Introduction to the effects of radiation

It is perhaps worthwhile to summarize what an atom looks like. It contains very heavy protons and neutrons in its nucleus and this is surrounded by shells of spinning electrons. This chapter generally has to do with the nuclei of the atoms. The electrons are still there, but it is the nucleus that interests us. 

The nuclei of elements of low atomic number have roughly the same number of neutrons as there are protons, e.g. helium has two protons and two neutrons. Some elements have a series of variations of number of neutrons for the same atomic number (number of protons). Elements that have the same number of protons but 

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Knowledge of the findings and recommendations of the NCRP and ICRP was confined mostly to scientific circles. The general public remained largely unaware of radiation hazards other than those associated with atomic warfare. The use of atomic bombs against Japan gave the public a dramatic introduction to the effects of radiation, and an out-... 

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