In high-speed paper manufacturing, static eliminator bars containing polonium-210 (an active alpha (α\alphaα) emitter) are installed to neutralise electrostatic charge on paper webs. The bars are located inside the machinery housing, and operators work at a control desk approximately 1.5 m away.
State one reason why the alpha radiation emitted from these bars does not pose an external health hazard to the operators.
94 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.5 Uses and dangers of radioactivity, covering 6.5.1 Uses of radioactivity, 6.5.2 Dangers of ionising radiation and precautions, 6.5.3 Half-life and radiation dangers, 6.5.4 Safety precautions for radiation exposure, and 6.5.5 Contamination and irradiation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.