kilorad

Kilorad is a unit of absorbed radiation dose. It is derived from the rad, which is the standard unit in the centimeter-gram-second (CGS) system for absorbed dose. One rad is defined as the absorption of 100 ergs of energy per gram of absorbing material. The prefix "kilo" indicates a factor of 1000. Therefore, one kilorad (krad) is equal to 1000 rads.

The kilorad is a measure of the energy deposited by ionizing radiation per unit mass of material. It is important to note that the kilorad quantifies the absorbed dose, which is the physical amount of radiation energy absorbed, and not the biological effect of that dose, which is measured in rem or sieverts. While the rad and the kilorad were widely used, the International System of Units (SI) preferred unit for absorbed dose is the gray (Gy), where 1 Gy equals 100 rads. Consequently, 1 krad is equivalent to 10 gray (Gy).

In practical applications, especially in older literature or in certain specific fields, the kilorad might still be encountered. However, for consistency and international standardization, the gray is the unit now commonly used to express absorbed dose in scientific and medical contexts. Understanding the relationship between kilorad and gray is crucial for interpreting historical data and comparing radiation measurements across different units.