1. What is the Radiation Distribution Equation?

The inverse square law describes how radiation intensity decreases with distance from a point source. It's fundamental in radiation safety and protection calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the inverse square law equation:

Where:

• \( I \) — Radiation intensity (units/m²)
• \( S \) — Source strength (units)
• \( r \) — Distance from source (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that radiation intensity follows an inverse square relationship with distance from the source.

3. Importance of Radiation Calculation

Details: Accurate radiation intensity calculations are crucial for safety planning, shielding design, and dose estimation in nuclear facilities and medical applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter source strength in appropriate units and distance in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for source strength?
A: Use consistent units (e.g., Bq for activity, Gy/h for dose rate). The calculator works with any units as long as you're consistent.

Q2: Does this apply to all radiation types?
A: The inverse square law applies to electromagnetic radiation (gamma, x-rays) and to a good approximation for particulate radiation in air.

Q3: When does the inverse square law not apply?
A: It doesn't apply for extended sources, in scattering media, or very close to the source (near field).

Q4: How does shielding affect the calculation?
A: Shielding adds an exponential attenuation factor not accounted for in this basic calculator.

Q5: What about radioactive decay over time?
A: This calculator assumes constant source strength. For decaying sources, you'd need to account for the decay rate separately.