7 ms·
I wonder how they know this? Do they just assume that neutron radiation will cause the same radiation sickness as other types of radiation? Extrapolate from ani
by pmjordan 16y ago
I wonder how they know this? Do they just assume that neutron radiation will cause the same radiation sickness as other types of radiation? Extrapolate from animal testing? Or have there been tests with humans?
My understanding was that the high-energy neutrons interacted with the hydrogen nuclei (singular protons) in the body, due to the extremely similar mass; conversely, ionising radiation, well, ionises molecules, that is to say, interacts with the electrons.
- DougWebb 16y agoExplosive weapons aren't the only sources of neutrons. I imagine animals have been exposed in labs, and probably humans have been accidentally exposed too.
- varjag 16y agoAlso, there were plenty of actual nuclear bombing victims to draw many kinds of statistics.
- Symmetry 16y agoFrom accidents in the early days of nuclear research and extrapolation. An example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core