strålingskilde

A strålingskilde, or radiation source, is any object or phenomenon that emits ionizing or non-ionizing radiation. Radiation is a form of energy that travels through space as waves or particles. The type of radiation emitted depends on the nature of the source.

Natural strålingskilder include cosmic rays from outer space, terrestrial radiation from radioactive elements in the Earth's crust like uranium and thorium, and internal radiation from naturally occurring radioactive isotopes within the human body, such as potassium-40. Radon gas, a decay product of uranium, is a significant contributor to natural background radiation.

Artificial strålingskilder are man-made. These can include medical sources like X-ray machines and radioactive isotopes used in nuclear medicine for diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons are significant sources of artificial radiation, though the radiation is typically contained. Other artificial sources include certain consumer products like smoke detectors containing small amounts of americium-241, and industrial applications such as radiographic testing.

The intensity and type of radiation emitted by a strålingskilde determine its potential effects. Understanding the nature and origin of radiation sources is crucial for radiation protection and for various scientific and industrial applications.