Background Radiation: GCSE Physics Definition
Written by: Caroline Carroll
Reviewed by: Katie M
Published
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2 minutes
What is background radiation?
In GCSE Physics, background radiation refers to the radiation that exists around us all the time.
Background radiation comes from both natural and man-made sources.
Natural sources of background radiation include:
Rocks
Cosmic rays
Food
Man-made sources of background radiation include:
Fallout from nuclear weapons testing
Fallout from nuclear accidents
Medical procedures such as X-rays and cancer treatments
Background radiation is the radiation that is present all around in the environment. Radon gas is given off from some types of rock
The level of background radiation varies depending on factors such as location and occupation. For instance, some regions have higher radon levels, while people within the nuclear industry are exposed to higher doses.
When measuring radiation in experiments, allowances must be made for background radiation. This ensures that the radiation from the specific source being studied is not mistaken for the radiation naturally present in the environment.
Background revision resources to ace your exams
You can strengthen your understanding of background radiation by using our revision notes tailored specifically for the AQA, Edexcel and WJEC exam boards. If you study OCR GCSE Physics A, you do not need to learn about background radiation.
You can practice questions about background radiation with helpful guidance and examiner tips using our exam board specific GCSE Physics exam questions.
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