Applied Science: Radiation, Ventilation, Heat and Force practice questions for the CSP exam

CSP11 Domain 6: Occupational Health and Applied Science (6.2 Applied science calculations). 3 free questions below. Every answer quotes and links the formula source it rests on.

Question 1 · Calculation

A radiography source reads 150 mR/hr at 3 ft (a point source, no shielding). The site's procedure requires a barricade where the rate is no more than 2 mR/hr. Using the inverse square law, about how far from the source should the barricade be?

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Answer: B. 26.0 ft

I2 = I1 (d1/d2)², so d2 = d1 x √(I1/I2) = 3 x √(150/2) = 26.0 ft. Scaling distance linearly with intensity (225.0 ft) overstates the distance needed.

“Estimating Attenuation in Air Using Inverse Square Law I 2 = I 1 [ d 1 / d 2 ] 2”
Question 2 · Calculation

A radiography source reads 40 mR/hr at 2 ft (a point source, no shielding). The site's procedure requires a barricade where the rate is no more than 2 mR/hr. Using the inverse square law, about how far from the source should the barricade be?

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Answer: A. 8.9 ft

I2 = I1 (d1/d2)², so d2 = d1 x √(I1/I2) = 2 x √(40/2) = 8.9 ft. Scaling distance linearly with intensity (40.0 ft) overstates the distance needed.

“Estimating Attenuation in Air Using Inverse Square Law I 2 = I 1 [ d 1 / d 2 ] 2”
Question 3 · Calculation

A radiography source reads 100 mR/hr at 2 ft (a point source, no shielding). The site's procedure requires a barricade where the rate is no more than 2 mR/hr. Using the inverse square law, about how far from the source should the barricade be?

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Answer: C. 14.1 ft

I2 = I1 (d1/d2)², so d2 = d1 x √(I1/I2) = 2 x √(100/2) = 14.1 ft. Scaling distance linearly with intensity (100.0 ft) overstates the distance needed.

“Estimating Attenuation in Air Using Inverse Square Law I 2 = I 1 [ d 1 / d 2 ] 2”
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