Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Which of the following describes the impact of distance on radiation intensity according to the inverse square law?

1. Intensity increases as distance increases

2. Intensity remains unchanged regardless of distance

3. Intensity decreases as the square of the distance increases

4. Intensity fluctuates without any specific relationship to distance

The correct answer is: Intensity decreases as the square of the distance increases

The inverse square law states that the intensity of radiation from a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. This means that as you move further away from the radiation source, the intensity of the radiation decreases sharply. Specifically, if the distance from the source is doubled, the intensity becomes one-fourth as strong. This principle underscores the concept that intensity diminishes rapidly as distance increases. This relationship is crucial in fields like safety and health, where understanding radiation exposure is necessary to ensure proper protective measures are taken when working in or around radioactive materials. The mathematical principle clearly illustrates how even small increases in distance can lead to significant decreases in radiation intensity, emphasizing the importance of maintaining adequate distance from radiation sources to minimize exposure risks.