How does distance affect radiation exposure?

Distance plays a crucial role in the concept of radiation exposure, primarily governed by the inverse square law. This principle states that the intensity of radiation exposure decreases with the square of the distance from the radiation source. As a person moves farther away from a radiation source, the amount of exposure decreases significantly because the radiation spreads out over a larger area. For instance, if you double the distance from the source, the radiation exposure is reduced to a quarter of what it would be at the original distance.

Understanding this relationship is essential for radiation safety practices, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe distances from radiation sources to minimize exposure. The effective management of distance can significantly lower the risk of harmful effects from radiation, supporting the practice of maximizing distance whenever feasible in radiation work environments.