particles), Beta particles (β-particles) and Gamma rays (γ-rays) adding to the matter of radiation measurement complexity. Today each of the standardized measurements represents a particular effect – whether dose (or dose rate), emission rate or impact. Units used are now usually tailored to the circumstances and effects involved or of interest. Note: I also agree with WRSaunders as well.
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