The amount of radiation that an individual absorbs depends on ____?

The amount of radiation that an individual absorbs is influenced by several factors, making "All of the Above" the most comprehensive and accurate answer.

First, the type of radiation plays a significant role because different forms of radiation—such as alpha particles, beta particles, gamma rays, and X-rays—have varying levels of penetration power and biological effects. For example, alpha particles can be stopped by a sheet of paper and pose little outside threat, but can be very harmful if ingested or inhaled.

The duration of exposure is another critical factor. The longer an individual is exposed to radiation, the more significant the total dose absorbed can become. This cumulative effect can lead to increased biological damage, particularly if the radiation is high energy or if the exposure is continuous over a long period.

Distance from the source is also crucial due to the inverse-square law, which states that the intensity of radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Thus, increasing the distance from the radiation source reduces the absorbed dose.

By considering all these elements together, it is clear that the total radiation absorbed by an individual is a combination of the radiation type, exposure duration, and the proximity to the radiation source, making "All of the Above" the correct choice