In terms of radiation protection, what does increasing distance from a source do?

Increasing distance from a radiation source is fundamental to radiation protection practices, based on the inverse square law. This law states that the intensity of radiation from a point source decreases with the square of the distance from the source. As you double your distance from the source, the radiation exposure is reduced to a quarter of its original value. Therefore, by increasing your distance from a source, you effectively decrease your exposure to radiation. This is a critical principle in minimizing radiation risk for those working around or with radioactive materials, making distance one of the simplest and most effective protective measures.

In contrast, other choices do not accurately reflect the relationship between distance and radiation exposure. For example, increasing exposure would contradict the principles of radiation safety, while stating that distance has no effect ignores the scientific understanding established through the inverse square law. Additionally, the assertion that it increases radioactive decay misinterprets the nature of radioactive decay, which is an inherent property of the material itself and not influenced by distance from the source. Thus, recognizing that increasing distance leads to a decrease in exposure is crucial for ensuring safety in environments where radiation is present.