Glossary of terms used on this site
C
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Chromosomes |
Rod-shaped bodies found in the nucleus of cells in the body. They contain the genes, or hereditary constituents. Human beings possess 23 pairs. |
| Collective dose |
Frequently used for collective effective dose. |
| Collective effective dose |
The quantity obtained by multiplying the average effective dose by the number of people exposed to a given source of ionising radiation. Unit man sievert, symbol man Sv. Frequently abbreviated to collective dose. |
| Consumer products |
Personal and household goods such as timepieces, smoke alarms, and gas mantles that contain radioactive material for functional reasons. |
| Cosmic rays |
High energy ionising radiations from outer space. Complex composition at the surface of the earth. |
| Current density |
The electric current or flow of electric charge through a conducting medium, such as tissue, per unit cross-sectional area. Unit ampere per square metre, symbol A m-2. |