Question

2. Explain the relation between the roentgen (R) and a rem.

Answer 1

R (exposure) = 1 rad (absorbed dose) = 1 rem or 1000 mrem (dose equivalent). Note that a measure given in Ci tells the radioactivity of a substance, while a measure in rem (or mrem) tells the amount of energy that a radioactive source deposits in living tissue.

Answer 2

The roentgen (R) measures the amount of ionizing radiation in the air, while a rem quantifies the biological effect of that radiation on human tissues.