What is one effect of increasing distance from a radiation source?

Increasing distance from a radiation source effectively reduces exposure levels due to the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation from a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. This means that as the distance increases, the exposure decreases exponentially.

For example, if you double the distance from a radiation source, the exposure level drops to one-quarter of its initial value. This phenomenon occurs because the radiation disperses over a larger area as the distance from the source increases, leading to decreased intensity at any given point. Therefore, moving away from a source is a fundamental safety principle in radiation protection to minimize exposure and its associated risks.