Understanding Radiation Science: Basic Nuclear and Health Physics

by James Mannie Shuler

The purpose of Understanding Radiation Science: Basic Nuclear and Health Physics is to provide the reader a basic understanding of radiation science. Therefore, basic nuclear physics and health physics principles are presented through chapters on atomic structure, types of radiation, terminology and units, radiation biology, exposure and controls, background radiation, personnel monitoring, and radiation instrumentation. The book concludes with chapters on historical events and definitions. This book provides introductory information for students starting there education in nuclear physics, health physics and nuclear engineering. The material covered in this book is appropriate for all types of radiation workers. Persons studying to take the health physics certification exam, radiation protection technologist exam, or the certifying examinations to become radiologic technologist, radiation therapy technologists, ultrasound technologists, or nuclear medicine technologists will find this information most useful.

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2006

Reviews

[Jordan Belville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. Basic overview of radiation science. Doesn’t go very in depth but reads like a chapter book which is refreshing since most other material is presented in dry textbook form. I’d recommend it!

[Joseph Caputo · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading Understanding Radiation Science I was surprised there wasn't a test with multiple choice answers to complete at the end of the book. The book is written so technically that it eventually became a series of long definitions. I felt it would make a great supplement and picked up a few facts, but I wish it had come with a more interesting companion book. Occasionally the information was helpful and interesting, such as the metaphor comparing radioactive contamination to tracks of mud. But most of the reading was vague. Even with a science background, this book did not read like an "introductory" text for beginners. If the following line makes sense, however, then this is the book for you: "The dose equivalent in rems in numerically equal to the absorbed dose in rads multiplied by the quality factor (QF), the distribution factor, and any other necessary modifying factors."