Radioactivity: Friend or Foe?

放射性:朋友还是敌人?

The Forum

社会与文化

2016-07-11

40 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

One of the first things that comes to mind when thinking of radioactivity is often a nuclear accident or dangerous rays. But radioactivity is in fact a much more varied phenomenon, one that can bring us great benefits as well as put us in danger. With help from three experts, Rajan Datar looks for a more nuanced picture of the role radioactivity plays in our lives. Photo: A symbol for radioactivity is visible on a radioactively-contaminated container. (Getty Images)
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单集文稿 ...

  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • Available now on the documentary from the BBC World Service.

  • The distinct musical genre of Amapiano can be heard in clubs and parties all around the world.

  • It's a sound born out of the unique cultural identity of South Africa.

  • I am legendary Chris and I'm going to take you on a journey of exploration

  • as we dive into the history of the music.

  • Listen now by searching for the documentary wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

  • This is a download from the BBC.

  • Welcome to the Forum, a global exchange of ideas from the BBC.

  • Hello, I'm Rajan Dutta.

  • Today we'll be talking about a phenomenon that allows us to do an immense range of things.

  • Like observe events that happened billions of years ago and discover processes that power stars as well as our own planet.

  • It's also something that could power all our homes

  • if we wanted to and something that could both cure us and yet also harm us or indeed in the hands of the wrong people destroy the whole planet.

  • What am I talking about?

  • Radioactivity.

  • A process through which some elements spontaneously emit energy in the form of nuclear radiation.

  • I'm joined by three people who've spent their lives studying different aspects of radioactivity and radiation.

  • Professor Melissa Deneke is the scientific director of the Dalton Nuclear Institute at the University of Manchester.

  • Timothy Jorgensen is professor of radiation medicine at Georgetown University in Washington DC and joining us from Paris is Professor Nicholas Pransos,