A gamma shield reduces a dose rate from 10 mSv/h at the unshielded side to 1.25 mSv/h behind the shield. How many HVLs does this shielding provide?

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Multiple Choice

A gamma shield reduces a dose rate from 10 mSv/h at the unshielded side to 1.25 mSv/h behind the shield. How many HVLs does this shielding provide?

Explanation:
Each HVL halves the gamma dose rate. So after n HVLs, the dose rate is reduced by a factor of 2^n. Here the dose goes from 10 mSv/h to 1.25 mSv/h, a reduction factor of 10 / 1.25 = 8. Since 8 = 2^3, three HVLs are required. Checking other options: two HVLs would give 10 → 5 → 2.5 mSv/h (not low enough); four HVLs would give 10 → 5 → 2.5 → 1.25 → 0.625 mSv/h (too low). Five HVLs would be even lower at 0.3125 mSv/h. Therefore, shielding provides three HVLs.

Each HVL halves the gamma dose rate. So after n HVLs, the dose rate is reduced by a factor of 2^n.

Here the dose goes from 10 mSv/h to 1.25 mSv/h, a reduction factor of 10 / 1.25 = 8. Since 8 = 2^3, three HVLs are required. Checking other options: two HVLs would give 10 → 5 → 2.5 mSv/h (not low enough); four HVLs would give 10 → 5 → 2.5 → 1.25 → 0.625 mSv/h (too low). Five HVLs would be even lower at 0.3125 mSv/h.

Therefore, shielding provides three HVLs.

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