NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH

RADIATION AND POLLUTION

ESH 1204

Main Examination Paper

Year 2018

This examination paper consists of 3 pages

Time Allowed: 3 hours

Total Marks: 100

Special Requirements: Calculator

Examiner’s Name: Mr Auther Maviza

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Answer Question 1 and ANY other three (3) questions

2. Each question carries 25 marks

MARK ALLOCATION

QUESTION MARKS
1. 25
2. 25
3. 25
4. 25
5. 25
6. 25
TOTAL 100

Page 1 of 3

Copyright: National University of Science and Technology, 2018

ESH 1204
Question 1
a) Describe the relationship between the following units:
i. The Gray and the Rad [2]
ii. The Becquerel and the Curie [2]
iii. The Roentgen and the Sievert [2]
b) Using a diagram (s), explain how nuclear stability and instability is brought. [10]
c) Complete the Table 1 (below). [9]

Table 1
Atomic Mass Atomic
numbers numbers e- p+ n0
Arsenic (As) 75 33
Mercury (Hg) 201 80
Plutonium (Pu) 244 94

Question 2
a) Distinguish between ionising radiation and non-ionising radiation. [6]
b) Describe the main principles of radiation protection. [9]
c) With the aid of examples, explain the importance of knowledge of radionuclide half-life
in radiation pollution control. [10]

Question 4
a) Analyse the generic nuclear decay equation (Equation 1) below and answer the questions
that follow.

[Equation 1]

i. Name the type of decay presented by Equation 1. [2]

ii. What do the symbols ‘A’, ‘Z’, and α represent? [3]
iii. Use a specific radionuclide to replace ‘X’ and ‘Y’ and present a balanced Equation
1. [8]
b) With the aid of a flow diagram, briefly describe the nuclear fuel cycle highlighting the
critical areas of potential occupational exposures to high levels of radiation. [12]

Page 2 of 3

Copyright: National University of Science and Technology, 2018

ESH 1204
Question 3
For any nuclear accident/ disaster of your choice, describe the chain of events that lead to the
disaster/accident, the resultant human health and environmental impacts and the key measures
taken to mitigate the impacts of the disaster/accident.

Question 5
a) Explain the mode of action of ionising radiation in inducing cancer in humans. [12]
b) After 500 years, a sample of Radium-226 has decayed to 80.4% of its original mass. Find
the half-life of Radium-226. (Show all calculations). [13]

Question 6
Discuss the effectiveness of the main legislative provision for ensuring protection of human
health and the environment from dangers of ionising radiation in Zimbabwe.

Page 3 of 3

Copyright: National University of Science and Technology, 2018

ESH 1204