Page 44 - How It Works - Book of Amazing Answers To Curious Questions, 12

AMAZIG ANSWERS TO CURIOUS QUESTIONS -------------------

Why is Why does ice
radzation so have the energy
dangerous? to burst pipes?

T here are many different types of ater is different to most other
radiation; for example, visible light is a W substances as upon turning into ice,
form of radiation. Some are more harmful its volume expands by roughly nine per cent
than others, however, as there are on causing it to become less dense. This is due
average 15,000 radioactive particles to nature of the bonds between the
travelling through your body every second! molecules and the shape of those molecules.
With all this radiation exposure, why aren't Upon changing state, a substance needs to
we all dying of cancer? Well, it is not the absorb or release a certain amount of energy
amount of radiation which you come into to undergo the phase transition. For a solid
contact with, as every single one of these turning into a liquid, this energy is needed to
particles has the potential to cause cancer, break the bonds in the solid therefore needs
it's just the probability of that occurring is to be absorbed by the system. For a liquid
about one in 30 quadrillion! turning into a solid, this energy is released as
Only approximately one per cent of fatal the bonds form.
radioactive particles which pass through our How do change into ice, it must give off 333.55kJ to
For lkg of water at freezing point to
human cancer is caused by these 30 trillion
bodies in a typical lifetime. Ionising radiation the surroundings, just to undergo the phase
has the energy to detach electrons from their painkillers cure transition. This large amount of energy is
associated atoms, therefore causing the atom normally given off as heat, which means it
to become positively charged. These charged headaches? gives the molecules in the atmosphere more
particles are referred to as radicals and are kinetic energy. However, if water is
highly reactive due to their unstable nature. e all feel pain differently, depending contained in a steel pipe at freezing point,
Radicals are very important for certain W on the severity of the injury or ache, the energy given off will be passed on to the
processes in the body such as the killing of as well as our health and our pain threshold. molecules and bonds in the pipe, causing the
bacteria. However, many unwanted effects When you are in pain, nerve endings pipe to burst.
such as mutation of cells can be a problem. transmit the pain signal to the brain via the
Scientists have found lots of evidence to spinal cord. The brain then interprets the
suggest that these radicals cause mutations level of pain.
in cells which can give rise to cancer. There are two key types of painkillers that Why does mint
are commonly used. The first include
ibuprofen and paracetamol, which block the taste 'cold'?
body's 'prostaglandins' (chemicals that
produce swelling and pain) at the source of
the pain, reducing swelling in the area and e're sure you have all experienced the
reducing the intensity of pain. These 'aspirin W 'cool' sensation induced by eating a
medicines' are used frequently for mild to mint, and the reason why this happens is due
moderate pain, but they can only work up to to the active ingredient called menthol. When
a certain intensity of pain. There are different we perceive something to be hot or cold, this
types of painkillers within this group, such as is due to electrical signals from the nerves
anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen, which come into contact with the hot or cold
which are commonly used to treat arthritis, 'thing'. Our brain then interprets these
sprains and strains. Aspirin is used to help electrical signals as instructions such as -
lower the risk of blood clots when used in a 'that is hot, don't touch!' or 'that is cold'.
low dosage, as they thin the blood. Mints usually contain menthol. Menthol
Paracetamol is what's known as an has the ability to affect the pores on our
analgesic, which is used for reducing pain nerve cells which changes the electrical
and lowering a temperature. activity of the cell. This change in electrical
The second type of painkillers include activity corresponds to the same change that
morphine and codeine (narcotic medicines), would take place if something cold came into
which block the pain messages in the spinal contact with the cell. The cell interprets the
cord and the brain. This is for much more change in activity due to menthol as a
severe pain. As both types of painkillers use change in temperature and sends that
slightly different methods to treat pain, they information to the brain. This accounts for
can be combined, such as in co-coda mol, the 'coldness' which we experience when
which blends codeine and paracetamol. eating a mint.

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